Manager, Budget Planning & Operations

The Walt Disney Company • Washington, DC

3d • $95,500 - $128,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Budget Planning & Operations plays a pivotal role in driving budget planning, operational excellence, and financial stewardship across the entire Production Services & Operations team, working across Production Services, Content Operations, Engineering, and Editorial Operations. The role partners directly with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to translate business priorities into financial plans, operational roadmaps, executive reporting, and cross-functional execution. The role also leads financial governance for AI-related initiatives across National Geographic, including vendor cost management, investment tracking, budget controls, and alignment with Disney enterprise financial strategy through partnership with AI vendors, third-party companies, Production & Innovation teams, the Office of Technology Enablement, and Finance COEs. Additionally, the role manages and develops a team responsible for production services operations, project management, financial coordination, and cross-functional execution.

Requirements

• At least seven years of experience in a senior financial planning, operations management, or budget planning role, preferably in media, entertainment, or production environments.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Operations, related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience advising senior executives or department heads on financial and operational strategy.
• Experience managing complex budgets across multiple departments, cost centers, or business functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in financial modeling and data visualization.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Expertise in financial systems.
• Exceptional knowledge of Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in post-production, editorial operations, or engineering workflows.
• Familiarity with Disney’s operational standards and financial practices.
• Personnel management experience and ability to mentor junior team members.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of operational and financial strategies across multiple departments, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.
• Oversee OpEx and CapEx budget planning, forecasting, and performance tracking, leveraging data-driven insights to inform decisions.
• Lead financial governance for AI-related initiatives across National Geographic, including vendor cost modeling, budget tracking, funding recommendations, usage reporting, stakeholder coordination, and alignment with Disney enterprise AI and finance policies.
• Provide leadership, coaching, prioritization, and performance management for direct reports, ensuring team output supports department goals and executive priorities.
• Serves as a budget advisor to the Senior Vice President, Production Services & Operations, providing financial insights, operational recommendations, and scenario analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Build and maintain advanced financial models and dashboards to support scenario planning, cost analysis, and performance reporting.
• Leverage data visualization techniques and communication skills to present complex analytical findings in clear business terms that facilitate execution by business partners and senior executives.
• Assess needs, define, and drive large-scale analytical and operational projects to add incremental value, establish new business practices, and improve budget precision.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support budget initiatives and operational continuity.
• Partner with the Senior Vice President, Production Services & Operations to drive the execution of priorities through coordination, stakeholder alignment, and detailed project management.
• Lead strategy meetings, including setting agendas, managing follow-ups, and ensuring alignment across stakeholders.
• Develop policies, procedures, and training sessions in partnership with senior leadership to meet evolving departmental needs.
• Act as a primary point of contact for resolving complex operational or financial issues, ensuring timely solutions and seamless communication across internal and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate and optimize current business processes, identifying areas for continuous improvement to drive operational efficiency across production and editorial operations.
• Oversee vendor financial operations, including vendor onboarding, purchase order governance, invoice escalation, cost controls, and process compliance across production services and operations.
• Champion continuous improvement by identifying and implementing innovative solutions to operational challenges.
• Represent Planning & Operations in executive forums and cross-departmental meetings, ensuring visibility and alignment of priorities.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager