Director Project Management, Walt Disney Imagineering

About Walt Disney Imagineering

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.

Walt Disney Imagineering UK is looking to build a local team located in London to drive the development and execution of new projects for Disney Cruise Line.  This is a great opportunity to be part of an organization supporting the efforts of building an office and team to deliver multiple projects.  This position will report to the Portfolio Executive for Project Management.

Purpose of the Role

In this newly created role, the Project Management Executive will be responsible for leading new build projects and dry dock projects with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, integration, documentation, safety, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Develop the project delivery strategy, accountable for effectiveness and ensuring team understanding, and lead the team in delivering in accordance with the defined strategies; dynamically reassess strategies for effectiveness and change course when needed
• Establish a project culture of proactive change and risk management in addition to leading the implementation, and ensure the health of these programs
• Help to identify estimate gaps; understand trade-offs in factors that impact the estimate and knock on effects; align the team in understanding and delivering within the baseline parameters

• Effectively manage project contingency, authorize its use, and identify opportunity to reduce cost throughout the project lifecycle
• Determine project delivery and commercial risks, the likelihood of occurrence, and impact; implement mitigation plans and establish contingency or plans necessary to produce reliable project cost and schedule projection

• Serve as an adept problem solver of project issues and find common ground during conflict to resolve opposing positions; have a good appreciation for trade-offs and the importance of the Disney brand
• Understand business drivers and market conditions in order to incorporate into plans, decision making, negotiations, and solutions for successful results
• Lead negotiations for contracts, project changes, and claims
• Leverage lessons learned and best practices to increase project efficiency, reduce risk, and educate team
• Collaborate, build sustainable cross-functional relationships, and provide leadership to internal and external organizations including project team, design studios, operations, municipalities, vendors, and contractors; build trust, understanding, and effective collaboration with operations leadership to ensure satisfaction with project delivery
• Create high performing teams through leadership style, team design and chemistry, continuous alignment, clear communication of goals and action plans, decisiveness, and feedback on performance

• Supervise other project managers, determine staffing requirements, set priorities, direct work, and conduct performance evaluations

Experience required

• Significant project management experience, leading multiple complex projects and large teams
• Technical background in a related field such as engineering, architecture or construction management
• Maritime industry experience ideal

Skills required

• Ability to lead staff, consultants, and vendors including setting clear goals and standards, delegating responsibilities effectively, prioritizing tasks, coordinating work, and managing scope, time and performance
• Highly skilled and effective negotiator for contracts, project changes, and claims
• Significant contract administration and claims management experience
• Strong meeting leadership, facilitation, conflict resolution, and alignment skills
• Strong communication, collaboration, technical writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills that are audience appropriate

Additional Information

This role is based in Hammersmith 4 days a week.

Please apply by 6th October.