Senior Principal, Ad Strategy & Operations

The Walt Disney Company • San Francisco, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology is a global organization focused on building and advancing the technological backbone for Disney’s media business. The team combines technology with creativity to create world-class products, enhance storytelling, and drive innovation and scalability. Technologists in this area are designing and building the products and platforms that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses. The Ad Platforms team is responsible for Disney’s industry-leading ad technology and products, driving advertising performance, innovation, and value across Disney’s content and platforms. This role is strategic, operational, and involves executive advisory support to enable the EVP and leadership team to focus on high-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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

Benefits

• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package
• 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: Senior