Product Strategy and Operations Principal, Advertising Platforms

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy and Operations Principal, Advertising Platforms

Company: The Walt Disney Company

Location: San Francisco, CA, USA; Glendale, CA, USA; California, USA

Job Type: Full time

Category: Revenue Operations / Product Operations / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-18

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) setting process, defining measurable targets and managing performance reviews for the AdTech leadership team.

• Serve as the analytical backbone for key advertising platform metrics, driving insights and optimizing performance in collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Data Science teams.

• Establish and manage critical leadership review forums, including Product Reviews and Weekly Stats, to ensure operational excellence and drive organizational velocity.

• Contribute to cultural transformation by partnering on large-scale events, town halls, and offsites for the Product and Technology organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the Strategy & Operations team, reporting to the Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO). It requires a strong blend of analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and operational execution within the fast-paced AdTech landscape. The focus on OKRs, performance measurement, and operational forums indicates a significant Revenue Operations or Product Operations function supporting GTM strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the OKR-setting process for AdTech leadership, partnering with team leads to define objectives, establish measurable targets using informed analysis, and manage recurring leadership reviews to assess performance.

• Act as the primary analytical resource for key advertising platform metrics, identifying trends, surfacing actionable insights, and collaborating with Product, Engineering, and Data Science to optimize performance and user engagement.

• Establish, manage, and continuously improve leadership review forums, including Product Reviews, Weekly Stats, and OKR Grading, to enhance organizational velocity and impact through operational rigor.

• Support and execute cultural transformation initiatives by partnering with Corporate Communications, Creative Storytelling, and Workplace Experience teams to plan and manage town halls, offsites, and other significant organizational events.

• Develop and maintain robust operational processes and reporting mechanisms to ensure data-driven decision-making and alignment across engineering roadmaps and commercial objectives within the advertising ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a critical role in operationalizing strategy. The emphasis on OKRs, performance measurement, and leadership forums suggests a need for someone adept at translating strategic goals into actionable plans and tracking progress rigorously. This is typical of senior roles within Revenue Operations or Sales Operations that support Go-To-Market functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: BS/BA in Business, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.

Experience: 10+ years of experience in ProdOps (Product Operations), Strategy, or Analytics roles within top-tier Technology Companies, Start Ups, Management Consulting, and/or Professional Services firms.

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills; expertise in organizing complex data to create clear, concise narratives.

• Advanced spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets) and SQL skills.

• Experience defining and measuring OKRs, KPIs, or other comparable success metrics.

• Deep domain expertise in the Advertising ecosystem, possessing the technical fluency to bridge the gap between engineering roadmaps and commercial objectives.

• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously with high attention to detail, while also knowing when to zoom out for executive-level discussions.

• Strong written, presentation, and oral communication skills; capable of developing high-level presentations for senior executive audiences.

• Proactive "self-starter" with a passion for driving outcomes and a bias for action.

• Team-oriented culture carrier with a proclivity towards cross-functional collaboration.

• Comfortable influencing in the absence of direct control within dynamic, fast-paced, and matrixed organizations. Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency with Tableau, Looker, or similar Business Intelligence (BI) tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience, coupled with deep domain expertise in AdTech and advanced analytical skills (SQL, BI tools), positions this as a senior individual contributor or lead role. The emphasis on bridging engineering and commercial objectives strongly suggests a Product Operations or GTM Operations function that directly impacts revenue generation and product strategy execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a track record of successfully defining and implementing OKR frameworks that drove measurable improvements in team performance and strategic alignment.

• Showcase experience in developing and managing key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards and reporting mechanisms for complex operational or product initiatives, highlighting data-driven insights.

• Provide examples of operational rigor, such as establishing and running effective leadership review forums or process optimization initiatives that improved team velocity and execution.

• Present case studies where you have successfully translated complex data into clear, actionable narratives and strategic recommendations for senior leadership, particularly within the advertising technology space. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate your approach to establishing and refining OKR-setting processes, including objective definition, target setting, and performance tracking methodologies.

