SVP of Architecture / Chief Architect – The Walt Disney Company

Opportunity

As the SVP, Architecture, you will drive the architecture agenda across multiple business units, ensuring alignment with the overall corporate strategy. This role will lead a global team of Architects, Product Managers and Change Managers to deliver innovative architectural solutions that enhance business performance. You will play a pivotal role in leading the transformation of our organization to a modern, mature, and exceptional Technology organization. You will help Disney Enterprise Technology & Data drive a mindset shift and a delivery model that will enhance our internal customers’ experience while also increasing efficiency and efficacy of delivery. You will guide the development of innovative technology solutions that meet the needs of our enterprise clients while fostering a culture of collaboration, agility, and continuous improvement. Working closely with business and technology leaders throughout The Walt Disney Company (TWDC), you will be responsible for coordinating and aligning policies, standards, procedures, and underlying technologies to enable TWDC to create a leading support service for all delivery. You will directly manage the Enterprise Technology & Data Architecture, Product, and Change teams while exerting influence and coordinating across Disney Entertainment & Sports (DE&S) and Disney Experiences (DX) Technology teams to ensure alignment throughout the global organization. Reports directly to the Chief Technology & Data Officer of The Walt Disney Company.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop and communicate the enterprise-wide architecture vision and strategy in alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives.

· Lead and mentor a diverse team of architects within Enterprise Technology & Data and coordinate and align with similar organizations across business units – fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration.

· Establish, communicate, and ensure adoption of TWDC-wide architecture governance, standards, guidelines, metrics, best practices, learning & development, engagement & communication, and communities of practice to ensure consistency and quality across TWDC.

· Determine and roll-out a federated approach to Enterprise Architecture that establishes required, recommended, and guiding architecture policies & controls, patterns, templates, and platforms to enable architecture within and without Enterprise Technology & Data.

· Establish and maintain cross-technology organization architecture governance frameworks to ensure compliance and best practices.

· Engage with executive leadership across Enterprise Technology & Data and all segment Technology teams to understand their needs, communicate architectural vision and strategy, and ensure architectural alignment.

· Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and drive the integration of these technologies into architecture standards, policies, procedures, templates, and patterns to enhance business capabilities and competitiveness.

· Lead an Enterprise Technology & Data Enterprise Architecture team that will perform the federated functions of Enterprise Architecture for all corporate functions – including Business

Architecture (capabilities, investment, value realization), Technical Architecture (application, data & integration, infrastructure, security), and Solution Architecture (requirements, estimating, costing, roadmaps). Lead the design and implementation of scalable, flexible, and secure architecture solutions for ET&D that support business growth and transformation.

· Lead a Product Management team that helps to ensure product roadmaps are built to deliver internal customer needs and are aligned with the architectural vision of The Walt Disney Company.

· Lead an Enterprise Technology & Data Change Management team to facilitate the adoption of all Enterprise Technology & Data solutions across the organization and to provide a service and center of excellence across The Walt Disney Company.

· Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and communication between teams to ensure cohesive architectural solutions, break down silos of information, and encourage knowledge sharing across TWDC.

· Mentor and guide architecture teams across all TWDC technology teams in the achievement of leading Enterprise Architecture practices.

· Collaborate with executives, stakeholders, and teams to ensure alignment and commitment to transformation initiatives.

· Act as a change agent, promoting a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability throughout the architecture organizations.

· Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on architectural decisions and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

· 15+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, with a focus on multi-segment business environments.

· Proven track record of leading large-scale architectural initiatives and managing global teams, with the ability to influence and inspire teams at all levels.

· Strong knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) and methodologies.

· Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

· Excellent communication, leadership, coordination, and coaching skills.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and develop effective solutions.

· Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.

· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Desirable Attributes and Values:

· Collaboration and Teamwork: Values diverse perspectives and actively promotes a collaborative environment to achieve common goals.

· Change Management in Tech Environments: Experienced in leading change initiatives within technology-driven organizations, facilitating smooth transitions and adoption of new tools and processes.

· Strategic Thinking: Analyzes complex situations and identifies opportunities for improvement, developing actionable strategies to implement change effectively.

· Influential Communication: Communicates change initiatives clearly and persuasively, engaging stakeholders at all levels and fostering buy-in for new directions.

· Cultural Transformation: Actively works to shift organizational culture in alignment with new strategies, promoting values that support a dynamic and innovative environment.

· Innovation and Creativity: Encourages diversity of thought and is open to new ideas that help drive progress and improvement within the organization.

· Service Orientation: Prioritizes the needs of stakeholders, keeping customer service at the forefront of decision-making.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $369,500.00 - $495,500.00 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.