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Data Activation Director

Job ID 10124539 Location New York, New York, United States Business ESPN Date posted Jul. 15, 2025
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Job Summary:

The Media Planning Team at ESPN develops innovative media plans that drive awareness, consumption, subscriptions, and brand affinity across all properties and platforms to affect the ESPN business. 

The Director, Media Data Activation, will focus on supporting the audience data strategy of the holistic ESPN Marketing portfolio across Owned and Paid media. The Director will be responsible for contributing to development, execution and activation of audience strategies across media plans for all ESPN properties. This individual will serve as the expert in ESPN’s first party data collection and activation opportunities to optimize targeted campaign performance and effectiveness. They will work closely with the Media, Marketing, Tech, Analytics and Product teams to build and activate audience targeting segments, educate internal teams on capabilities, and provide audience analysis and insights. The ideal candidate possesses outstanding organizational and communication skills, has superior attention to detail, can provide objective analysis, has the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, work with autonomy, maintain a relentless curiosity to understand how everything connects, while meeting deadlines. This position will report to the VP, Media Strategy & Planning and collaborate closely with others in the group, as well as across ESPN and The Walt Disney Company. This role is located in New York, NYC.

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the audience targeting and data expert for the Media team across owned and paid activations
  • Collaborate daily with the Analytics, Ad Tech & Agency Activation leads to build, evolve, augment and future-proof ESPN’s data strategy
  • Answer internal and external data and audience questions to bolster 1PD usage
  • Analyze and derive actionable insights from campaign and audience data, evaluating top audience usage, performance and sizing and translate findings for future campaigns
  • Steward effective communication and understand needs of brand teams, creative teams and media agencies to share audience specifics to ensure timely launch of on- and off-channel plans
  • Proactively think ahead and work closely with Leadership on long-term planning of audience use cases
  • Support team with data & tagging needs; implementation, reporting and measurement
  • Directly contribute to database growth, hygiene and insights by helping to manage consumer database, data collection, check for accuracy and mine for insights
  • Act as the subject matter expert on DMPS, Data On-boarders and other data platforms, collaborating across TWDC to evolve data strategy
  • Stay current on all tech and trends surrounding data, identity and privacy best practices

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum 10 years of analytics, research, data science, or marketing/media experience. Project management and/or digital advertising experience a plus
  • Proven experience leading and managing a team
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Experience with marketing technology platforms and tools
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Passion for sports and familiarity with ESPN's brand and audience

Required Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Analytics, or a related field

#ESPNMedia


The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $143,600.00 to $192,600.00 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 ESPN:

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. That’s because we’re always finding new ways to interact with fans – however and wherever they connect with sports. Every day we’re doing things that no one has done, all in a dynamic culture where we defy odds and continuously outdo ourselves. When you have the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on your team, every day is extraordinary.

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 ESPN Sales & Marketing, Inc., which is part of a business we call ESPN.

ESPN Sales & Marketing, 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.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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Hiring Process

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