• Detail your experience in creating and managing operational workflows for performance measurement and review, ensuring data integrity and actionable insights.

• Provide examples of how you have documented and optimized operational processes to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and strategic execution within technology organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this Principal level, a portfolio demonstrating strategic impact and operational mastery is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their ability to not just analyze data but to operationalize insights, drive process improvements, and influence strategy through structured frameworks like OKRs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• San Francisco, CA: $187,900.00 - $252,000.00 per year

• Los Angeles, CA: $171,600.00 - $230,100.00 per year

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are specific to the listed locations (San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA) and reflect the seniority (10+ years of experience) and specialized nature of the role within the AdTech industry. These figures are based on the provided job posting data. The stated ranges are for base pay only.

Benefits:

• Medical insurance

• Financial benefits

• Bonus potential

• Long-term incentive units (e.g., stock options or restricted stock units)

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time, though pace may be demanding).

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of bonus and long-term incentive units suggests a performance-driven compensation structure, common for roles with significant impact on revenue and strategic outcomes. The mention of "dynamic, fast-paced, and matrixed organizations" implies that while the standard work week is 40 hours, project demands might necessitate flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, Technology. Disney operates at the intersection of content creation, distribution, and cutting-edge technology, making it a unique environment for operations professionals. The AdTech platforms are critical for monetizing this vast content ecosystem.

Company Size: Large enterprise (The Walt Disney Company is a global conglomerate with tens of thousands of employees). This scale offers opportunities for broad impact but also requires navigating complex organizational structures.

Founded: 1923. Disney has a long-standing history of innovation and brand building, which influences its culture and approach to new ventures like advanced advertising platforms.

Team Structure:

• The Strategy & Operations team reports directly to the Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO), indicating high-level visibility and direct influence on product and technology direction.

• This role will operate within the AdTech organization, requiring close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, and potentially Marketing and Sales teams.

• The matrixed organizational structure suggests a need for strong influencing skills and the ability to build consensus across diverse functional groups. Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven rigor and strategic analysis to inform decision-making.

• Focus on setting and managing OKRs to drive performance and alignment across the organization.

• Commitment to operational excellence through structured review forums and continuous process improvement.

• A blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution to achieve critical near-term priorities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Disney's scale and legacy in entertainment, combined with its aggressive push into digital and advertising technology, create a compelling environment. The Strategy & Operations team's direct reporting line to the CPTO underscores the strategic importance of this role in shaping the future of Disney's advertising business.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal. This indicates a senior individual contributor role, expected to operate with significant autonomy, provide expert guidance, and influence strategic direction. It often serves as a precursor to management or a deep subject matter expert track.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a leader within the Strategy & Operations team, which itself reports to the Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO). This high-level reporting structure offers significant executive visibility.

Operations Impact: This role is central to the success of Disney's advertising platforms. By driving strategy, measuring performance, and ensuring operational excellence, the Principal will directly influence revenue generation, monetization strategies, and the overall effectiveness of Disney's AdTech investments. The insights generated will guide critical business decisions impacting growth and profitability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AdTech operations, product strategy, and advanced analytics, becoming a go-to subject matter expert within Disney.

• Leadership: Transition into management roles within Strategy & Operations, Product Management, or GTM leadership, leveraging a proven track record of driving impact.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain extensive experience working across Product, Engineering, Data Science, Marketing, and Sales, broadening your understanding of the full GTM lifecycle.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to high-level strategic planning for Disney's advertising business, with the potential to influence major product roadmaps and business initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title combined with the reporting structure suggests a role with substantial influence and potential for significant career advancement within Disney's rapidly evolving technology and advertising divisions. The opportunity to impact revenue directly is a key differentiator for operations professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily on-site with potential for hybrid flexibility, given the explicit mention of "On-site" status. The job posting lists multiple California locations (San Francisco, Glendale), suggesting a presence in key tech and entertainment hubs.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA, USA; Glendale, CA, USA; and other locations in California. This provides options within a major tech and media market.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as dynamic, fast-paced, and matrixed, requiring adaptability and resilience.

• Expect a highly collaborative setting, with significant interaction with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Data Science, Corporate Communications).

• Access to advanced analytics tools and a direct line to senior leadership will be integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time (40 hours/week) is the baseline, but the dynamic nature of the role and the entertainment industry may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and event schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large media and technology company like Disney implies a structured yet potentially demanding work environment. The emphasis on collaboration and executive visibility suggests a professional office setting conducive to strategic discussions and operational planning.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about your experience, operational philosophy, and understanding of AdTech.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: Likely to involve analytical problem-solving, data interpretation, and strategic planning exercises related to advertising platforms or OKR management. Be prepared to present your findings and recommendations.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential peers and stakeholders from Product, Engineering, and Data Science to evaluate collaboration style and technical fluency.

• Executive Interview: Final interview with senior leadership (potentially the CPTO or a direct report) to assess strategic thinking, executive presence, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, the tools/processes used, and most importantly, the quantifiable results (e.g., % improvement in OKR achievement, % lift in key metrics, efficiency gains).

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Highlight how your operational initiatives directly supported broader product and business strategies. Demonstrate your ability to connect tactical execution to strategic outcomes.

• Demonstrate Analytical Rigor: Include examples of complex data analysis, SQL queries used, BI dashboards created (even if anonymized), and how you translated raw data into actionable insights.

• Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provide examples of how you successfully partnered with Product, Engineering, and Data Science teams to achieve objectives, showcasing your communication and influencing skills.

• AdTech Domain Expertise: If possible, include specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of the advertising ecosystem, ad platforms, or monetization strategies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach setting OKRs for a new advertising product or feature.

• Prepare to analyze a hypothetical dataset related to ad performance (e.g., CTR, conversion rates, CPMs) and identify trends or areas for optimization.

• Practice articulating complex operational or strategic concepts clearly and concisely for a senior executive audience.

• Familiarize yourself with common AdTech terminology and business models.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, reflecting the seniority and strategic importance of the role. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates impact, analytical skills, and strategic alignment with business objectives will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Spreadsheets: Advanced proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets for data manipulation, analysis, and modeling.

• SQL: Essential for data extraction, manipulation, and analysis from various databases.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Highly preferred proficiency in Tableau, Looker, or similar platforms for data visualization, dashboard creation, and performance tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with data warehousing and analytical databases.

• Familiarity with performance measurement frameworks and metrics specific to advertising platforms (e.g., impressions, clicks, CTR, CPM, CPA, ROAS).

• Ability to translate complex data into clear, executive-level reports and presentations. CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly listed, experience with CRM systems (like Salesforce) and workflow automation tools could be beneficial for understanding data flow and operational processes in a broader GTM context.

• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Confluence) is likely expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on SQL and BI tools like Tableau/Looker, combined with deep domain expertise in AdTech, indicates a strong need for data fluency. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their hands-on experience with these technologies and how they've used them to drive operational improvements and strategic insights.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A core tenet, emphasizing the use of analytics and metrics to guide strategy and operations.

• Operational Rigor: A commitment to establishing and maintaining efficient, well-defined processes that drive predictable outcomes and continuous improvement.

• Strategic Alignment: Ensuring all operational efforts directly support and advance the overarching product and business objectives of the advertising platforms.

• Collaboration & Influence: Fostering strong partnerships across Product, Engineering, Data Science, and other GTM functions, and effectively influencing stakeholders without direct authority.

• Bias for Action & Outcomes: A proactive approach focused on driving results and delivering tangible impact in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly cross-functional, requiring active engagement with diverse teams.

• Emphasis on clear, concise communication, especially when presenting to senior leadership.

