Job Summary:

Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life. Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals that bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion.

At Imagineering Research and Development, our mission is to use technology to build new experiences for our Guests and new tools for Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks. As R&D’s Business Manager, you will join a team of engineers, designers, artists and scientists who share a passion for solving hard problems. Your primary function is managing R&D department finances. You will be a trusted partner with R&D leadership, project teams, and WDI finance, working to deliver cutting edge technology planforms. You will also own key operations functions, using your analytical skills and creativity to enable innovation across the department.

Responsibilities:

• Manage department finances, including budget tracking across all projects and operational costs

• Provide strategic analysis of department spending, analyzing trends and providing insight into risks and opportunities

• Develop qualitative and quantitative financial justifications for the development of new technology platforms

• Attend project updates, becoming a trusted partner to R&D projects teams

• Manage monthly reconciliation of forecasted project spending and reported actuals as well as fiscal year-end close out

• Produce spreadsheets and documents to support yearly financial planning for both capital and P&L budgets

• Manage all capital equipment requests and depreciation of assets

• Assist project teams with make/buy analysis, partnering with team leads to strategize how to most effectively use available resources

• Partner with the R&D productization program lead to build capital funding requests

• Build strong relationships with WDI and DPEP finance and controllership

• Own department resource planning

• Manage the project pitch process and project close-out process, working with new project teams to articulate project work plans and ensuring that project complete final deliverables at completion

• Manage space planning for the department, ensuring that all projects have the space they need to be successful

• Functionally manage R&D support roles

Basic Qualifications:

• 7+ year experience in a financial analysis or business management role

• Strong excel skills and financial modeling experience

• Thinks strategically, with demonstrated analytical decision-making skills

• Proven ability to creatively solve challenges

• Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to craft compelling and influential business justifications

• Proactive, able to work in a flexible, fast-paced environment

• Works collaboratively on diverse teams

• Manages & prioritizes multiple assignments in a highly dynamic R&D environment

• Has a passion for technology and delivering new tools, platforms and experiences

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Finance, or related field

Preferred Education

MBA preferred