Sr Manager, Communications - OTE & Disney Accelerator

At Disney, technology is magic. It enables the blending imagination and innovation, creates amazing experiences, and builds meaningful connections between people and the entertainment and stories they love. Our ability to marry world-class technological know-how with one-of-a-kind creativity makes us unique. It is an indispensable part of who we are and what we do, and is at the heart of our past, present, and future. We are Storytellers and Innovators. Creators and Builders. Entertainers and Engineers. We are dreaming and doing at the intersection of art & science. Simultaneously cutting edge…and timeless.

Technological work at Disney is wide-ranging and deeply sophisticated. From software engineering and data science to development and design of iconic, globally-scaled streaming, sports, and entertainment products like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, ABC, ABC News, Nat Geo, and more. From AI and Machine Learning, to AR, VR, and converging media innovations. From bringing to life the creative vision of the world’s top storytellers, to powering the experiences that touch lives and create memories, to driving innovation with incredible partners. On any given day, we’re reimagining the ways people watch, read, and experience the world’s most beloved stories and products; how they engage with the passion of sports; and how we deliver Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content to hundreds of millions of people on their devices and in their homes.

Job Summary:

The Communications team for Disney Entertainment & ESPN is seeking an experienced, energetic, and creative Senior Manager of Communications to play a key role as a day-to-day Communications lead supporting our Office of Technology Enablement and the Disney Accelerator program.

The Office of Technology Enablement (OTE) was created to establish Disney as a progressive, innovative, and responsible leader in important and fast-moving areas of technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mixed Reality (XR). Its purpose is to foster a culture of innovation and experimentation across the segments of The Walt Disney Company, encouraging and enabling exploration, adoption, and use of these technologies in strategically aligned ways, while promoting a mindset that reinforces Disney’s history of embracing emerging technologies.

The Disney Accelerator Program is one of the leading corporate accelerator programs in the world. Through Disney Accelerator, each year a select few venture-backed, growth-stage startups gain access to the range of creative expertise and resources of The Walt Disney Company to help them develop new entertainment experiences and products. The Disney Accelerator provides participating companies with investment capital, access to co-working space at Disney’s creative campus and mentor support and guidance from top Disney executives.

This Communications role will demand a dynamic and nimble 360-degree communicator – able to handle external, internal, leadership, and technical communication across a number of topics. They will need to be equal parts communicator, strategist, innovative spirit, and technology translator. They must understand complex technological concepts and trends and clearly, concisely devise strategies for 360-degree communications strategies that effectively reach and influence audiences inside and outside Disney and then execute against those plans and help develop the materials and storytelling needed to do so.

The day-to-day focus of the job is to work with the VP of Communications and other members of the Product & Technology Communications team to support the year-round Communications objectives and needs of the OTE and Disney Accelerator groups. They will develop, manage, and execute internal and external communications strategies, create visual and written storytelling content, strategic positioning and messaging.

The ideal candidate will have detailed knowledge of the technology sector – and in particular have some knowledge of, experience with, and passion for emerging technologies. They will have worked in both a corporate environment and touched the dynamic technology startup world. They have worked with product managers, engineers, designers, and founders and have experience making complex technology understandable to wider audiences – explaining not only what…but how…and why it matters.

They will have at least 7 years of public relations/communications experience, embrace a fast-paced environment, and be comfortable working through change while maintaining composure, optimism and curiosity. Self-motivation, proactivity, strong organizational skills, positive team-oriented attitude, and a love of technology and media are important attributes.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a day-to-day lead point of contact for Disney’s Office of Technology Enablement and the Disney Accelerator Program, supporting the VP of Communications and the wider Communications team in all activities related to the communications needs of both groups.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-faceted, matrixed team that supports the communication strategy and execution – internally and externally.
• Craft compelling narratives, press releases, articles, and thought leadership to educate Disney employees on emerging technologies and showcasing
  • Disney’s strategic XR & AI initiatives
  • The Disney Accelerator Program
• Interact with senior executives and strategic operations teams at both OTE and Disney Accelerator to identify key goals and priorities, assist in preparing materials for executive speaking engagements, and advise and guide them in public/press interactions.
• Actively monitor media to identify trends, target press, and thought leadership opportunities to secure and manage stories with press, appearances in key strategic industry events.
• Identify, develop, and maintain tools for the Communications team to help establish and advance best practices in the corporate communications sector
• As appropriate, serve as a spokesperson for the company.

