Art Director
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10136707 Location Anaheim, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Dec. 12, 2025Job Summary:
About the Role & Team:
Walt Disney Imagineering 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.
Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.
The Art Director supports the Portfolio leader and is WDI's front line creative conscience, partnering with Walt Disney Attractions management to ensure the balance of maintaining Disney's high standard of show quality/story telling consistencies along with the needs of the business. The Art Director is directly responsible for creative direction and management of the WDI venue design team, providing design intent for Show Quality Standards, design services, venue planned work, Integrated Facility Plan, and WDI projects.
You will report to the Executive Creative Development, Global Design Services.
This is a Full-Time role.
What You Will Do:
Develop and lead a strong venue design team through complex matrix partnerships.
Provide day-to-day creative direction as empowered by the Portfolio Leader to design disciplines: show designers, graphics, lighting, interns, show writing, character finishing, character concrete, props procurement, animation, architectural, and engineering for larger scale venues or multiple smaller venues and partners.
Influence and negotiate all venue lines of business on creative direction, business strategy, global initiatives, and venue priorities.
Ensure that venue management, LOB and FOS understand the processes of SQS and WDI i.e., Design Services Project Management, Show Awareness Training.
Attend partner Studio meetings (i.e. Safety Organization, Engineering Services, Operations, Foods, Merchandise, Marketing, Entertainment, etc.); design reviews; SQS meetings; walk-throughs with area managers.
Partner with project management organizations to insure schedules, deliverables, and fiscal accountability.
Build strategic relationships with the venue WDI Design Administrator.
Share insights to WDI Creative Senior Leadership on creative direction, business strategy, global initiatives and venue priorities.
Share insights to WDI Creative Senior Leadership on creative direction, business strategy, global initiatives and venue
Required Qualifications & Skills:
Minimum of 3 years internal experience; 8 years external industry experience. Leadership qualities: team builder with client and venue.
Management skills: The ability to direct creative people and project team.
Demonstrated Disney knowledge and an understanding of Disney processes.
The ability to present and sell ideas/concepts to a wide variety of audiences.
Organized, thorough and detail oriented; the ability to prioritize.
Extensive knowledge and use of materials focused on sustainment. Advanced technical knowledge of multiple creative and technical disciplines desired.
Negotiation and ability to make on-the-spot decisions.
The ability to work with ambiguity and to make order out of chaos.
Education:
Degree in Theatre, film, design, fine arts or entertainment
Additional Information:
Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
The hiring range for this position in [location] is $123,700 to $200,900 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.
About Walt Disney Imagineering:
Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.