Art Director

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.

The Art Director supports the Portfolio leader and is WDI's front line creative conscience, partnering with Walt Disney Attractions management to ensure the balance of maintaining Disney's high standard of show quality/story telling consistencies along with the needs of the business.  The Art Director is directly responsible for creative direction and management of the WDI venue design team, providing design intent for Show Quality Standards, design services, venue planned work, Integrated Facility Plan, and WDI projects.

You will report to the Executive Creative Development, Global Design Services. 

This is a Full-Time role.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and lead a strong venue design team through complex matrix partnerships.

• Provide day-to-day creative direction as empowered by the Portfolio Leader to design disciplines: show designers, graphics, lighting, interns, show writing, character finishing, character concrete, props procurement, animation, architectural, and engineering for larger scale venues or multiple smaller venues and partners.

• Influence and negotiate all venue lines of business on creative direction, business strategy, global initiatives, and venue priorities.

• Ensure that venue management, LOB and FOS understand the processes of SQS and WDI i.e., Design Services Project Management, Show Awareness Training.

•  Attend partner Studio meetings (i.e. Safety Organization, Engineering Services, Operations, Foods, Merchandise, Marketing, Entertainment, etc.); design reviews; SQS meetings; walk-throughs with area managers.

• Partner with project management organizations to insure schedules, deliverables, and fiscal accountability.                                                

• Build strategic relationships with the venue WDI Design Administrator.   

• Share insights to WDI Creative Senior Leadership on creative direction, business strategy, global initiatives and venue priorities.

• Share insights to WDI Creative Senior Leadership on creative direction, business strategy, global initiatives and venue     

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years internal experience; 8 years external industry experience. Leadership qualities: team builder with client and venue.

• Management skills: The ability to direct creative people and project team.

• Demonstrated Disney knowledge and an understanding of Disney processes.

• The ability to present and sell ideas/concepts to a wide variety of audiences.

• Organized, thorough and detail oriented; the ability to prioritize.

•  Extensive knowledge and use of materials focused on sustainment. Advanced technical knowledge of multiple creative and technical disciplines desired.

• Negotiation and ability to make on-the-spot decisions.

• The ability to work with ambiguity and to make order out of chaos.                                                                                                                                                      

Education:

Degree in Theatre, film, design, fine arts or entertainment

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: 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.