The Walt Disney Company

Sr Manager Product Management

The Walt Disney Company$188K — $252K *
Media
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of product management experience, including 4+ years in a people management role within relevant sectors.
  • Track record in developing and mentoring Product Managers and setting development plans.
  • Experience managing complex dependencies and joint planning cycles in a matrixed organization.
  • Knowledge of integrating platform products with cloud-based APIs and services.
  • Strong grasp of AI/ML technologies and their application in digital media and workflows.
  • Ability to balance long-term strategy with day-to-day execution, prioritizing based on business value and technical feasibility.
  • Skilled in user research and translating business needs into strategic product direction.

Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Product Managers.
  • Establish a long-term vision and roadmap for AI-driven Content Intelligence products.
  • Navigate complex product landscapes to deliver impactful business results.
  • Shape operational plans and execution frameworks for product success.
  • Identify and manage cross-team dependencies to ensure synchronized deliveries.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts to stakeholders at all levels effectively.
  • Drive alignment and support for multi-team capital initiatives across the organization.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical coverage and financial benefits.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
  • Collaborative work environment fostering innovation and diversity.
  • Engagement with cutting-edge technologies in content platforms.
  • Access to Disney's rich brand and storytelling legacy.
Full Job Description
Job Posting Title:
Sr Manager Product Management

Req ID:


Job Description:

Job Summary:

The Content Intelligence team is seeking a visionary Senior Manager of Product Management to lead a team of high-performing Product Managers responsible for our AI-assisted product portfolio. Serving as a strategic leader and organizational bridge, you will set the long-term vision, operational strategy, and product roadmap for advanced technologies that intelligently analyze, enrich, and localize Disney's world-class content catalog.

In this role, you will lead through influence and direct management, building a high-performing product team while establishing a strong, product-led culture. You will navigate high-ambiguity spaces to incubate new product lines while ensuring existing automated workflows deliver significant, near-term business value. You will partner with executive stakeholders across Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and regional business teams to align priorities, manage resources, and deliver on high-impact capital initiatives.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

People Leadership, Talent & Culture Development
  • Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of professional and experienced Product Managers.
  • Ensure the product team maintains high technical and functional competence through strategic headcount planning, recruitment, career coaching, and performance management.
  • Foster a collaborative, diverse, and psychologically safe environment that inspires passion, innovation, and a strong product-led culture across the organization.


Portfolio Vision & Product Strategy
  • Set the long-term vision and roadmap for a portfolio of media-based Content Intelligence AI products providing capabilities to peer teams, and ensure these dovetail seamlessly through proactive, joint planning cycles and clear communication.
  • Navigate highly complex, unstructured, or undefined problem spaces, establishing clear execution paths and deliver concrete, high-impact business outcomes.
  • Champion user-centric innovation and establish team-wide standards and product management best practices to ensure products continuously deliver strategic business value.


Operational Execution & Resource Allocation
  • Shape the operating plans, structures, and execution frameworks to ensure the collection of products achieves significant, measurable business outcomes.
  • Proactively identify, map, and de-risk cross-team dependencies, establishing shared milestones with peer teams to ensure synchronized product delivery.
  • Manage organizational constraints; obtain, negotiate, and allocate product and engineering resources to meet strategic priorities. Guide the team in utilizing modern product discovery and analytical frameworks to evaluate complex operational challenges, balancing short-term execution with long-term portfolio scalability.


Executive Stakeholder Management & Communication
  • Serve as an expert communicator and trusted advisor to executive leadership.
  • Translate highly complex technical paradigms and AI concepts into simple, compelling narratives to secure executive buy-in, manage expectations, and resolve high-stakes conflicts independently.
  • Represent the Content Intelligence product strategy to external industry partners and internal executive stakeholders alike, tailoring communication effectively from engineers up to C-suite leadership.


Cross-Portfolio Governance & Capital Programs
  • Lead alignment across organizational boundaries and peer platform teams to successfully deliver complex, multi-team capital initiatives.
  • Drive the business case development, cost/benefit analysis, and ROI modelling necessary to support and secure funding for major capital programs.
  • Partner with technical leaders to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the technical landscape, ensuring that your team's product roadmap respects underlying architecture and technical constraints.


Basic requirements:
  • 10+ years of product management experience, with 4+ years of formal people management experience; preferably within digital platforms, media services, and/or media supply chains.
  • Proven track record of managing and developing other Product Managers, including setting professional development plans, driving recruiting/headcount planning, and establishing product management standards across a team.
  • Experience executing joint planning cycles, managing complex upstream/downstream dependencies, and co-authoring shared roadmaps with peer teams in a highly matrixed, bi-coastal, or international organization.
  • Experience managing platform products that integrate with first- and third-party cloud-based APIs and services.
  • Strong understanding of the current AI/ML landscape and evolving model capabilities, with proven experience applying these technologies, preferably to digital platforms, media services, or media supply chain workflows.
  • Proven ability to balance "dual horizon" high-level strategic roadmap formulation with daily tactical execution and decision-making. Skilled at translating long-term initiatives into immediate, actionable delivery plans and operating plans, while allocating resources and driving feature prioritization based on business value, technical risk, and engineering effort. Demonstrated capability to develop robust, data-driven business cases focused on cost-to-benefit ratios and vendor cost optimization.
  • Proven ability to align, influence, and negotiate priorities with executive stakeholders, with a demonstrated skill to appropriately tailor and present complex information and product vision to a range of audiences.
  • Experience guiding teams to conduct user research, workflow analyses, and process observation sessions to identify operational challenges and translate customer needs into comprehensive product requirement documents and strategic product decisions.
  • Excellent understanding of the latest product management frameworks and theories, with practical experience establishing Agile, Scrum, or Lean operating models to drive iterative delivery across multiple squads.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and informed decision-making abilities in a digital organization. Experienced in guiding teams to evaluate and implement emerging technology and AI/machine learning solutions based on fit, viability and trade-offs.
  • Highly self-motivated, able to work autonomously under tight timelines, and adapt quickly and pivot effectively as business strategies, operational needs, and product priorities evolve.


Preferred requirements:

You don't need to meet all of these, but it would be advantageous to meet one or more.
  • Experience working in the Media and Entertainment industry, with direct exposure to the media supply chain.
  • Deep understanding of Generative AI and machine learning models from a product development and integration perspective.
  • Strong passion for and interest in Disney brands, storytelling, and the evolution of content experiences.


Education:
  • Bachelor's degree and equivalent experience.
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or an advanced technical degree preferred.
The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles is $188,400 to $252,600 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.

Job Posting Segment:
Content Platforms & Operations

Job Posting Primary Business:
CO - Distribution Platforms

Primary Job Posting Category:
Product Management Tech

Employment Type:
Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Glendale, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:
2026-09-15

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

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