Senior Manager, Live Events & Integrated Mktg

Senior Manager, Integrated Marketing & Live Events, MENA

About the role & team :

Responsible for leading the integrated GTM plans for The Walt Disney Company’s Franchises (incl Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Princess, Mickey & Friends etc) and how they are represented to customers across Disney businesses and MENA markets.

Lead franchise marketing campaigns which are cross line-of-business (xLOB) and focused on the core franchises and tent-pole moments throughout the year, driving brand reach and awareness with our customers.

As a core member of the MENA marketing team, this role will work across TWDC with all LOBs in a cross-functional capacity to seek-out and optimize xLOB opportunities, and work closely in sync with the Brand and Franchise Marketing EMEA team, based in London.

Acts as the Disney Brand champion, responsible for local approvals and understanding sensitivities on TWDC brand activities and third-party led events.

Leads the MENA CSR initiatives and staff VoluntEARS program.

Areas of Responsibility

• Leads xLOB initiatives and across the teams in an integrated way to ensure that our core Brands and Franchises are proactively supported and optimized across all touchpoints in MENA markets.

• Leads EMEA Corporate Brand approval procedures for all internal and external activity, paying particular attention to local market sensitivities whilst ensuring brand consistency and alignment.

• Knows the Disney brands and content intimately & uses that knowledge to come up with & drive innovative project and partnership ideas.

• Works closely with the Live Events teams across Disney (EMEA, Local and US) & agents/promotors to ensure events happening in MENA (incl. Disney On Ice, Disney Jr Live On Tour etc) are approved, optimized for the region and, critically, that all opportunities for xLOB activations have been identified, planned accordingly and actioned.

• Works with EMEA regional Brand & Franchise Marketing team to create and lead local marketing campaigns for TWDC brands and franchises.

• Owns IM relationship with local LOBs for Brand and Franchise Marketing, leading updates, incl annual research and driving the syncronised Brand and Franchise calendar.  (Networks, DTC, DCP, Studios, DMG, DTG, DDI – Marketing, PR, Digital & Creative teams).

• Activates and deploys annual Brand and Franchise marketing budgets to deliver maximum impact for our brands.

• Follows short and long-term strategy of the core Brands with regional teams and makes sure the brand strategies and timings are reflected to all MENA campaigns correctly.

• Owns internal and external approval procedures and makes sure all activity is approved and in-line with TWDC brand guidelines.

• Leads on MENA CSR initiatives incl VoluntEARS program, coordinating the team, developing the plan and committing the CSR budget on approved activities, working with Make-A-Wish and other approved third-parties.

Experience & skills:

• Minimum 10+ years proven work experience in a marketing capacity with significant & direct experience of management and guardianship of world-class brands, preferably in the media & entertainment industry.

• Demonstrable experience of internal and external stakeholder management, preferably in a global, matrixed global MNC environment.

• Deep understanding of local MENA culture and sensitivities, Arabic language is a plus.

• Excellent team player with leadership skills and positive can-do attitude.

• Ability to work in a highly collaborative matrixed environment with both internal and external clients.

• Excellent coordination, organization and time management skills working to strict deadlines whilst being patient and calm under stress.

• Highly organized, has ability to multi-task, prioritize across multiple projects in various stages of development.

• Creative, project-oriented, strategic, highly motivated, energetic, convincing & self-confident.

• Excellent decision-maker, self-starter and takes the initiative.

• Experience to work in a cross-cultural environment will be an asset.

• Passion for world-class brands and the positive impact brands can have on the local markets they operate in.

• Knowledge of and passion for TWDC brands and franchises.

• Excellent direct and indirect people management skills.

• Advanced Business English – written & spoken. Arabic is a plus.

• Excellent negotiation skills and understanding of value-exchange with partners.

• Strong verbal and written communication, presentation skills, comfortable with presenting to large audiences and on camera.

• High PC proficiency, especially in MS suite.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.