The Walt Disney Company

VP Digital Editorial

The Walt Disney Company$236K — $316K *
Media
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years in digital editorial, journalism, media, or related fields with significant senior leadership experience.
  • 7+ years of experience managing teams and leading multi-layered organizations.
  • Proven success in defining and executing digital editorial strategies within a complex media or sports organization.
  • Exceptional editorial judgment and storytelling expertise across multiple platforms.
  • Strong understanding of digital audience behavior and content distribution.
  • Experience leveraging data and audience insights to inform editorial strategies and drive growth.
  • Robust business acumen with experience managing budgets and connecting editorial strategies to business performance.

Responsibilities

  • Define and drive the digital editorial strategy to enhance ESPN's storytelling leadership.
  • Anticipate consumer behavior and technological shifts to evolve content creation and distribution.
  • Drive audience growth and engagement through distinctive storytelling and innovative content experiences.
  • Leverage audience insights and performance data to inform editorial priorities and investment decisions.
  • Champion innovation in fan engagement with ESPN content while ensuring high editorial quality.
  • Develop a collaborative, innovative, and accountable digital editorial team culture.
  • Manage financial and operational priorities, aligning resources with high-impact business opportunities.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, financial, and other benefits dependent on position and level.
  • Bonus and long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package.
  • Opportunity to work in a dynamic and highly collaborative environment within a major media company.
Full Job Description
Job Posting Title:
VP Digital Editorial

Req ID:


Job Description:

The Vice President, Digital Editorial will be a senior leader responsible for defining and advancing ESPN's digital editorial strategy, ensuring our storytelling remains distinctive, relevant, innovative, and deeply connected to fans. This leader will set the vision for how ESPN creates, packages, distributes, and evolves digital content while balancing editorial excellence, audience growth, innovation, and business performance.

Leading a multi-layered organization of editors, reporters, and digital content leaders, the VP will bring exceptional editorial judgment, strong business acumen, and a deep understanding of evolving consumer behaviors, technology, and the sports media landscape.

What You'll Do

Set the Digital Editorial Vision & Strategy
  • Define and drive a forward-looking digital editorial strategy that strengthens ESPN's leadership in sports storytelling and aligns with broader audience and business priorities.
  • Anticipate shifts in consumer behavior, technology, platforms, and the competitive landscape to evolve how ESPN creates, packages, distributes, and delivers digital content.


Drive Audience Growth, Engagement & Innovation
  • Drive audience growth and engagement through distinctive storytelling, editorial franchises, and innovative content experiences across platforms.
  • Leverage audience insights, performance data, and market trends to inform editorial priorities, investment decisions, and new opportunities for growth.
  • Champion innovation in how fans discover, consume, and engage with ESPN content while maintaining the highest standards of editorial quality, accuracy, and credibility.


Lead the Business & Organization
  • Lead and develop a multi-layered digital editorial organization, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and high performance.
  • Own the financial and operating priorities of the function, ensuring resources and investments are aligned to ESPN's highest-impact audience and business opportunities.
  • Partner across Programming, Product, Technology, Marketing, Research, Sales, Finance, and The Walt Disney Company to connect digital editorial strategy with broader fan experience and business objectives.


Required Qualifications
  • A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in digital editorial, journalism, media, content, or a related field, including significant senior leadership responsibility.
  • A minimum of 7 years of experience leading managers, senior leaders, and multi-layered organizations.
  • Demonstrated success defining and executing digital editorial or content strategies within a complex media, sports, entertainment, or consumer-facing organization.
  • Exceptional editorial judgment and storytelling expertise, with experience overseeing high-profile, complex, and multi-platform content.
  • Deep understanding of digital audience behavior, content distribution, emerging platforms, and the evolving ways consumers discover and engage with content.
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage audience insights, data, and market trends to inform editorial strategy, prioritize opportunities, and drive measurable outcomes.
  • Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, evaluating investments, allocating resources, and connecting editorial strategies to business performance.
  • Proven ability to anticipate industry and consumer shifts and translate them into innovative editorial strategies, capabilities, and experiences.
  • Exceptional leadership capabilities with a track record of building, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams and senior leaders.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence and align senior executives and cross-functional partners within a complex, highly matrixed organization.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to articulate a compelling vision, simplify complexity, and establish credibility across an organization.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Senior leadership experience within sports media, digital publishing, streaming, subscription, or another scaled consumer media business.
  • Deep familiarity with the sports ecosystem, fan behavior, audience development, and the evolving media and technology landscape.
  • Proven success developing distinctive editorial franchises and multi-platform content initiatives that have driven meaningful audience growth and engagement.
  • Experience leading organizational transformation or modernizing editorial operations, capabilities, workflows, and talent.
  • Familiarity with emerging technologies and their implications for content creation, discovery, personalization, distribution, and audience engagement.


Required Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Media, Business, or a related field.
The hiring range for this position in Bristol, CT is $ 236,000.00 to $316,500.00per 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:
ESPN Global Sports & Talent Office

Job Posting Primary Business:
ESPN Next

Primary Job Posting Category:
Editorial - Sports

Employment Type:
Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Bristol, CT, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:
2026-09-01

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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