Director, Corporate Development (Mergers & Acquisitions)

The Walt Disney Company; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 251,000 - 307,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company in Burbank is seeking a Director of Corporate Development to lead and execute complex M&A, JV, and equity investment opportunities across global media and entertainment segments. You will build and present robust financial models, valuation work, and deal theses for senior leadership, partnering with strategy, tax, and legal teams.

This role requires a track record of managing large-scale transactions, strong leadership, and the ability to navigate a fast-paced,

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading corporate development in large orgs.
• Strong M&A evaluation, valuation, due diligence, and deal execution skills.
• Advanced financial modeling and synthesis of data for exec decisions.
• Ability to assess media/entertainment/tech market trends and opportunities.
• Leadership, influence, and mentorship in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation, structuring, and execution of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, equity investments, and divestitures.
• Collaborate with strategy, tax, accounting, treasury, and legal to develop transaction theses and build robust financial models.
• Make clear, data-driven recommendations to senior leadership and the Board.
• Monitor global media/entertainment trends to identify risks and opportunities across Disney’s portfolio.
• Provide coaching and development to team members to sustain high performance.

Skills

Corporate development leadership

M&A deal execution

Financial modeling

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Industry knowledge (media/entertainmen

Education

Bachelor’s in Business/Finance/Economics

MBA (preferred)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Director, Corporate Development (Mergers & Acquisitions)

Job ID 10163535 Location Burbank, California, United States Business The Walt Disney Company (Corporate) Date posted Oct. 29, 2026

The Corporate Development group at The Walt Disney Company is a team of approximately ten professionals with backgrounds in media & technology, investment banking, private equity, and consulting, who serve as in-house advisors to the company’s senior executive leadership on key inorganic growth opportunities globally and who negotiate and execute M&A transactions. The department’s activities and accomplishments have contributed to the growth and success of many of the company’s business units across the Disney Entertainment, Sports, and Disney Experiences segments.

Examples of work completed include:

• Acquisitions: NFL Media Assets, 21st Century Fox, Hulu, BAMTech, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar
• Joint Ventures: Combination of Hulu + Live TV and Fubo, Merger of Star India with Viacom18
• Investments: Minority stakes in WEBTOON, Epic Games, Premier Lacrosse League
• Divestitures: A+E Global Media, Endemol Shine, FoxNext Games, Fox’s 22 Regional Sports Networks

Responsibilities:

• Lead the evaluation, structuring, and execution of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, equity investments, and divestitures, including valuation, due diligence, and deal negotiation.
• Collaborate with business units and cross-functional deal teams including strategy, tax, accounting, treasury, and legal to develop transaction theses, build sophisticated financial and operating models, and analyze financial impacts.
• Make clear recommendations to senior leadership through robust research and analysis.
• Monitor, assess, and analyze critical media and entertainment trends worldwide to identify strategic opportunities and risks across Disney’s portfolio.
• Provide continuous coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to team members, building a strong leadership bench and high-performing culture.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience leading corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or related functions within large, complex organizations, with a strong track record in media, entertainment, technology, or branded consumer sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluating and executing M&A transactions, joint ventures, equity investments, and divestitures, including valuation, financial modeling, and deal execution.
• Strong analytical capabilities and advanced financial modeling skills, with the ability to synthesize complex quantitative and qualitative data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for senior executives.
• Ability to assess and interpret global media and entertainment trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscapes to inform investment decisions.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and business acumen, with a results-oriented, decisive, and innovative approach to complex corporate challenges.
• Highly effective communication and presentation skills, including the ability to develop cogent arguments and present them concisely and persuasively to executive leadership and the Board.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to influence senior stakeholders and inspire cross-functional teams in a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in rapidly changing, high-pressure environments, managing multiple high-priority projects with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• High energy level, strong work ethic, integrity, discretion in handling confidential information, and a proactive, independent, and creative problem-solving mindset.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, including 5+ years in leadership roles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in corporate development roles within media, entertainment, technology, or branded consumer-focused companies.
• Advanced degree such as an MBA from a top business school.
• Experience collaborating with diverse, cross-functional teams across regions and cultures.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

The hiring range for this position in California is $251,000 to $306,600 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.

This position is with Disney Worldwide Services, Inc., which is part of a business we call The Walt Disney Company (Corporate).

Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. 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.

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 (opens in new window). 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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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.

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