Senior Principal, Ad Strategy & Operations

Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology

Technology is at the heart of Disney’s past, present, and future. Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology is a global organization of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, data scientists, and more – all working to build and advance the technological backbone for Disney’s media business globally.

The team marries technology with creativity to build world-class products, enhance storytelling, and drive velocity, innovation, and scalability for our businesses. We are Storytellers and Innovators. Creators and Builders. Entertainers and Engineers. We work with every part of The Walt Disney Company’s media portfolio to advance the technological foundation and consumer media touch points serving millions of people around the world. 

Here are a few reasons why we think you’d love working here:

• Building the future of Disney’s media: Our Technologists are designing and building the products and platforms that will power our media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach, Scale & Impact: More than ever, Disney’s technology and products serve as a signature doorway for fans' connections with the company’s brands and stories. Disney+. Hulu. ESPN. ABC. ABC News…and many more. These products and brands – and the unmatched stories, storytellers, and events they carry – matter to millions of people globally. 
• Innovation: We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms, and solve complex and distinctive technical problems.

Job Summary

Ad Platforms is responsible for Disney’s industry-leading ad technology and products – driving advertising performance, innovation, and value in Disney’s sports, news, and entertainment content, across all media platforms.

Reporting to the EVP, Ad Platforms, the Senior Principal of Ad Strategy & Operations serves as a strategic partner and advisor, driving clarity, alignment, and execution across a large-scale, global advertising technology organization. This role blends strategy, operations, financial acumen, and executive advisory support to enable the EVP and leadership team to focus on the highest‑impact priorities.

The Senior Principal will architect multi‑year growth strategies, establish operating rigor, and ensure seamless execution of strategic initiatives across Engineering, Product, Finance, HR, and Portfolio teams. This is a highly visible role requiring sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively at the C‑suite and Board level.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the EVP, Ad Platforms, shaping and advancing multi‑year growth, technology, and investment strategies.

• Establish and run the operating model for the executive leadership team, including leadership rhythms, decision forums, operating reviews, and executive communications.

• Own preparation of executive‑level materials, including CTO newsletters, Chairman reports, Board of Directors presentations, leadership narratives, and enterprise‑wide updates that align roadmap, strategy, and capital allocation.

• Act as a primary liaison between the Ad Platforms leadership team and broader enterprise stakeholders, ensuring alignment, transparency, and follow‑through.

• Partner with executive and senior leaders to define and execute the Ad Platforms technology and business strategy.

• Drive capital allocation processes to ensure resources are aligned to the highest‑impact initiatives and long‑range objectives.

• Lead Long Range Planning, Annual Budgeting, and Quarterly Forecasting in close partnership with Finance and cross‑functional stakeholders.

• Enable data‑driven staffing and investment decisions through robust analysis, dashboards, and executive‑ready insights.

• Drive measurable financial and operational outcomes, such as revenue acceleration, cost optimization, or organizational transformation.

• Unify teams under a cohesive technology and operating narrative, improving stakeholder clarity and confidence.

• Lead key organizational communications and engagement forums such as town halls, leadership updates, and strategic readouts.

• Partner with functional and operational leaders to adapt operating models as organizational needs evolve.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in business operations, strategy, consulting, finance, or a related field within a technology‑driven organization.

• Extensive experience supporting C‑suite or EVP‑level executives, including acting in a Chief of Staff, executive advisor, or equivalent strategic leadership role.

• Demonstrated ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels—setting direction while driving execution.

• Proven experience leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives across Enterprise, including Engineering, Product, Finance, HR, or Portfolio organizations.

• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, and portfolio management.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of preparing executive‑ and Board‑level materials.

• High degree of judgment, discretion, and integrity when handling sensitive and confidential matters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within large‑scale technology, media, advertising, or platform‑based organizations.

• Proven success driving organizational change, operating model design, or transformation initiatives.

• Ability to engage with technical leaders and understand engineering concepts well enough to inform prioritization and decision‑making.

• Strong organizational, program management, and prioritization skills in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco, CA is $227,200.00 to $304,700.00 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.