Department/Group Overview:

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to maximize flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we think you’d love working for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

• Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
• Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

Content Operations

• Content Operations is ultimately responsible for successfully delivering Disney’s entertainment and sports content to millions of people every day. This involves developing, operating, and managing a global content supply chain – the myriad of steps involved from taking a finalized TV show/movie, or live piece of content, from inside Disney to audiences around the globe, in their preferred language and format. This team also manages technology operations in Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Job Summary:

The Senior Quality Management Specialist leads projects within Distribution Operations related to technical innovation, operations initiatives, and quality management.  As a senior technical project manager, they are part of a team of subject matter experts in AI, post-production, localization and digital distribution.  Projects involve identifying, evaluating, and implementing new technology - AI, automation and workflow improvements to drive quality, efficiency and cost savings.

The Senior Quality Management Specialist will support VP of Distribution Ops to plan and execute end-to-end delivery of strategic technical projects, managing priorities, budgets, documentation, presentations and timelines. Key to the team’s success is collaboration with cross-functional teams to understand workflow needs, leadership priorities, and anticipate risks.  Projects will adapt our content distribution supply chain for new technologies, automation, AI/Machine Learning initiatives, and global direct-to-consumer streaming.

The Senior Quality Management Specialist should be a subject matter expert in quality assurance, asset management, localization workflows, and the digital content delivery process and metadata distributed to various digital platforms globally. The role is expected to have comprehensive understanding of the servicing supply chain within one’s own specialty as well as knowledge of others: End-to-End servicing concepts, vendor management, Six Sigma, Lean, ISO 9001 practices, and DMAIC process improvement. 

• Identify and develop proposals and project plans and document processes to resolve complex technical, operational, and organizational challenges.
• Lead large scale projects that require collaboration between multiple teams and vendors.
• Collaborate with Product & Technology teams to define tool requirements/enhancements to help scale our workflows and bring time/cost efficiencies.
• Create best practices documentation and educate internal and external teams.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to assist with process improvement and workflow optimization.
• Propose innovative solutions to problems to the senior leaderships.
• Provide oversight for the successful implementation of AI-driven and automated solutions, aligning with supply chain workflows and ensuring high-quality results.
• Act as a driver of innovation, engage with emerging trends in media distribution technology, including Agentic/Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Lead management of technical initiatives that include cloud integrations, API development, and AI tool implementations (e.g., Microsoft Azure OpenAI, AWS).
• Manage budget and resourcing responsibilities and communicate needs and results to executives and other managers. 
• Identify and manage risks, perform root cause analysis, recommend remediation plans, and oversee execution/implementation.
• Work effectively in a fast-changing environment, with shifting priorities, while building and maintaining relationships with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Lead the adoption of new tools, frameworks, and AI technologies to enhance operational workflows and deliver cost savings.
• Coordinate with multiple business units (e.g., Disney Research & Innovation, Studio Operations, DCVI, Content Platforms Product Team) to ensure seamless integration and alignment of initiatives.
• Represent the team in discussions with senior stakeholders both in and outside our department, communicating progress, risks, and outcomes effectively.
• Act as a mentor and guide to team members, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
   

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

• Project Leadership & Execution: Lead large-scale technical projects focused on automation, AI/ML, and workflow optimization. Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables while ensuring alignment with strategic goals. Coordinate with internal teams, vendors, and technology partners to drive successful implementation.
• Technical Innovation & Workflow Optimization: Research and evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-driven automation, cloud integrations, and API solutions, to enhance distribution operations. Develop proof-of-concept solutions and collaborate with product/engineering teams for tool development and optimization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Partner with operations, product, and technology teams to define requirements, influence priorities, and ensure seamless execution of technical initiatives. Act as a key representative in strategic discussions with leadership, advocating for innovation and efficiency.
• Quality Management & Risk Mitigation: Oversee quality control initiatives by implementing data-driven performance metrics, conducting root cause analysis, and driving continuous improvement. Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with industry standards such as Six Sigma, Lean, and ISO 9001.
• Mentorship & Best Practices Development: Serve as a subject matter expert in localization, digital distribution, and asset management. Document and share best practices, train internal teams, and contribute to building a culture of technical excellence within the department.

Basic Qualifications

• 7 years of progressively complex experience managing strategic technical improvement projects or related experience, with at least 5 years with well-established global organizations in the post-production and digital media distribution fields.
• Strong problem-solving, presentation, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence project outcomes.
• Proven ability to effectively facilitate meetings and communicate with clarity and professionalism when engaging with leadership.
• Ability to deliver high-value projects while mentoring others and promoting innovation.
• Subject matter expertise in Content Distribution specifications, file and packaging formats, workflows, deliverables and quality metrics.
• Ability to communicate and present clearly to both technical and business experts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Training or certification in process improvement methodologies e.g. Six Sigma, Lean, ISO 9001.
• Experience in AI/ML technologies, cloud platforms (Google, Microsoft, AWS), and technical workflows.
• Experience with Agile and Scrum project management methodologies.
• Technical understanding of A/V technical formats including IMF, UHD, HDR, Dolby-Vision, Atmos and ProRes as well as localization requirement for dub and sub assets internationally.

Required Education  

• BA/BS or equivalent experience required.

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $95,500 - $128,000 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.