Director, Communications (Walt Disney Imagineering)

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

The Director, Communications, Walt Disney Imagineering is a strategic executive leader responsible for shaping and elevating the communications vision for Walt Disney Imagineering. In this role you will champion compelling storytelling, elevating WDI's internal and executive communications functions and the senior leaders who oversee them, while strengthening trust, reputation, and engagement among internal and external audiences. A core focus of this role is elevating the voices of WDI's senior leadership team through proactive campaigns, and transforming internal storytelling through compelling content, ensuring executives are positioned, prepared and visible as credible storytellers who help build the Imagineering brand. This role reports to the Vice President, WDI Communications.

As Director, Communications, Walt Disney Imagineering, you will lead a team that oversees internal and executive communications, providing strategic guidance to ensure alignment with business priorities. You will inspire a creative, passionate and innovative communications culture that ensures the Imagineering brand and its leaders’ voices resonate with Imagineers, partners, and stakeholders worldwide.

Responsibilities:

• Establish and communicate a long-term vision and strategy for internal and executive communications, ensuring alignment with key company objectives.
• Lead and develop senior managers, guiding them to build high-performing, creative teams across functions while fostering a nimble, creative and optimistic culture.
• Establish clear strategies, expectations, and priorities for communication programs, linking team efforts to business outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to WDI leadership, developing comprehensive communication plans to support objectives and enhance reputation.
• Guide the executive communication team in the development of speeches, talking points, bylines and thought leadership content showcasing WDI leadership as authorities on innovation, technology and creativity.
• Guide the internal communications leadership in transforming internal storytelling through compelling content, town halls, and org communications that keep Imagineers informed, engaged and aligned.
• Find strategic opportunities to elevate executive voices across social and owned channels weaving senior leadership perspectives into content that builds brand equity and extends the reach of the Imagineering story.
• Ensure accountability by setting measurable goals, monitoring performance, and leveraging data to improve impact and ROI.
• Plan and prioritize resources, budgets, and timelines to keep initiatives on track and within budget.
• Champion innovative, digital-forward and on-trend communication approaches to extend the reach and engagement of the Imagineering brand across global audiences.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of professional communications experience, including 5+ in leadership roles. Extensive background specifically in executive communications.
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally.
• Proven leader managing managers and coaching leaders to build and inspire high-performing, diverse teams.
• Experience in creating compelling digital campaigns that elevate executive voices and strengthen brand equity with broader audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute holistic communication and brand strategies that elevate executive voice to build trust, reputation and brand affinity across internal and external audiences.
• Expertise in transforming internal communications through content moving beyond traditional updates to storytelling that engages and informs.
• Strong storytelling, writing and presentation skills with experience shaping executive messaging, talking points or thought leadership content.
• Effective at building and sustaining relationships with senior leadership and offering consulting and influence in matrixed organizations.
• Disciplined organizational and project management skills include managing complex portfolios, budgets, and timelines across functions in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated creativity in elevating brand storytelling, challenging norms while aligning with brand strategy.
• Professional, mature, and politically savvy, adept at handling sensitive information and navigating executive-facing situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in executive communications or internal communications leadership in a Fortune 500 company or an organization of similar complexity, including oversight of senior leaders responsible for these areas.
• Relevant background in industries such as travel, theme parks, entertainment, technology, or similar fields.
• Passion for the Disney brand and delivering outstanding guest experiences.
• Proven track record in developing proactive campaigns to enhance a leader’s or organization’s thought leadership externally, such as through speaking events, published articles, strategic media positioning, and executive social media platforms.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, PR or related field.

Preferred Education:

• Advanced degree in Communications or related discipline.

Additional Information:

• This is an onsite role based in Glendale, California.

The hiring range for this position in California is $185,500.00 to $248,800.00 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.