Product Strategy & Planning Manager (IA/Project Hire)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy & Planning Manager (IA/Project Hire)

Company: The Walt Disney Company

Location: Lake Buena Vista, FL, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Strategic Planning / Product Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-07-29

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive long-term commercial product strategies and initiatives that directly impact Walt Disney World's Parks and Resorts, focusing on maximizing long-term profitability and guest experience.

• Lead complex, large-scale business development projects, including site commercial needs assessment and capital menu inputs for Attractions & Entertainment.

• Utilize a data-driven approach, analyzing internal and external trends, consumer insights, and market performance to develop compelling business cases and actionable strategies.

• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships and influence stakeholders at all levels to champion new product creation and strategic alignment.

• Project manage the implementation of approved initiatives, ensuring seamless new product development and delivery within a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply embedded within the commercial strategy of Walt Disney World, requiring a blend of strategic foresight, analytical rigor, and strong project management skills. The "IA/Project Hire" designation suggests this role might be for a specific, defined project or initiative, possibly with a fixed term or a clear deliverable. This implies a need for candidates who can hit the ground running and deliver tangible results within a structured timeframe, aligning with GTM (Go-To-Market) and product strategy frameworks.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of commercial product strategies for Walt Disney World's Parks and Resorts, focusing on long-term growth and profitability.

• Conduct comprehensive market assessments and competitive positioning analyses to identify and evaluate new business opportunities.

• Analyze internal and external trends, consumer insights, and performance data to inform product strategy and investment decisions.

• Develop structured frameworks and business cases for new, large-scale incremental business opportunities, including site commercial needs assessment and capital menu inputs for Attractions & Entertainment.

• Optimize and transform existing product offerings by analyzing performance trends and integrating consumer insight research.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners such as Finance, Consumer Insight, Industrial Engineering, and Revenue Planning to ensure integrated and balanced product strategies.

• Present recommendations and gain approval from senior leadership, tailoring communication style and content to executive, manager, and peer group audiences.

• Project manage the implementation of approved initiatives, independently leading partners and processes to ensure successful new product creation and delivery.

• Actively participate in or lead large cross-functional forums, driving discussions, influencing outcomes, and championing alignment for key short- and long-term initiatives.

• Effectively prioritize and manage a high volume of complex work in a fast-paced environment, clearly defining objectives and steps for project progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to strategy development and execution. The role requires not just ideation but also the ability to translate those ideas into actionable plans, secure buy-in, and manage implementation. This aligns with GTM operations, where strategic planning directly influences market entry and product lifecycle management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Industrial Engineering, Marketing, or another quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Master's Degree or MBA strongly preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) to eight (8)+ years of experience in business development, strategy, consulting, brand management, finance, marketing, innovation, or digital product management.

• Deep expertise in consumer products, theme parks, and/or resort industries is highly desirable.

• Hands-on experience with P&L management, capital projects, and annual operating plans is crucial. Required Skills:

• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to lead complex work and produce long-term strategies.

• Entrepreneurial spirit with proven business development and product strategy experience.

• Ability to develop cohesive, succinct, and actionable strategies using disparate and complex consumer-led insights from cross-functional sources.

• High emotional intelligence with a proven ability to build strong partnerships and deliver results across diverse teams, often influencing without formal ownership.

• Skill in translating complex problems into elegant solutions and articulating compelling stories, both verbally and in writing.

• Proven ability to manage a large volume of complex work effectively and efficiently, with strong prioritization skills to ensure business results are achieved.

• Business acumen in understanding and interpreting P&L statements, capital project lifecycles, and annual operating plans.

• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to present with poise, confidence, and an authentic style to senior executive leaders.

• Proficiency in data interpretation and communication. Preferred Skills:

• Direct knowledge of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts products and experiences.

• Experience in innovation and digital product management within the entertainment or hospitality sectors.

• Familiarity with revenue management principles and practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements highlight a need for seasoned professionals. The "3+ years" for basic qualifications and "8+ years" for preferred qualifications suggest a range, but the emphasis on leadership, strategic thinking, and financial acumen points towards a mid-to-senior level role. The preference for industry-specific knowledge is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of developing and executing complex, long-term product strategies with measurable business impact.

• Case studies showcasing successful navigation of matrix organizations