Director, Communications (Walt Disney Imagineering)
Job Summary:
Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.
The Director, Communications, Walt Disney Imagineering is a strategic executive leader responsible for shaping and elevating the communications vision for Walt Disney Imagineering. In this role you will champion compelling storytelling, elevating WDI's internal and executive communications functions and the senior leaders who oversee them, while strengthening trust, reputation, and engagement among internal and external audiences. A core focus of this role is elevating the voices of WDI's senior leadership team through proactive campaigns, and transforming internal storytelling through compelling content, ensuring executives are positioned, prepared and visible as credible storytellers who help build the Imagineering brand. This role reports to the Vice President, WDI Communications.
As Director, Communications, Walt Disney Imagineering, you will lead a team that oversees internal and executive communications, providing strategic guidance to ensure alignment with business priorities. You will inspire a creative, passionate and innovative communications culture that ensures the Imagineering brand and its leaders’ voices resonate with Imagineers, partners, and stakeholders worldwide.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and communicate a long-term vision and strategy for internal and executive communications, ensuring alignment with key company objectives.
- Lead and develop senior managers, guiding them to build high-performing, creative teams across functions while fostering a nimble, creative and optimistic culture.
- Establish clear strategies, expectations, and priorities for communication programs, linking team efforts to business outcomes.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to WDI leadership, developing comprehensive communication plans to support objectives and enhance reputation.
- Guide the executive communication team in the development of speeches, talking points, bylines and thought leadership content showcasing WDI leadership as authorities on innovation, technology and creativity.
- Guide the internal communications leadership in transforming internal storytelling through compelling content, town halls, and org communications that keep Imagineers informed, engaged and aligned.
- Find strategic opportunities to elevate executive voices across social and owned channels weaving senior leadership perspectives into content that builds brand equity and extends the reach of the Imagineering story.
- Ensure accountability by setting measurable goals, monitoring performance, and leveraging data to improve impact and ROI.
- Plan and prioritize resources, budgets, and timelines to keep initiatives on track and within budget.
- Champion innovative, digital-forward and on-trend communication approaches to extend the reach and engagement of the Imagineering brand across global audiences.
Required Qualifications:
- 10+ years of professional communications experience, including 5+ in leadership roles. Extensive background specifically in executive communications.
- Ability to travel both domestically and internationally.
- Proven leader managing managers and coaching leaders to build and inspire high-performing, diverse teams.
- Experience in creating compelling digital campaigns that elevate executive voices and strengthen brand equity with broader audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute holistic communication and brand strategies that elevate executive voice to build trust, reputation and brand affinity across internal and external audiences.
- Expertise in transforming internal communications through content moving beyond traditional updates to storytelling that engages and informs.
- Strong storytelling, writing and presentation skills with experience shaping executive messaging, talking points or thought leadership content.
- Effective at building and sustaining relationships with senior leadership and offering consulting and influence in matrixed organizations.
- Disciplined organizational and project management skills include managing complex portfolios, budgets, and timelines across functions in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated creativity in elevating brand storytelling, challenging norms while aligning with brand strategy.
- Professional, mature, and politically savvy, adept at handling sensitive information and navigating executive-facing situations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in executive communications or internal communications leadership in a Fortune 500 company or an organization of similar complexity, including oversight of senior leaders responsible for these areas.
- Relevant background in industries such as travel, theme parks, entertainment, technology, or similar fields.
- Passion for the Disney brand and delivering outstanding guest experiences.
- Proven track record in developing proactive campaigns to enhance a leader’s or organization’s thought leadership externally, such as through speaking events, published articles, strategic media positioning, and executive social media platforms.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, PR or related field.
Preferred Education:
- Advanced degree in Communications or related discipline.
Additional Information:
- This is an onsite role based in Glendale, California.
The hiring range for this position in California is $185,500.00 to $248,800.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
About Disney Experiences:
Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS
The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
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