Sr Launch Manager

“We Power the Magic!” That’s our motto at Disney Experiences Technology & Digital. Our team creates world-class immersive digital experiences for the Company’s premier vacation brands including Disney’s Parks & Resorts worldwide, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney Vacation Club.

We are responsible for the end-to-end digital and physical Guest experience for all technology & digital-led initiatives across the Attractions & Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Resorts & Transportation and Merchandise lines of business as well as other initiatives including MyDisneyExperience and Hey, Disney!

The Sr. Launch Manager position will be part of the Launch Readiness team in the Digital and Technology organization.  This team will be responsible for the successful launch of large-scale initiatives across the DX TD organization and identifying opportunities to improves included systems before subsequent launches. The launches will focus on Guest-facing applications in the DX line of business including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and all online DX experiences. This team will focus on documenting the steps and cadence required for successful launches, documenting issues and defects identified during launch, and identifying potential system enhancements that are robust, sustainable, and reduce potential Guest issues for future launches.  
 
Based in Orlando, FL, the Sr. Launch Manager reports to the Manager, Launch Readiness, and works with cross-functional teams to deliver web and mobile solutions. The Sr. Launch Manager ensures timely delivery by coordinating with Product, Technology, and Design, and must have strong financial and business acumen.

What You’ll Do:

Project Estimation 

• Facilitate scope definition, and high-level planning, discovery, and estimation workshops for projects with cross-functional teams 

• Quantify cost factors to deliver project deliverables including resources, project oversight, objective risk and related contingency 

 
Launch Planning 

• Create scope definition and drive planning, discovery, and estimation work 

• Create launch runbooks, key contact lists, and break-glass scenario documentation 

• Maintain schedule of key deliverables, milestones, and deliverable tasks 

• Run tabletop meetings with key project contacts to update runbooks, steps, and dependencies 

• Document launch risks and potential mitigations for visibility to senior leadership 

• Facilitate go/no-go decisions with stakeholders and leadership 

Day-of Launch Support 

• Lead command center and Zoom bridge, including driving runbook to ensure tasks are completed in order and on time, getting relevant updates when issues occur, and facilitating issue resolution 

• Use ServiceNow tools to track open incidents discovered during the launch, obtain updates from relevant partners, and drive incident check-in meetings 

• Document learnings from the launch, including updated steps/timings, process gaps, and additional key contacts 

• Executive communications and drive executive check-in meetings 

System Improvements 

• Document learnings from each launch across Product Management, Design, Engineering, vendors, and other key functional delivery teams to inform efforts to deliver the most stable system possible for future launches 

• Document issues/defects identified during launches to help drive actions in relevant systems that improve stability and availability during high utilization periods 

• Provide input into documentation and planning for system improvement opportunities 

• Assist with leveraging appropriate SRE teams to enact needed changes as engineering improvement opportunities arise 

• Ensure needed system monitoring is in place and able to drive improved availability with early alerting and self-healing capabilities 

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in product delivery, launch readiness, or project management with a focus on technology-based launches/deliveries 

• Ability to work collaboratively across large matrixed organizations 

• Demonstrates substantial hands-on experience in project management and launch readiness, including estimation, planning, runbook development, issue resolution, risk assessment, change management, and communication strategy. 

• Has successfully overseen multiple full lifecycle software deliveries, from initial business development through to final software acceptance.

• Well-versed in Agile software development methodologies.

• Experience with driving several projects simultaneously to completion.

• Possesses expertise in managing project budgets and consolidating budgets across multiple initiatives.

• Effectively leads teams with a results-driven approach, delivering successful outcomes.

• Skilled in coaching, mentoring, conflict management, and negotiation.

Required Education 

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work experience