Regional Director- Operating Participants

Job ID 10148646 Location Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted Apr. 20, 2026

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Job Summary:

Regional Director, Operating Participants – Account Management

Job Overview

The Operating Participants & Real Estate team is responsible for the strategy, tenanting, and oversight of third‑party operators across Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, including retailers, restaurants, hotels, and service providers. The Operating Participants team leverages third‑party brand strength and operational expertise to expand the assortment of complementary offerings at our Resorts, driving length of stay, capturing broader guest demographics on property and generating incremental guest visits from local residents.

The Regional Director, Operating Participants – Account Management, reports to the Director, Operating Participants – Account Management and is based in Orlando, FL. This role is responsible for owning the performance, relationships, and outcomes of an assigned region. The Regional Director sets regional strategy and priorities, leads and develops their team, owns risk and escalation decisions, and drives operational performance. The Regional Director is expected to exercise sound judgment and serve as a trusted relationship owner with Operating Participants (third party tenants) and internal partners.

Responsibilities

REGIONAL STRATEGY & OWNERSHIP

Set regional strategy, priorities, and operating discipline across all portfolios in‑region
Own regional financial performance, risk exposure, and escalation decisions
Balance financial results, guest experience, operational feasibility, and long‑term value creation
Identify regional trends, risks, and opportunities early and proactively plan or delegate actions

LEASE MANAGEMENT & DEAL STRATEGY

Partner with stakeholders to develop overall negotiation and deal term strategy for retail, restaurant, hotel and entertainment leases
Negotiate complex contracts with new or existing Operating Participants, as needed
Implement business unit goals, initiatives, scope of operations, and current issues
Ensure compliance with negotiated contracts with third‑party operators, including adherence to first class operating standards.
Partner with Finance, Legal, Operations, Business Relations, Corporate Alliances and Walt Disney Imagineering to ensure alignment and quality across negotiations and execution
Support forecasting and budgeting of tenant revenues and new project expenses
Lead Operating Participant concept pitches for projects and track progress
Prepare mitigation and contingency plans for active projects
Proactively identify, assess, and communicate applicable risks to Disney stakeholders

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

Act as the primary relationship owner for assigned Operating Participants, balancing tenant advocacy with Disney’s contractual, operational, and brand standards
Influence outcomes through credibility, trust, and effective executive‑level communication
Assist with the development and implementation of global qualitative measures and processes
Provide guidance and support to Disney operational leadership and LOB/functional key stakeholders

TEAM LEADERSHIP

Oversee and maintain departmental operating guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Model accountability, collaboration, and ownership within the team
Develop talent and bench strength through coaching, feedback, and development
Provide clear direction, prioritization, and decision-making, particularly in ambiguous or high-pressure situations

Basic Qualifications

7+ years progressive leadership experience in relevant businesses
3+ years contracting, negotiating and business development experience
Experience in the commercial real estate industry working on retail or restaurant projects
Strong negotiation skills, specifically negotiation of lease agreement deal terms for new leases or renewal of existing lease agreements
Proven experience leading multi-account or portfolio-based businesses with material financial impact
Strong track record in fact-based negotiations or equivalent contract experience
Proven ability to establish relationships, trust and credibility internally and externally
Ability to analyze deal terms to create a financial model of the agreement and understand practical implications of executing each of the terms: develop formal negotiation plans with talking points for each negotiation session; work interactively with legal resources and business unit stakeholders throughout the negotiation process and document final agreement with a package of a signed contact, financial model and preliminary execution plan to communicate with business unit stakeholders
Proven capability to manage and drive strategy, problem solving, and the development of practical business solutions
Proven self-starter; motivated
Proven ability to communicate in a highly organized, persuasive, confident and credible manner when dealing with executive level partners (internally and externally)
Demonstrated success as an effective leader/partner/collaborator
Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining effective business relationships
Demonstrated skills/experience with successful Project Management
Ability to work in a matrixed environment with competing priorities – should have strong multi-tasking abilities
Proven leadership experience and ability to motivate and inspire team members
Skilled verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to facilitate challenging discussions in a professional manner
Solid financial acumen; ability to manage/forecast business trends; understanding of financial statements (P&L, Cash Flow)
Unquestioned ethics, transparency and integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business related field or equivalent

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The hiring range for this position in Lake Buena Vista, Florida is $145,500.00-$177,700.00 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.

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About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

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 Disney Experiences.

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.

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Explore this Location Lake Buena Vista, FL

Lake Buena Vista is home to the Disney Springs retail, dining and entertainment complex, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and several resort hotels are located with the City limits.