About the Role & Team

The Corporate Innovation team at The Walt Disney Company is a highly visible corporate team of professionals who act as in-house consultants/strategists responsible for the identification, analysis, development and execution of corporate innovation initiatives. Specific activities include developing data-driven hypotheses, strategies, and tactics to develop new businesses; identifying, evaluating and negotiating equity investments; managing a portfolio of current investments; incubating or accelerating potential new businesses, assessing emerging market opportunities and fostering innovation within and across TWDC's businesses. The team's activities and accomplishments have contributed to the global strategy and success of The Walt Disney Company across its business units: Entertainment, ESPN, Parks Experiences and Consumer Products.

The Corporate Innovation team at The Walt Disney Company is a highly visible corporate team of professionals who act as in-house consultants/strategists responsible for the identification, analysis, development and execution of corporate innovation initiatives. Specific activities include developing data-driven hypotheses, strategies, and tactics to develop new businesses; identifying, evaluating and negotiating equity investments; managing a portfolio of current investments; incubating or accelerating potential new businesses, assessing emerging market opportunities and fostering innovation within and across TWDC's businesses. The team's activities and accomplishments have contributed to the global strategy and success of The Walt Disney Company across its business units: Entertainment, ESPN, Parks Experiences and Consumer Products.

What You Will Do

Portfolio Management and Reporting: Oversee the management and reporting of past Disney Accelerator companies, ensuring accurate and timely updates on their progress and performance. This includes driving business development initiatives with past Accelerator participants.

Relationship Development:  Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with Disney Accelerator entrepreneurs and relevant leaders throughout TWDC. This involves regular communication and collaboration with high-level executives to support ongoing business development efforts.

Business Development Support: Collaborate closely with TWDC business units to facilitate ongoing business development with startups. This includes capturing and monitoring next steps, facilitating conversations, and tracking progress as determined by the General Manager (GM).

Quarterly Reporting and Financial Metrics: Serve as the primary point of contact for portfolio companies, preparing Disney internal quarterly reports and tracking financial metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) for overall portfolio performance.

Sourcing New Companies: Conduct research and due diligence on potential opportunities for investment and business development. This includes assisting with processes covering financials, management, product, and market opportunity for each investment, as well as tracking competitive market programs and deal structures. (10% of Time)

Program Operations Support: Provide support for Disney Accelerator program operations during the program, as needed and determined by the GM. 

Research and Presentation Materials: Prepare a variety of research and presentation materials for the Disney Accelerator and, at times, the broader Corporate Innovation team.

Basic Qualifications:

• 6+ years of work experience in preferred fields of media, venture capital, investment banking, consulting, and/or technology
• Expertise with venture capital, entertainment/media or Internet/digital technology business
• Innovative/creative problem solver
• Strong analytics, financial modeling and reporting skills combined with strategic and business acumen
• Strong Excel and Keynote/PowerPoint skills for communicating complex ideas with clarity to senior executives across a broad range of skill sets
• An excellent team player with strong communication and collaboration skills
• Self-starter with ability to work in a fast-paced, highly entrepreneurial environment
• Ability to interact with all levels of management
• Ability to demonstrate a strategic point of view and make data-based, convincing recommendations
• High energy level, strong work ethic
• Results-oriented, decisive
• Self confident and able to act on constructive feedback
• Highest degree of personal/professional integrity and proven discretion handling confidential information

Specific Skills Preferred:

• Familiarity with working in or with large organizations
• Ability to define and articulate a clear vision
• Demonstrated strong communication skills (written and verbal) and experienced in delivering presentations
• Proven quantitative, analytical and planning skills
• Demonstrated success in understanding and presenting complex business issues and identifying creative solutions
• Ability to positively confront issues and resolve conflict with sound judgment
• Excellent project management skills that lead to efficient, effective, and successful execution of project plans
• Potential for limited travel domestically
• Familiarity with TWDC lines of business

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

• Required: B.S. with preferred majors of Business, Economics, Entrepreneurship or equivalent
• Preferred: MBA from a top business school

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, California is $126,800.00 to $154,800 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.