Business Planning & Operations Manager

About the Role & Team

Disney’s Direct to Consumer (DTC) team oversees the Hulu and Disney+ streaming businesses within the Disney Entertainment segment, helping to bring The Walt Disney Company’s (TWDC) best-in-class storytelling to fans and families everywhere.

The Business Operations team is tasked with critical areas of operating the growing Disney DTC organization, including strategic solution design, planning/ program management and execution of major business initiatives, effective communication and reporting across the organization, business intelligence and decision support, and implementing procedures and processes to help Disney grow, operate and run the company’s streaming services efficiently and at scale.

What You Will Do

Reporting to the Director of Operations - Business and Product Planning, the Business Planning and Operations Manager will collaborate with the Business Operations team, the DTC organization, and stakeholders across The Walt Disney Company to manage, execute, and monitor performance of key strategic initiatives for TWDC’s DTC business and streaming products, including Disney+, Hulu, and bundled offerings. Key partners include leaders from Operations, Programming and Merchandising, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Data, Product, and Engineering.

This Manager will coordinate an array of inputs, analyses, requirements, and execution plans from cross-functional stakeholders to drive core business KPIs such as subscriber acquisition, engagement, retention, profitability, and operational efficiency. They will leverage input from multiple stakeholders to create insightful analyses and actionable plans to meet performance targets.

Additionally, this role will support the development and refinement of processes and documentation to ensure critical planning milestones are met. The manager will also contribute to the creation of key materials and documentation for major initiatives and business plans.

The ideal candidate will have strong business, process, and analytical skills, along with effective stakeholder management and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with DTC and TWDC teams to conduct in-depth analyses and proposals that influence business priorities and ensure effective delivery plans are established and implemented to meet objectives.
• Develop strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across Product, Programming, Marketing, Operations, and international teams to enhance visibility and predictability in major Disney DTC projects and roadmaps.
• Work closely with product managers and business stakeholders to define and communicate detailed business requirements, expected impacts, and implementation plans that align with key initiative goals.
• Identify and address potential risks related to project timelines, scope, or design changes that could impact successful delivery and expected results.
• Partner with colleagues across the organization to coordinate data analysis and aggregate findings, insights, and lessons learned to drive continuous optimization and report to senior executives.
• Collaborate with Finance and Strategy teams on initial analyses of key initiatives, to assess impacts on operating plans, and to monitor performance
• Facilitate the preparation and presentation of materials for senior management to review key initiatives and business performance and to guide future planning.
• Work closely with Technology teams to align stakeholders on roadmap prioritization and project delivery.
• Manage process optimization projects, documentation, and templates to streamline and enhance alignment and processes among DTC business teams, regional teams, and the Technology organization.
• Create, communicate, and oversee detailed project plans, dependencies, resource allocations, schedules, and deadlines.
• Perform additional business operations tasks as required to support ongoing operations and product launch schedules.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Execute deliverables in a highly matrixed and distributed environment.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5 years in similar roles in digital media environments with a business management or analytics role.
• Proficient in Excel and financial modeling for data-driven storytelling.
• Experience in PowerPoint, crafting engaging written materials and concise presentations for senior executives.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing based on business impact.
• Skilled in translating technical details into business implications and communicating effectively with diverse audiences.
• Experienced in leading cross-functional projects in a matrixed corporate environment.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across various disciplines.
• Thrives in fast-paced, dynamic settings.
• Strong business acumen, clear thinking, effective communication, and sound decision-making.
• Outstanding people leadership skills with a talent for influencing diverse audiences.
• Capable of balancing attention to detail with a broader, big picture perspective.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated, energetic, resilient, and adaptable while maintaining a focus on results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong affinity for The Walt Disney Company's brands and franchises
• Experience in direct-to-consumer subscription business within media or entertainment

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field.

Additional Information

• Local to NYC and able to work in office up to 4 days a week.

The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $104,200 to $143,200 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.