Franchise Strategy & Location-Based Experiences Manager

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $105,100.00 - $140,900.00
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Employee Discounts
Educational opportunities

Job Description

Disney Parks International (DPI) is a premier division within The Walt Disney Company, renowned worldwide for delivering extraordinary entertainment experiences by leveraging beloved Disney franchises and characters. DPI is responsible for the operation and development of Disney parks and resorts outside of the United States, along with managing franchise and licensing partnerships globally. This division is committed to creating immersive, high-quality experiences that uphold Disney's revered storytelling tradition and brand integrity. Through collaboration with various creative, commercial, and operational partners, DPI brings magic to audiences around the world in several international markets, contributing significantly to Disney's global footprint and cultural impact.

The Franchise Strategy and Location-Based Experiences Manager role is a critical position within Disney Parks International that supports strategic franchise initiatives and project management related to the Duffy and Friends franchise and Disney Location-Based Experiences (DLBE). This role requires a highly organized and detail-oriented professional capable of navigating a complex matrixed environment working cross-functionally with creative teams, business units, and external partners. Reporting directly to the Director of Franchise Strategy & Management and Location-Based Experiences, this position plays a vital role in ensuring alignment, proactive risk management, and the timely execution of strategic objectives.

Based either in Glendale, California, or Hong Kong, the Franchise Strategy and Location-Based Experiences Manager will focus on driving cohesive branding and commercially effective programs, enhancing the Duffy and Friends franchise’s growth, and supporting new and ongoing location-based projects that extend Disney's IP reach. The manager will facilitate cross-site collaboration by tracking project milestones, managing workflows, and synthesizing data to inform leadership decision-making. This role is deeply involved in preparing strategic communications, managing creative and operational workflows, and supporting the seamless delivery of experiences that meet Disney's standards of quality, safety, and guest satisfaction.

A major facet of this role is working with the Duffy and Friends franchise to drive evolution through partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Live Entertainment, and Parks site teams. This includes involvement in content development, marketing strategies, and brand partner activations to sustain and grow franchise commercial impact. Moreover, the manager will support corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at building long-term brand equity through year-round engagement campaigns.

The DLBE aspect involves close collaboration with licensees and vendors worldwide to ensure location-based experiences leveraging popular franchises from 20th Century Studios and National Geographic are conceptually sound and executed flawlessly. The manager will assist in the creative review process, monitor production milestones, and coordinate cross-functional inputs to uphold the Disney quality seal.

This position requires a minimum of three years of experience in strategy, project management, marketing, or franchise-related roles, preferably within themed entertainment or live experience sectors. The candidate must exhibit strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to influence without direct authority. Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, project management software like SmartSheet or Airtable, and digital asset tracking platforms such as Adobe Workfront is essential.

The compensation for this role in Glendale, CA ranges from $105,100 to $140,900 annually, plus potential bonuses and long-term incentives. Disney offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' well-being, financial security, and professional growth. This role represents a unique career opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success and innovation of Disney's global franchise and location-based experience portfolio in a dynamic and collaborative workplace.

Job Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • Minimum 3 years experience in strategy, project management, marketing, or franchise related roles
  • Experience in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
  • Strong analytical and communication skills
  • Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and support senior stakeholders without direct authority
  • High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools
  • Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and digital asset management platforms preferred

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • 3 years of experience in strategy, project management, marketing, or franchise related roles within a fast-paced, matrixed environment
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and support senior stakeholders without direct authority
  • High attention to detail
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Creative, data-informed mindset with ability to translate insights into clear recommendations
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, CoPilot, PowerPoint, Keynote, Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Quicktime Player, VLC
  • Experience managing FTP site and server
  • Experience with SmartSheet, Airtable, or other project management software

Job Duties

  • Support the development and execution of select initiatives for Duffy and Friends and DLBE by coordinating inputs across sites, lines of business, and internal partners
  • Act as an integration point for assigned workstreams by supporting alignment across creative, commercial, and operational stakeholders
  • tracking progress against key milestones
  • and proactively flagging risks and dependencies
  • Assist in preparing strategic materials, presentations, and updates for leadership reviews, forums, and working sessions, as well as regular reports to senior leadership
  • Support team operations by managing project workflows and asset tracking tools including Adobe Workfront, maintaining IP specific approval workflows, and ensuring visibility, compliance, and on time coordination across portfolios
  • Partner closely with internal stakeholders including franchise strategy leadership, licensees, Parks site teams, Consumer Insights, and Creative and contribute to identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, improve documentation, and enhance cross team communication
  • Contribute to a high trust, collaborative team environment through strong organization, attention to detail, and proactive communication
  • Support the ongoing evolution of the Duffy and Friends brand by coordinating with cross-functional partners including Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Live Entertainment, and Parks site teams to align priorities, inputs, and execution as the franchise grows toward its long-term vision
  • Support development and execution of integrated content and marketing strategies by assisting with creative briefing, agency coordination, asset reviews, and delivery management to enable strong in-market performance and partner relationships
  • Assist in advancing franchise level commercial innovation initiatives by supporting analysis, coordination, and execution of high impact opportunities across sites, including preparation of leadership-ready recommendations through rotating project workstreams
  • Partner with Corporate Alliance teams to evaluate potential brand partners, review proposals and planned activations for brand alignment, track performance, and synthesize key learnings to inform future franchise opportunities
  • Support activation of a corporate social responsibility campaign by assisting with planning and execution of brand-led activations and a year-round approach that builds awareness, affinity, and long-term brand equity
  • Support ongoing budget tracking and administrative needs related to franchise initiatives
  • Assist with managing day-to-day communication across relevant licensees, vendors, and internal partners throughout creative development to support consistent, on-brand execution
  • Support creative, design, and attraction development review processes by consolidating feedback, tracking approvals, and ensuring required stakeholders are engaged at appropriate stages
  • Assist in monitoring execution and installation milestones to support delivery of experiences that meet Disney quality, safety, and guest experience standards
  • Support project management and lifecycle coordination by maintaining project trackers, deliverable matrices, timelines, and documentation for assigned projects and licensees
  • Support research, analysis, and synthesis related to DLBE business performance, market trends, competitive landscape, and prospective licensee concepts to inform strategy discussions and leadership materials
  • For active locations, assist with product-related coordination by supporting assortment inputs, tracking performance metrics, and contributing to internal reporting and future planning

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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