Executive Director of Design – Ads

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming our media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to enhance flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Position Overview:

As the Executive Director of Design – Ads, you will assume a pivotal leadership role within our design organization, spearheading the formulation and advancement of the design vision for our entire Ads & Data Platform ecosystem. Your responsibilities extend to collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, where your influence will be crucial in ensuring a seamless and exceptional user experience for both internal stakeholders and external audiences.

The Ads & Data Platform team is responsible for building and delivering the technology that supports Disney’s industry-leading, multi-billion dollar advertising business. Working across all of Disney’s streaming and linear channels, this team’s scope is multifaceted – they impact everything from core infrastructure development to the viewer-first ad formats subscribers see on their screens. Award-winning technologies, like the proprietary Disney Ad Server or DRAX, Disney’s programmatic advertising solution, are the backbone of Disney’s ad business and a key driver of Disney’s future success. What sets Disney’s advertising business apart, and what makes working here such a cool opportunity, is a combination of: world-class advertising technology built in-house, and the most beloved brands, franchises, and content!

Responsibilities:

Strategic Design Leadership:

• Develop and articulate a comprehensive design strategy aligned with business goals for enterprise and media platforms.

• Provide thought leadership on design trends, technologies, and best practices to drive innovation within the organization.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead a team of talented designers, offering mentorship, guidance, and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.

• Ensure the team is well-equipped and motivated to deliver high-quality designs that elevate the Disney brand.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, marketers, and other stakeholders to define and implement design solutions that meet business objectives.

• Champion a user-centric design approach, advocating for the needs and preferences of our diverse audience.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience (12+ years) in design leadership roles, with a specific focus on Ads experience with strong visual and craft eye, of which 7 or more years of management experience

• Strong portfolio showcasing a track record of successful design projects.

• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.

• Bachelor's degree required, MBA or technical degree preferred

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $199,000.00 to $266,800.00 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.

Job ID: 10093846

Location: Glendale,California

Job Posting Company: Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

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, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.