In support of Disney’s Office of Technology Enablement (OTE):

• Work with the VP of Communications, OTE leaders and other partners (including legal, policy, corporate communications, and more) to create external and internal communications strategies and plans around AI and XR.
• Develop a strong, effective and daily collaboration with the OTE strategic operations & initiatives team to understand the key needs, priorities and strategies of the group, and determine how to best support them from a communications standpoint.
• Work with OTE team to keep key audiences internally aware and informed about AI & XR news, trends and resources
• Work with the VP of Communications, OTE leaders and other partners (including Disney segment Comms teams, legal, more) to continuously evolve a year-round external and internal communications strategy that articulates Disney’s innovation and responsible engagement with emerging technologies such as XR and AI.
• Create external communications content and materials including press releases, blog posts, storytelling content, media pitches, talking points, and more.
• Manage the external communications review and approval process for OTE.
• Develop internal communications content for various channels, including intranet, email, messaging platforms, and more.
• Work closely with other Internal Communications leads both within the immediate team and across the Company.
• Work with senior leadership to track communication performance, trends, and opportunities.
• With the VP of Communications and other Communication team members to manage any Communications issues.

In support of the Disney Accelerator Program:

• Support year-round communications for the Disney Accelerator Program.
• Develop a strong, effective and regular collaboration with the Accelerator program administrators and leaders to understand the key needs, priorities and strategies, and how to best support them from a communications standpoint.
• Work with the VP of Communications, Disney Accelerator leaders, and other partners (including Disney segment Comms teams, legal, more) to create a year-round external and internal communications strategy that tells the story of Disney’s commitment to innovation through the Disney Accelerator. This includes announcements of program companies, collaborative initiatives with Disney Accelerator companies (past and present), internal spotlights, deal announcements, the annual Demo Day event, and more.
• Proactively position Disney Accelerator as the premier corporate accelerator program, an innovation engine for Disney, and a program that is supporting the advancement of growth stage startups and adding value & innovation to Disney.
• As part of a cross-functional event team, drive the success of Disney Accelerator’s annual Demo Day, including supporting the development of narrative, script preparation and editing, coordination with participating companies, securing press attendance and managing stories with press before, during, and after the event.
• Create external communications content and materials including press releases, blog posts, storytelling content, media pitches, talking points, and more.
• Identify and manage targeted, effective external speaking opportunities for Disney Accelerator program leaders.
• Develop internal communications content for various channels, including intranet, email. Messaging platforms, and more.
• Work with senior leadership to track communication performance, trends, and opportunities.
• Coordinate with Disney Accelerator companies on all external communication around their role in the Program, as well as any topics, issues or opportunities that could reflect (positively or negatively) on Disney in public.

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in communications and public relations, with significant experience in both internal and external communications, and working in the technology and media industries.
• Must have: 
  • Experience building corporate narratives, developing and executing strategic communication plans, and coordinating events.
  • Knowledge of, experience with, and passion for emerging technologies such as AI & XR.
  • Strong ethics. Must be highly trustworthy and responsible with confidential information.
  • Team-oriented – a willingness to take on jobs big and small and make everybody around them better.
  • Experience working with technologists (product managers, engineers, designers) and making complex technology understandable to wider, non-technical audiences.
  • Resilience: managing multi-stakeholder projects, thriving in a fast-changing landscape, and embracing change.
  • Confidence to share an informed point of view and the emotional and professional intelligence to determine the most effective time and method to do so.
  • Excellent oral/written communication skills are an absolute must.
  • Exceptional organizational and project management skills in all aspects of job performance with strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, create documents quickly and communicate effectively under pressure of time constraints.
  • Proactive self-starting mentality with strong creative thinking and the ability to take initiative with projects and anticipate issues of concern.
• Willingness and availability to work evenings and weekends as well as travel for work/production/events as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in both a corporate environment and the media and technology startup world.
• Existing relationships with tech, business and trade press preferred.
• Experience and baseline proficiency with all or many of the following: 
  • Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Media Encoder, Firefly
  • Keynote
  • Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Teams, and coPilot   
  • Google G Suite (including Gemini)
  • Canva
  • Trello
  • Smartsheet   
• Video project management and/or production is a plus.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank is $137,200-$183,900 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.