Franchise Strategy & Location-Based Experiences Manager

Job ID 10150801 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted May 22, 2026

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Job Summary:

Franchise Strategy and Location-Based Experiences Manager

Disney Parks International

Summary

The Franchise Strategy and Location-Based Experiences Manager supports the development and execution of franchise strategies for Duffy and Friends and project management for Disney Location‑Based Experiences (DLBE) within Disney Parks International (DPI). This role contributes to cross‑site coordination, strategic analysis, and executional support, partnering closely with franchise leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders to deliver cohesive, on‑brand, and commercially effective initiatives in a highly matrixed environment.

This position reports to the Director, Franchise Strategy & Management and Location‑Based Experiences supporting defined workstreams under the guidance of senior leaders. This onsite role can be based in Glendale, CA or Hong Kong.

What You Will Do:

Cross‑Portfolio Coordination & Project Execution

Support the development and execution of select initiatives for Duffy & Friends and DLBE by coordinating inputs across sites, lines of business, and internal partners.
Act as an integration point for assigned workstreams by supporting alignment across creative, commercial, and operational stakeholders; tracking progress against key milestones; and proactively flagging risks and dependencies.
Assist in preparing strategic materials, presentations, and updates for leadership reviews, forums, and working sessions, as well as regular reports to senior leadership.
Support team operations by managing project workflows and asset tracking tools (including Adobe Workfront), maintaining IP specific approval workflows, and ensuring visibility, compliance, and on time coordination across portfolios.
Partner closely with internal stakeholders (including Franchise Strategy leadership, Licensees, Parks site teams, Consumer Insights, and Creative) and contribute to identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, improve documentation, and enhance cross team communication.
Contribute to a high trust, collaborative team environment through strong organization, attention to detail, and proactive communication.

Duffy and Friends Franchise

Support the ongoing evolution of the Duffy and Friends brand by coordinating with cross-functional partners (including Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Live Entertainment, and Parks site teams) to align priorities, inputs, and execution as the franchise grows toward its long-term vision.
Support development and execution of integrated content and marketing strategies by assisting with creative briefing, agency coordination, asset reviews, and delivery management to enable strong in-market performance and partner relationships.
Assist in advancing franchise level commercial innovation initiatives by supporting analysis, coordination, and execution of high impact opportunities across sites, including preparation of leadership‑ready recommendations through rotating project workstreams.
Partner with Corporate Alliance teams to evaluate potential brand partners, review proposals and planned activations for brand alignment, track performance, and synthesize key learnings to inform future franchise opportunities.
Support activation of a corporate social responsibility campaign by assisting with planning and execution of brand-led activations and a year‑round approach that builds awareness, affinity, and long‑term brand equity.
Support ongoing budget tracking and administrative needs related to franchise initiatives.

Location Based‑Experiences

DLBE is the team within DPI that partners with various licensees around the globe that develop experiences leveraging popular franchises and IPs from 20th Century Studios and National Geographic.

Assist with managing day‑to‑day communication across relevant licensees, vendors, and internal partners throughout creative development to support consistent, on‑brand execution.
Support creative, design, and attraction development review processes by consolidating feedback, tracking approvals, and ensuring required stakeholders are engaged at appropriate stages.
Assist in monitoring execution and installation milestones to support delivery of experiences that meet Disney quality, safety, and guest experience standards.
Support project management and lifecycle coordination by maintaining project trackers, deliverable matrices, timelines, and documentation for assigned projects and licensees.
Support research, analysis, and synthesis related to DLBE business performance, market trends, competitive landscape, and prospective licensee concepts to inform strategy discussions and leadership materials.
For active locations, assist with product‑related coordination by supporting assortment inputs, tracking performance metrics, and contributing to internal reporting and future planning.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

3 years of experience in strategy, project management, marketing, or franchise related roles within a fast‑paced, matrixed environment (experience in themed entertainment or live experiences a plus).
Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-‑functionally and support senior stakeholders without direct authority.
High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Creative, data-informed‑ mindset with the ability to translate insights into clear recommendations.
Word, Excel, Outlook, CoPilot, PowerPoint, Keynote, Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Quicktime Player, VLC, and manage FTP site and server
SmartSheet, Airtable, or other project management software

Preferred Skills:

Adobe Creative Suite, Firefly, Workfront, Acrobat

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

Our Benefits: 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

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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $105,100 to $140,900 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.

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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 Disneyland International, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

Disneyland International 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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