Sr Manager, UX and Visual Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Manager, UX and Visual Design
Company: The Walt Disney Company
Location: Burbank, CA, USA
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Design Operations / Creative Operations / GTM Operations (Design Focus)
Date Posted: 2025-09-05
Experience Level: 10+ Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of UX, Systems, and Visual Designers to deliver world-class products, platforms, and communication artifacts within Studio Technology.
• Transform the Design function from a support service into a strategic partner that influences product and platform conception, development, and adoption across The Walt Disney Studios ecosystem.
• Drive design-led initiatives aimed at improving user engagement and satisfaction for filmmakers, studio employees, and technology partners interacting with tools and services.
• Integrate emerging technologies, including AI, into design workflows and platform development, championing best practices and adoption across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic leadership position within Studio Technology Operations & Insights, focusing on the operationalization and strategic integration of design principles and practices to drive business outcomes. The emphasis on "transforming design from a support service into a strategic partner" and integrating "emerging technologies and AI into workflows" highlights a strong GTM/Operations component, focusing on how design impacts product adoption, efficiency, and overall business strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design & Technical Leadership:
  • Elevate design standards for UX, platform design, and visual communication across Studio Technology.
  • Translate complex stakeholder requirements into scalable and effective design solutions.
  • Guide the development and maintenance of robust design systems, component libraries, and shared best practices to ensure consistency and efficiency.
  • Oversee the end-to-end delivery of high-quality design outputs, including workflows, prototypes, wireframes, presentations, style guides, and branded assets.
  • Champion the integration of emerging technologies and AI into design processes and platform development, advising teams on optimal implementation and adoption strategies.
  • Collaborate closely with product and technology leaders to shape strategic vision and ensure design contributions deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Administration & Strategy:
  • Define and articulate how design directly contributes to the overarching business strategy of Studio Technology.
  • Act as a primary design ambassador for Studio Technology, increasing team visibility and the impact of design initiatives across the organization.
  • Spearhead design-driven projects focused on enhancing operational efficiency, user adoption, and overall satisfaction with Studio Technology products and services.
  • Develop and execute a forward-looking design vision that is intrinsically aligned with critical business objectives, working in tandem with peers and the Director of Studio Technology Operations & Insights.
• People Management:
  • Cultivate an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing culture within the design team.
  • Actively promote team visibility and advocate for the significant business impact of design efforts.
  • Lead the recruitment, development, and retention of design talent, from junior designers to senior leads, ensuring a strong talent pipeline.
  • Provide consistent coaching and mentorship to team members, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and high-quality, timely, and budget-conscious delivery.
  • Strategically align team resources with evolving business priorities while actively supporting individual professional growth and development paths.
  • Effectively manage design tools, budgets, and vendor relationships to maximize efficiency and value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a focus on operationalizing design, making it a strategic asset rather than just a functional output. Responsibilities like "transforming design from a support service into a strategic partner," "defining how design contributes to business strategy," and "integrate emerging technologies and AI into workflows" are core to a GTM/Operations focus, emphasizing adoption, efficiency, and business impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant emphasis on UX and Visual Design principles.
• Minimum of 3 years in a direct team leadership role, demonstrating proven success in managing and developing design professionals.
• Extensive experience leading diverse design teams and successfully delivering complex projects at scale within a large organization.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Proven ability to transform design functions into strategic partners that shape product vision and adoption.
• UX & Visual Design Foundation: Strong, demonstrable expertise in both user experience (UX) and visual design principles, with a solid understanding of platform design.
• Emerging Technologies & AI: Functional knowledge of current and emerging technologies, including AI, and experience guiding their integration into design workflows and platform development.
• Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to influence executive-level stakeholders and cross-functional partners through compelling narratives.
• User-Centered Design (UCD) Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of UCD methodologies, rapid prototyping techniques, interaction design models, and the creation of scalable design systems.
