The Walt Disney Company
Manager Design and Delivery – Corporate Real Estate
Burbank, CA
Company
With approximately 133,000 employees, The Walt Disney Company operates 4 distinct businesses
leveraging an unparalleled ability to develop content, market it, distribute it, and explore new methods to
deliver it:
•
•
ƒ
•
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Operation and licensing of 11 theme parks internationally, many operating as multi-park resort
destinations.
Studio Entertainment
Motion picture distribution includes Walt Disney Feature Animation, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood
Pictures, Miramax Films and Dimension Films. Buena Vista International serves as the Studios’
international distribution arm. Buena Vista Theatrical Productions is one of the largest producers of
Broadway musicals, and the Buena Vista Music Group distributes original music and motion picture
soundtracks.
Consumer Products
Products include a vast array of merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home décor and books to
interactive games, foods & beverages, electronics and fine art. In addition, Disney is the largest
licensor in the world, and Disney Publishing is the #1 children’s publisher in the world. Buena Vista
Games brings Disney content to the interactive gaming community, and Baby Einstein produces
developmental media, toys and other products for infants, toddlers and young children.
Media Networks
This business includes television, cable, radio and Disney internet properties, such as
the ABC Television Network including ABC Entertainment, ABC Daytime, ABC News, ABC Sports,
ABC Kids and the Disney-owned production company Touchstone Television. ABC owned Television
Stations operates 10 stations in top markets across the country, and ABC Radio owns 72 stations
nationwide. Cable networks include ESPN, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Toon Disney, and
SOAPnet. There is also Disney’s equity interest in Lifetime, E! Networks, and A&E Television. Buena
Vista Television produces and distributes syndicated programming; Buena Vista International
Television distributes Disney’s series and movies for television outside the U.S. Walt Disney Internet
Group leads the corporate Internet business and technology strategy and manages many of the
Company’s Internet properties. Recently, WDIG launched Disney Mobile, the first wireless service
designed specifically for families.
Culture
Disney is a unique organization both in its products, its successes, and its respect and appreciation for its
employees. The environment at The Walt Disney Company is one in which employees can do their best
work, can stretch and grow in that work, can gain exposure to all the businesses and business leaders
within Disney, and have an impact on a large, complex organization. The Walt Disney Company was just
voted as the #1 place to launch a career and this position within the Corporate Real Estate group will
provide immense exposure to the different business units and client groups within the Disney
organization.
Key Elements of the Position
Reporting directly to the Senior Manager Design and Delivery, the Manager Design and Delivery is
responsible for the management of the design and construction of Tenant Improvement, Ground Up, and
Technology projects within the Corporate Real Estate portfolio. Responsibilities include client interface,
programming, planning, design development, construction document development, construction
management, and financial reporting. As part of the corporate office in Burbank, this position will support
Disney business units operating in the Western United States; most of the focus will be for corporate in
the Burbank and Glendale area, but projects may also include Northern California, Washington, Utah,
Canada, and other territories in the West.
S. Benjamins & Company, Inc., 3020 Old Ranch Parkway, Suite 300, Seal Beach, CA 90740
The Walt Disney Company
Manager Design and Delivery – Corporate Real Estate
Burbank, CA
Key Responsibilities
The Manager Design and Delivery will manage and lead turn-key project management through all phases
of development, from initial analysis through closeout as well as teaming with internal and external
partners to see all projects through to successful and timely completion. This requires an enormous
amount of coordination in order to manage multiple projects, deliverables, milestones, schedules, and
budgets all concurrently.
The Manager Design and Delivery must interface effectively with the following external resources:
• Architects, Designers, and Engineers
• General Contractors and Sub-contractors
• Permit Expeditors and Building Officials
• Public relations (as required)
• Consultants
Internal resources will include partnering with a project team encompassing:
• Design
• Corporate Real Estate
• Sourcing
• Facilities
• Operations
• Corporate Legal
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate IT
The Manager will be responsible for making presentations as well as leading the internal team/external
resources on construction and development efforts to support real estate projects. This will include
updating schedules and reporting tools to track projects and contribute to cost tracking for multiple small
and medium sized projects. The average project load is between 10 to 25 and the project budgetary value
ranges from $15K to $20 million.
Deliverables – 1st Six Months
This position will require demonstrating the capability of handling multiple projects, establishing key
relationships within the Disney organization, communicating effectively within the Disney team and
various client groups, and managing outside consultants and vendors successfully.
•
•
•
Learn the Walt Disney Company processes and culture in order to establish the right relationships
with the respective client group leaders as well as team members.
Create a plan for successfully managing all current, on-going, and new projects.
Accountability, communication, and prioritization for the tasks at hand and being able to quickly ramp
up to learning the Disney style of project management.
Background Required
This position requires a seasoned manager with solid project management skills as well as core
competencies in budgeting and scheduling who will have the ability to handle multiple and complex
projects. The ideal candidate should possess a balanced construction and architectural background.