• A culture of continuous feedback and iterative improvement, particularly around OKRs and performance reviews.

• Proactive knowledge sharing and a willingness to mentor and learn from colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: Disney's culture often emphasizes creativity and storytelling, but within this specific role, the values lean heavily towards analytical rigor, operational discipline, and strategic execution, aligning with the demands of a high-impact operations function.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Operating within a large, matrixed organization like Disney requires strong influencing skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across various departments and stakeholders.

• AdTech Evolution: The advertising technology landscape is constantly changing. Staying abreast of new technologies, regulations, and market trends is crucial for maintaining strategic relevance.

• Data Integration & Insights: Synthesizing data from disparate systems to create a unified view of performance and extract actionable insights can be a significant challenge.

• Driving Change: Implementing new processes or strategic shifts within a large organization requires robust change management and stakeholder buy-in.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AdTech Specialization: Gain unparalleled experience in the rapidly growing and evolving AdTech sector within one of the world's leading media companies.

• Executive Exposure: Direct interaction with senior leadership (CPTO and their reports) provides invaluable insights into executive decision-making and strategic planning.

• Process Optimization Expertise: Develop advanced skills in OKR management, performance measurement, and operational forum design, which are highly transferable across industries.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Broaden your understanding of product development, engineering lifecycles, and GTM strategies by working closely with diverse teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity to tackle complex challenges in a dynamic industry, with commensurate growth potential. The ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results will be key to overcoming challenges and maximizing growth opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach setting OKRs for a new advertising platform feature, and what key metrics would you prioritize?" (Focus on structured OKR methodology, data-driven target setting, and understanding of ad platform metrics).

• "Describe a time you had to influence senior leadership on a strategic decision regarding product performance or operational improvements. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight influencing skills, data storytelling, and strategic communication).

• "Imagine our click-through rates (CTR) have unexpectedly dropped by 15%. How would you investigate this issue, what data would you look for, and what steps would you recommend to address it?" (Demonstrate analytical problem-solving, SQL/BI tool usage, and understanding of ad performance drivers). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working in the advertising technology space at a company like Disney?" (Showcase your passion for AdTech and understanding of Disney's unique position).

• "This role requires significant cross-functional collaboration. How do you typically build relationships and gain buy-in from engineering and product teams?" (Emphasize collaboration style, communication strategies, and understanding of different functional perspectives).

• "How do you measure the success of your operational initiatives and their impact on revenue or business goals?" (Focus on quantifiable results, ROI, and linking operations to business outcomes). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly define the "Situation," "Task," "Action," and "Result" (STAR method).

• Quantify Everything: Use numbers, percentages, and data points to demonstrate the impact of your work. Show improvement metrics, efficiency gains, or revenue impact.

• Visuals: If possible, use anonymized screenshots of dashboards, reports, or process flows to illustrate your work.

• Focus on "Why": Explain the strategic rationale behind your actions and how they aligned with broader business objectives.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key findings and impact within a limited timeframe, focusing on the most critical achievements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of operations principles within the AdTech context, showcasing analytical prowess, and highlighting your ability to drive strategic outcomes through rigorous execution and effective collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy and Operations Principal position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience, focusing on roles in Strategy, Operations, or Analytics within technology or consulting. Emphasize your experience with OKRs, KPIs, SQL, BI tools (Tableau/Looker), and your deep understanding of the advertising ecosystem. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that showcase your ability to drive strategic initiatives, perform complex data analysis, implement operational rigor, and influence stakeholders. Be ready to discuss these in detail, focusing on quantifiable results and strategic impact.

• Research Disney's AdTech: Understand Disney's advertising products, their market position, and any recent news or strategic initiatives related to their advertising platforms. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice your pitch: Be ready to articulate your experience and value proposition concisely, highlighting your strengths in strategic planning, operational execution, and data-driven decision-making within the AdTech domain.

⚠️ 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.