• Tool Proficiency: Advanced proficiency with industry-standard design tools, including Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).
• Design Systems: Functional knowledge in building, maintaining, and evolving comprehensive design systems.
• Agile Environment Experience: Experience working effectively within agile development methodologies, managing large project portfolios, and thriving under demanding timelines.
• Culture Building & Engagement: Demonstrated ability to foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture, drive engagement, and promote professional growth.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the entertainment or media industry.
• Familiarity with operations management principles as they apply to design teams.
• Experience with product management methodologies and their intersection with design.
• Understanding of data analytics and its role in informing design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Basic Qualifications" are framed as "Required Skills" to emphasize practical application and strategic impact, aligning with operations roles that demand proven execution. The emphasis on "transforming design from a support service into a strategic partner" and "integrating emerging technologies and AI" points to a need for leaders who can drive adoption and efficiency, key GTM/Operations functions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating how your design leadership transformed a design function into a strategic partner, influencing product conception and adoption.
• Process Improvement Examples: Include examples of how you've implemented or evolved design systems, workflows, or team processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and design quality.
• System Implementation & Adoption: Present projects where you've guided the implementation or integration of new technologies (e.g., AI) or design tools, highlighting adoption strategies and user impact.
• ROI Demonstration: For key projects, demonstrate how design initiatives led to measurable business outcomes, such as increased user satisfaction, improved efficiency, or enhanced product adoption rates.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing and optimizing end-to-end design workflows from conception through to implementation, ensuring efficiency and clarity.
• System Integration & Best Practices: Documentation illustrating how you've integrated design systems, component libraries, or new technologies into existing workflows and communicated best practices to teams.
• Performance Measurement & Analysis: Examples of how you've defined metrics for design success and used data analysis to inform design decisions, iterate on solutions, and report on impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Sr Manager role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic impact and operationalization of design. The focus is not just on individual design execution but on how the candidate leads teams to achieve business objectives through design, aligning with GTM/Operations principles of driving adoption and measuring ROI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA, is $171,600 to $230,100 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes medical insurance.
• Financial Well-being: Access to financial planning resources and benefits.
• Performance-Based Incentives: Potential for a bonus and long-term incentive units, directly tied to individual and company performance.
• Retirement Savings: Likely includes a 401(k) plan or similar retirement savings vehicle.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday policies.
• Employee Perks: Potential for discounts on Disney products and experiences.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, estimated at 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, flexibility may be offered for core working hours to accommodate team collaboration and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Burbank, CA, and aligns with senior management roles in the design and technology sector in that region. The benefits listed are typical for large corporations like Disney, with a focus on holistic employee well-being and performance recognition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Entertainment & Media Technology. The Walt Disney Company is a global leader in creating and distributing entertainment. Studio Technology specifically supports the production and operational aspects of film and television creation, leveraging cutting-edge technology. Company Size: Large Enterprise (10,000+ employees). This scale implies robust processes, opportunities for broad impact, and a complex organizational structure. Founded: 1923. With nearly a century of history, Disney has a deeply ingrained culture of innovation, storytelling, and quality, which influences its approach to technology and operational excellence.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Senior Manager reports to the Director of Studio Technology Operations & Insights, indicating a structure where design leadership is integrated within an operational and analytical framework.
• Team Composition: Leads a multidisciplinary team comprising UX Designers, Systems Designers, and Visual Designers, requiring strong leadership across diverse creative and technical skill sets.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expected to be a strategic partner to product management, engineering, and other technology teams within Studio Technology, as well as with creative stakeholders (filmmakers, studio employees).

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The reporting structure within "Operations & Insights" suggests a strong emphasis on using data to inform design strategy, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement.
• Agile & Iterative Processes: Experience in agile environments is required, indicating a preference for iterative development, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops to refine products and platforms.
• Strategic Vision & Execution: The role demands the ability to define a long-term design vision while executing on immediate business priorities, balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational delivery.

Company Website: https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Design Operations" aspect is strongly implied by the reporting structure to "Operations & Insights" and the emphasis on strategic partnership, process optimization, and measurable business outcomes. This context is crucial for operations-focused candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management (Managerial/Leadership). This role is a critical leadership position within Studio Technology, responsible for a significant function and team. It sits at the intersection of creative excellence and operational efficiency. Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Studio Technology Operations & Insights. This placement signifies that design's strategic contributions are evaluated through an operational and data-driven lens, emphasizing its role in achieving broader business objectives. Operations Impact: The role is designed to ensure design is not just an aesthetic output but a key driver of product adoption, user satisfaction, and overall efficiency within the Studio Technology ecosystem. By integrating design strategically, this role directly impacts how effectively filmmakers and employees utilize tools and platforms, thereby influencing production timelines, costs, and creative output.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a Director-level role, managing a broader portfolio of design and operational initiatives within Studio Technology or other Disney divisions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead larger, more complex, cross-functional projects that span multiple departments or business units, enhancing influence and scope.
• Specialization in Emerging Technologies: Deepen expertise in AI and other emerging technologies, becoming a recognized leader in their application within the creative and production industries.
• Mentorship & Talent Development: Develop a strong reputation for nurturing design talent, potentially leading to roles focused on organizational design strategy and talent acquisition for creative and technical teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is framed through an operations lens, focusing on expanding strategic influence, managing larger operational domains, and becoming a thought leader in technology integration and talent development within a large corporate structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This role is explicitly stated as not remote and requires physical presence at the Studio Lot. Office Location(s): Burbank, CA, USA – specifically at the F.G. Wells Building 2 on the Studio Lot. This location offers a dynamic, creative, and collaborative environment central to Disney's film production operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Studio Lot environment fosters close collaboration with various creative, technical, and production teams, enabling direct interaction and understanding of user needs.
• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to cutting-edge design tools, software, and potentially advanced hardware for prototyping and user testing. The team is expected to integrate AI and emerging technologies.
• Team Interaction: A strong emphasis on team culture and collaboration means ample opportunities for direct interaction with designers, product managers, engineers, and stakeholders, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, a degree of flexibility in core working hours may be available to support project deadlines and team coordination, common in creative and technology operations environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and specific location highlight a hands-on, integrated role within the heart of Disney's creative operations, emphasizing direct collaboration and immersion in the production environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR and potentially a hiring manager will review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and alignment with the role's strategic and leadership requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion focusing on leadership philosophy, strategic vision for design, experience in transforming design functions, and people management approach.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will present a curated portfolio showcasing relevant case studies that demonstrate strategic impact, process improvements, and leadership in UX/Visual Design, specifically highlighting experience with design systems, emerging tech, and driving adoption.
• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with potential direct reports, peers, and other stakeholders to assess collaboration style, cultural fit, and ability to influence across teams.
• Executive Interview: Final interview with senior leadership (e.g., Director) to confirm strategic alignment, executive presence, and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your portfolio around compelling case studies that tell a story of problem, solution, and impact, with a clear emphasis on your leadership role and the strategic value of design.
• Process & Operations Focus: Highlight how you've operationalized design, managed design systems, integrated new technologies (like AI), and driven adoption. Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., "increased adoption by X%," "reduced design cycle time by Y%").
• Leadership Demonstration: Show examples of how you've mentored teams, fostered culture, and influenced stakeholders at various levels.
• Company Alignment: Tailor your presentation to showcase how your skills and experience align with Disney's focus on innovation, storytelling, and operational excellence within the entertainment technology space.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy Case Study: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical design challenge relevant to Studio Technology, focusing on your strategic thinking, process, and how you would integrate your team.
• Leadership Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing team conflict, driving change, developing talent, and influencing cross-functional partners.
• Technology Integration: Prepare to discuss your perspective on integrating AI and other emerging technologies into design workflows and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes strategic leadership and operational impact, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just design skill but also the ability to lead, strategize, and drive business results through design. The portfolio review is critical for showcasing this operational and strategic capability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design & Prototyping Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and design system management. Expect advanced usage and potential leadership in its implementation.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Includes Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and potentially others for visual design, asset creation, and motion graphics.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with tools like InVision, Sketch, or others may be beneficial for specific workflows.

Design Systems & Collaboration:

• Design System Management Platforms: Experience with tools or methodologies for building, maintaining, and scaling design systems.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management, communication, and cross-functional team collaboration.

Emerging Technologies & AI:

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity with emerging AI-powered design assistants, content generation tools, or workflow automation platforms.
• Conceptual Understanding: Ability to articulate how AI can be integrated into the design process for ideation, content creation, personalization, or workflow optimization.

