The Walt Disney Company

Principal Technical Program Manager

The Walt Disney Company$187K — $252K *
Media
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of relevant experience
  • Proven ability to facilitate effective communication across teams
  • Strong planning, delivery, and problem-solving skills
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience in a media technology environment is a plus
  • Knowledge of user access and authentication technologies or willingness to learn
  • BA/BS or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

  • Drive activities for high-complexity, strategic technical programs
  • Develop comprehensive plans and timelines with all dependencies
  • Forecast progress and proactively manage risks and issues
  • Effectively communicate program status and updates to stakeholders
  • Ensure accountability of all parties involved in deliverables
  • Facilitate all program build activities including QA as per plans
  • Collaborate with peers to align activities across multiple tech teams
  • Track key program metrics and provide timely reporting

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, financial, and other benefits
  • Possibility of bonus and/or long-term incentive units based on performance
  • Working in a dynamic and innovative environment at Disney
  • Opportunity to influence high-impact technology strategies
Full Job Description
Job Posting Title:
Principal Technical Program Manager

Req ID:


Job Description:

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Product & Technology

The Business Operations team helps guide and articulate technology strategy and research, and is responsible for driving the day-to-day operation of the Product & Technology organization, including: project and portfolio management and tracking; organization-level capital, space, and resource management and allocation; process management; technical incident management; and our administrative and workplace experience support team.

Job Summary:
• This is a staff position within the DE&E Product & Technology: Business Operations - Technical Program Management organization.
• The Principal Technical Program Manager will focus on the planning and execution of programs of the highest complexity and priority across the Identity Alliance and between other Alliances. They often also assist with the triage of other programs to help form recommendations to senior leadership.
• This position requires expert experience in program management, serving as a subject matter expert for guidance in the discipline.
• Ideal candidates must be highly proactive, detail-oriented, and able to autonomously work on multiple assignments.
• They must be capable of attaining expertise in domain details and clearly communicate schedules, risks, status, and processes to a variety of business and technical audiences.
• They must be able to partner with closely with other technical program managers and technical leads to coordinate schedules and deliverables.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:
• Drive activities for large, strategic, technical programs of the highest complexity, risk, and strategic priority
• Develop plans and timelines, accounting for all dependencies
• Forecast and ensure transparency of progress and issues/risks. Proactively drive risk mitigation and contingency planning, along with issue resolution
• Communicate status, updates, and program summaries via presentations, email, and direct communication with key stakeholders and executive leadership
• Ensure that all involved parties understand and accept their roles and responsibilities and are held accountable to their deliverables
• Facilitate all build activities (including QA), as per plan
• Own and proactively drive, track, and report on budgets
• Collaborate with other program management colleagues to coordinate activities across multiple technology teams
• Strong understanding of all program domain technical components, including architecture, tools and deployment practices that development team is employing, including cross-system interactions and dependencies
• Perform capacity planning for teams
• Track and report key program metrics, informing stakeholders as appropriate
• Partner with Product to facilitate advancement of intake pipeline, helping to triage programs to make recommendations to senior leadership
• Serve as subject matter expert and "go to" person for guidance in program management discipline
• Independently manage activities and resolve conflict within associated teams, with minimal influence from management
• Effortlessly sift through "noise" and facilitate discussions and activities with a laser focus towards results
• Navigate the TWDC to effectively drive progress, even when the scope of responsibilities may be unclear
• Exemplify leadership characteristics through collaboration, work ethic, and creative thinking. Strive to inspire others and deliver the best possible outputs
• Coordinate with external vendors, where applicable
• May manage smaller teams of professional employees related to area of focus or expertise
• Define, optimize, and manage Agile ceremonies and processes at the team-of-teams level

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

Basic Qualifications
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Proven ability to facilitate effective communication across disparate teams
• Evidence of strong planning, delivery, and problem-solving skills
• Superb written and verbal communications, presentation skills, and meeting facilitation skills (especially when working with senior leadership)

Preferred Qualifications
• Formal project management certifications

Experience with:
• Experience working in a media technology environment
• User access and authentication technology domain knowledge, or demonstrated aptitude for learning a technology-based engineering domain

Required Education
• BA/BS or equivalent experience required

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco is $187,900 to $252,000 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 Posting Segment:
Business Operations

Job Posting Primary Business:
BO - Global Program Management

Primary Job Posting Category:
Project Management Tech

Employment Type:
Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
San Francisco, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:
2026-08-04

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company started as a cartoon studio and evolves into sports coverage and television shows. Using the company's portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services, and consumer products, Walt Disney seeks to develop creative, innovative, and profitable entertainment experiences and related products.

The Walt Disney Company Careers

Join the magical world of The Walt Disney Company, a place where dreams come true and imagination meets innovation. As a global leader in entertainment and media, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that invite you to be part of a beloved brand known for its influential culture, diversity, and dynamic growth. Work You’ll Do Embark on a career journey with The Walt Disney Company and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of media and entertainment. Engage in work that matters, contributes to storytelling excellence, and brings joy to millions around the globe. Transform your professional life by joining a team that values creativity, leadership, and visionary thinking. The Walt Disney Company stands at the forefront of industry innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in entertainment and beyond. Lead with us from a unique position in the marketplace, where your skills in technology, creativity, and management converge to create extraordinary experiences. Collaborate with a diverse group of talented professionals, united in their passion for delivering magical experiences. Our team at The Walt Disney Company is composed of over 200,000 dedicated individuals who thrive in an environment that fosters growth, mentorship, and innovation. Introducing The Walt Disney Company Leadership and Professional Growth Programs We are committed to developing leaders who can navigate the challenges of the digital era and drive success across our various business segments. Our leadership programs are designed to hone your skills and prepare you for executive roles within the company. Do Innovative Work Join our team and contribute to projects that redefine the entertainment landscape. From groundbreaking films and television series to pioneering technological advancements, your work at The Walt Disney Company will set new standards in the creative and business worlds. Be Part of a Great Team Experience a culture that is inclusive, collaborative, and forward-thinking. Work alongside the best in the business and see how diversity and inclusion fuel our creativity and success. The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to a diverse workforce is evident in our hiring practices, training programs, and our everyday operations. Future-Proof Your Career With a wide array of benefits, continuous learning opportunities, and a network of supportive colleagues, your career at The Walt Disney Company is equipped for longevity and success. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health care, employee discounts, and access to exclusive company events and previews. Explore Job Opportunities and Internships Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student seeking a transformative internship, The Walt Disney Company offers positions across a spectrum of fields and disciplines. Explore our career portal to find job opportunities that match your skills and passions. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions, apply through our streamlined application process, and take the first step towards a magical career. We look for individuals who are passionate, curious, and eager to contribute to our legacy of storytelling and innovation. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with the latest company news, career tips, and insider perspectives—all from the people who make The Walt Disney Company a place of inspiration and excitement. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and updates that align with your career interests. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at The Walt Disney Company. Join us, and be part of the magic that only happens here at The Walt Disney Company!
Learn more about The Walt Disney Company
Size
190,000 employees
Market Cap
$155.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$4.9 billion
Founded
1923
5 Year Trend
+3.9%
Revenue
$60.7 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at The Walt Disney Company

More Media Jobs

Find similar Principal Technical Program Manager jobs: