Manager, Planning and Industrial Engineering

This position reports to VP, Product Strategy, Park Ops and Planning and will lead analytical decision-making support, drive productivity improvement, and facilitate program development and operations design input on operational and expansion projects. This role will be accountable to operational and commercial leaders for their respective projects and serve as an integrator to ensure that site-based objectives and direction, along with functional area requirements, are aligned and integrated. The role is intended to ensure that a collaborative environment is developed to promote innovation, continuous improvement, and facilitate effective and clear decision-making.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a key advisor on strategic business decisions in all areas, from expansion planning to annual planning to daily operations and events. Determine the right proposal to optimize operational efficiency, improve guest and cast experience, and drive business results. 

• Apply advanced knowledge of Industrial Engineering techniques (including but not limited to advanced analytical, statistics, and reporting techniques/tools) and demonstrate strong business acumen to drive continuous improvement and solve complex business problems through rigorous data and statistical analysis. 

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships throughout Disney to better understand the business climate and help move work forward. Translate and communicate complex analytical/technical information to non-analytical/non-technical audiences at varying levels of leadership. 

• Lead I.E. development on new projects, from a single location to land expansion, representing all relevant LOBs to prepare design inputs in areas such as hotels, attractions, F&B, merchandise, entertainment, security, facilities services, back-of-house, transportation, guest services, etc. 

• Develop operational design requirement documents, such as Blue Sky Brief & Operational Design Criteria, used for the basis of design and pro forma development for new projects. 

• Support and enable the creative development process, working closely with Operations Development (OD) and  Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) as business partner and operational expertise, keeping WDI accountable for delivering the operational scope and achieving the project’s strategic intent. 

• Engage appropriate leadership groups and facilitate dialogue and decision-making that effectively balances various operational and business needs with the broader strategic and commercial intent of the projects. 

• Evaluate performance, provide constructive feedback, and develop the Industrial Engineering team. Provide input on strategic direction for the IE organization. 

• Recognize and develop high-performing cast members; be responsible for team building, build succession plan as the team grows; and embrace and maintain Disney culture within the team. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor or Master's in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or equivalent.

• 10+ years of applied Industrial Engineering related experience.

• 5+ years of experience leading salaried direct report Industrial Engineers/Consultants or other technical roles.

• Successful consulting experience, including a role in influencing and interfacing with senior-level executives.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to partner with others to handle multiple priorities in a challenging operational environment. 

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and lead complex, cross-functional teams. 

• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and time management skills. 

• Strong coaching/mentoring skills.

• Strong analytical ability, conceptual thinking, and creative problem-solving skills. 

• Strong computer and model development skills, including spreadsheets, databases, statistical tools, simulations, etc. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under changing conditions. 

• Deep understanding and experience within the operation of Disney theme parks and hotels, and knowledge of Disney brand, culture, and philosophies is a plus. 

• Knowledge of WDI Blue Sky process, previous experience in Menu programming, good understanding of financial valuation fundamentals, and ability to drive scope, value, and risks discussions throughout the design process is a plus. 

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