Analytics & Reporting (for Design Insights):

• User Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or product-specific analytics platforms to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.
• Data Visualization Tools: Proficiency in tools like Tableau or Power BI for creating dashboards to report on design team performance and product adoption metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is explicit. The inclusion of emerging technologies and AI, alongside analytics tools, highlights the operational and strategic aspect of the role, requiring leaders who can leverage technology for efficiency and impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Strategic Partnership: Design is viewed as a critical partner in achieving business objectives, not merely a service provider. This involves proactive engagement and strategic alignment.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on using insights and data to inform design strategy, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement in user experience and operational efficiency.
• Innovation & Future-Forward Thinking: A commitment to exploring and integrating emerging technologies like AI to enhance workflows, platforms, and user experiences.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional collaboration is seamless, leading to better outcomes for all stakeholders.
• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to high standards in design execution, user experience, and process efficiency, ensuring the delivery of world-class products.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Engagement: The team is expected to be proactive in seeking out opportunities to collaborate with product, engineering, and other technology teams, driving design thinking from the outset.
• Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication channels are vital, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and aligned on design goals, progress, and challenges.
• Feedback Integration: A culture that actively seeks, provides, and integrates constructive feedback to iteratively improve designs, processes, and team performance.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings across the design team and with partner teams to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize the operational integration of design, highlighting its role in achieving business goals, driving efficiency, and fostering innovation through technology. This aligns strongly with GTM and Revenue Operations principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Operational Demands: Effectively translating a long-term design vision into actionable, day-to-day tasks and projects while managing immediate business needs and tight deadlines.
• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Leading the charge in integrating emerging technologies like AI into established workflows, overcoming potential resistance and ensuring successful adoption by diverse user groups.
• Influencing Stakeholders: Persuading and influencing a wide range of stakeholders, from creative professionals to technical leaders, to adopt new design standards, processes, and technologies.
• Scaling Design Operations: Ensuring the design team's processes, systems, and talent development strategies can scale effectively to meet the evolving demands of Studio Technology and The Walt Disney Company.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Leadership Training: Access to Disney's extensive leadership development programs, focusing on strategic management, executive communication, and organizational change.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend leading design, technology, and operations conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends, network with peers, and gain new insights.
• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior executives within Disney or to mentor emerging talent, fostering leadership growth.
• Specialization in Creative Technology: Deepen expertise in the intersection of design, production technology, and emerging fields like AI, becoming a thought leader in the entertainment industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around operationalizing design strategy and managing technological evolution, which are core concerns in GTM and Revenue Operations. Growth opportunities focus on expanding leadership scope and specializing in cutting-edge areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you transformed a design team from a support function into a strategic partner. What were the key steps, challenges, and outcomes?" (Focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, change management, and impact on business strategy.)
• "How would you approach integrating AI tools into our existing design workflows to improve efficiency and creativity? What are the potential operational challenges and how would you mitigate them?" (Prepare to discuss practical implementation, stakeholder buy-in, and operational considerations.)
• "Explain your philosophy on building and evolving design systems. How do you ensure adoption and continuous improvement across diverse teams and projects?" (Highlight your understanding of design operations, scalability, and process management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about The Walt Disney Company and Studio Technology's mission? How do you see design contributing to our unique storytelling and production environment?" (Research Disney's values, recent projects, and the role of technology in their creative process.)
• "How would you foster an inclusive and high-performing design culture within a multidisciplinary team at Disney?" (Be ready to discuss your leadership style, team-building strategies, and approach to talent development.)
• "How do you measure the success and ROI of design initiatives? Can you provide an example?" (Prepare to discuss metrics, analytics, and how design contributes to tangible business outcomes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Leadership & Strategy: Select case studies that prominently feature your leadership role, strategic decision-making, and the operational impact of your design solutions.
• Quantify Impact: Clearly articulate the measurable results of your work, using data points related to efficiency, adoption, user satisfaction, or business value.
• Process & Systemic Thinking: Showcase your understanding of design systems, workflows, and how you've leveraged technology (including AI) to optimize design operations.
• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation logically, guiding the interviewer through the problem, your strategic approach, the execution, and the ultimate impact. Be prepared for detailed questions about your process and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, operational acumen in design, and the ability to drive business outcomes through design. Emphasize experience with process optimization, technology integration, and stakeholder influence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr Manager, UX and Visual Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday job portal link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful case studies that prominently feature your leadership in transforming design functions, integrating new technologies (like AI), and driving product/platform adoption. Ensure these showcase your strategic thinking and operational approach.
• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 10+ years of experience, specifically mentioning your 3+ years in team leadership, your proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and your experience with design systems and emerging technologies. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, quantifying your impact, and articulating your strategic and operational methodologies. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and approach to building high-performing teams.
• Research Disney Studio Technology: Understand the company's current projects, technological initiatives (especially related to AI and production), and the broader Studio Technology mission to align your responses with their strategic goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with The Walt Disney Company before making application decisions.

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