There will be minimal travel in this role – depending on the size and duration, one to three trips could be
required per project.
Project Management:
• 5 to 7 years of project management experience.
• Strong command of budgeting skills – must be able to “talk the talk” in putting together as well as
understanding budgets on a comprehensive level.
S. Benjamins & Company, Inc., 3020 Old Ranch Parkway, Suite 300, Seal Beach, CA 90740
•
•
•
•
•
The Walt Disney Company
Manager Design and Delivery – Corporate Real Estate
Burbank, CA
Proven experience managing Tenant Improvement and Technology projects in a fast paced
environment.
Able to demonstrate creative problem solving techniques to resolve project issues.
Proven experience in schedule management and consistent on time project delivery.
Direct experience in managing key milestones for project success.
Ability to demonstrate value engineering skills and articulate specific examples of success.
Vendor Management:
• Proven success in managing vendors, including Architects, Contractors, and FF&E manufacturers.
Internal Team Development:
• Ability to support common goals and embrace team achievement over individual needs.
• Proven experience in developing internal partnerships.
Client Relationship Development:
• Demonstrated client service orientation.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with client business units.
• Experience interpreting client needs and translating to project team.
• Ability to manage expectations of business units.
• Ability to consistently meet and exceed client expectations.
General:
• Understanding of the local or regional codes and ordinances that inform a building design.
• Understanding of the entitlements, financial, and public relations implications of a proposed physical
plan.
• Thoroughly proficient at reading and interpreting construction documents, leases, and contracts.
• Understanding of workplace trends that would impact space planning and interior designs.
• An undergraduate degree is required in a development core discipline such as Construction
Management, Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related profession.
• The Manager must have computer proficiency in Microsoft Project including Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint; AutoCAD will be a plus.
What Makes This a Great Opportunity
The Walt Disney Company is top tier “name brand” organization with a worldwide presence. The
company offers a tremendous portfolio of products and services in the entertainment, media, and
consumer products realm. The Disney culture respects knowledgeable professionals who are motivated
to achieve. In addition, there is a tremendous amount of support and available resources for developing
people.
The Manager Design and Development is a highly visible and responsible position that will serve as the
lead from project initiation to completion and will encompass working with many different business
units/client groups at all levels of the organization. This role will provide variation from exposure to many
aspects of the architecture and construction industry in addition to working with the different businesses
within Disney ranging from general office spaces, screening rooms, animation studios, on-site theaters,
and studio lot/soundstages. A possible career path could consist of growth opportunity within the
Corporate Real Estate group nationally or cross-pollinating to other functional areas within Disney upon
successful completion of several years in this project management role.
Attributes for Success
The Manager must be an innovative and creative self-starter who displays an aptitude for learning in a
fast-paced environment. The Manager Design and Development will need to display confidence and
demonstrate wisdom in thinking though situations. This position requires a high energy Manager who is
adept at managing multiple projects, schedules, and budgets while meeting all deliverables and
S. Benjamins & Company, Inc., 3020 Old Ranch Parkway, Suite 300, Seal Beach, CA 90740
The Walt Disney Company
Manager Design and Delivery – Corporate Real Estate
Burbank, CA
milestones in a timely fashion. Individuals who are proactive, collaborative, and demonstrate high integrity
in their actions will fit best in this culture. The Manager must be even-tempered and possess the ability to
effectively deal with all levels of client group management from the senior-most levels of internal
stakeholders to managing outside vendors all the while maintaining poise and confidence in handling
meetings and making appropriate presentations.
Leadership Skills that will be helpful to have:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ability to master technical issues.
Ability to handle detail and complexity.
Ability to simultaneously manage multiple tasks.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to resolve conflict.
Ability to successfully partner with colleagues.
Ability to form partnerships with client representatives to develop win/win solutions.
Other key attributes include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Strong Business Acumen – Display the ability to engage in learning the new business model.
Relationship Oriented – Personable with demonstrated success in developing effective relationships
with team members, internal client groups, and outside vendors will be the key to success in this role.
Strategic and Hands-On – Ability to hold a long-term view balanced by the drive to get things done.
Able to identify key priorities and act appropriately.
Versatility – Mobile and career-minded.
Oral Communication – speak clearly, confidently, and persuasively in positive or negative situations;
listen and get clarification; respond well to questions.
Written communication – write clearly and informatively at a level appropriate to target audience.
Compensation and Benefits
Commensurate with the level of responsibilities described above, the Walt Disney Company offers a
competitive compensation and benefits package.
Contact Information
All interested and qualified candidates should contact:
Jennifer Ringdahl, Recruiting Consultant
S. Benjamins & Company
Direct: 714.923.9554
jennifer@sbcompany.net
S. Benjamins & Company, Inc., 3020 Old Ranch Parkway, Suite 300, Seal Beach, CA 90740