Manager of Development & Strategies

Walt Disney World; Lake Buena Vista (FL); On-site; USD 121,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and savings benefits

Educational opportunities

Disney benefits

Job summary

Walt Disney World seeks a leader for Development & Strategies to steer asset lifecycle strategies and long-term facilities planning across its multi-site operations.

This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record in architecture/engineering leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring high-performing teams. Report to the Senior Manager-Design Integration; Florida-based role with Disney’s renowned guest-focused culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture, Engineering, CS, or Industrial Engineering.
• Master’s degree in Engineering Management or MBA preferred.
• Licensed Architect or PE license in Florida or reciprocity state.
• 10+ years in multi-disciplinary architecture/engineering, technical environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for asset lifecycle strategies across facility systems.
• Align technical roadmaps with business priorities and cross-functional partners.
• Lead development of integrated facilities planning strategies and asset investment priorities.
• Guide organizational priorities while contributing to planning, assessment and problem solving.
• Inform asset evaluations and investments, addressing risks proactively.
• Lead discipline inspection programs with QA, ES, and IFP teams.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, service-focused culture and mentor the team.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture, Engineering, CS or Industrial Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering Management or MBA

Tools

Autodesk Revit

Forma

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role

Mgr-Development & Strategies is a key leader within Disney Experiences, responsible for guiding a multi-disciplined team of engineers and architecture who develop and optimize facility related strategies and asset management systems across the Walt Disney World Resort.

This role shapes the long-term technical asset strategies and integrated facilities planning to support safe, reliable, and innovative environments that elevate the Guest and Cast experience in our theme parks, resorts, and related operations. This position will report to the Senior Manager-Design Integration.

Responsibilities

In this management role, you will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for asset lifecycle strategies across multiple facility systems. You will align technical roadmaps with business priorities, partner across Disney Experiences to support complex sitewide initiatives, and ensure that facilities projects and asset strategies are creative, customer-focused, and operationally sound. This role matters because it connects long-term facilities planning, data-driven systems, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver reliable, innovative environments for Guests and Cast, requiring a strategic, knowledgeable leader who can prioritize, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team.

• Lead the development and execution of integrated facilities planning strategies, actively shaping scope, technical direction, and asset investment priorities to support long-term portfolio performance.
• Balance strategic leadership with direct contribution, guiding organizational priorities while participating in critical planning, assessment, and problem-solving efforts across the business.
• Apply technical expertise to inform asset evaluations, scope development, and investment decisions, ensuring risks are proactively addressed and resources are aligned to business needs. Lead development of discipline inspection programs partnering with QA, ES, and IFP teams.
• Partner across project management, operations, and engineering organizations to deliver integrated solutions that enhance reliability while protecting the Guest and Cast experience.
• Influence decision-making through trusted relationships, clear communication, and practical insight, connecting enterprise initiatives to effective site-level execution.
• Develop organizational capability through coaching, mentorship, and hands-on leadership, fostering team growth, accountability, and technical excellence.
• Lead by example in creating a collaborative, innovative, and service-focused culture where Disney values are demonstrated through action and results.

Required Qualifications

• Licensed Architect or Professional Engineering (PE) license in Florida or in a state with reciprocity to Florida.
• 10+ years of professional experience in a multi-disciplinary architecture/engineering or technical environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Autodesk Revit and Forma or comparable design and planning applications.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and protocols applicable to facilities, construction, and operational environments.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to envision future possibilities and create breakthrough systems and planning strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and prioritize work aligned with organizational goals, managing multiple complex initiatives in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent collaboration and influencing skills, with experience partnering across multiple lines of business and levels of leadership to resolve issues and drive integration.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics to non-technical peers and executives to support clear decision making.
• Demonstrated experience building, mentoring, and leading high-performing, diverse teams in a collaborative, service-minded, and customer-focused environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as Architecture, Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or MBA.
• Five or more years of experience leading project or organizational teams with salaried direct reports in complex, multi-site or campus environments.
• Experience in themed entertainment, hospitality, or large campus facilities integrating multi-disciplinary design, operations, and planning teams.
• Active participation in professional organizations related to architecture, engineering, facilities management, or systems planning to stay current with industry trends and best practices.

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life! This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

#DXMEDIA #DXFOS

The hiring range for this position in Florida is $120,800.00-$161,900.00 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.