Job Posting Title:

Director, Retail Innovation and Commercialization

Req ID:

10099122

Job Description:

Reporting to the VP Retail Strategy – Integration & Operations, this individual will identify, forecast, and direct the BlueSky trends that synthesize with WDW, DLR, and DSE and guide the innovation of the Parks organization. This individual will be a key member of the leadership team and will also partner closely with the SVP of Parks Product Development & Retail to drive innovation and Guest retail strategies within the business segment-wide and globally. Additionally, this leader will drive cross-category strategies and Site commercial and marketing relationships to support Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Signature Experiences.

• Lead and inspire a diverse team of retail researchers to identify, forecast, design and articulate disruptive consumer trends (both external and guest centered) as well as retail landscape trends (both macro-level, product level, and Disney owned) for Retail across WDW, DLR, and DSE.

• Drive business relevance and growth by synthesizing and articulating numerous external market signals (both external and Disney Guest centered) into long-term business opportunities for Parks/DSE Retail.

• BlueSky Forecasting and consulting with senior leadership on specific retail futures scenario opportunities as well long-term innovation planning.

• Create an innovation “Pipeline” to test new, disruptive products across key categories.

• Build a dynamic organizational wide platform to house, share, and engage ownable Disney Trends with the broader Parks organization.

• Regularly track and analyze Guest feedback on Disney Parks Products.

• Develop BlueSky roadmap to enable test and scalable retail growth though a comprehensive qualitative and/or quantitative approach. Ensure these insights are represented in creative concepts and overall direction.

• Leverage key internal consumer data and market knowledge to develop insights and strategies that optimize planning for the organization.

• Democratize data is such a way that makes it accessible, useable and engaging; synthesize data into fresh insights that will inspire new thinking.

• Lead, and train consumer centered innovation processes (e.g. design thinking) to inspire a new generation of consumer centered products and experiences, as well as ignite a culture of innovation within Park/DSE Merchandise.

• Develop and drive commercial strategies and Marketing integration to support Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Signature Experiences.

• Work with the Franchise and Brand Integration team to drive support the development of Site-centric strategies to support key franchise and synergy initiatives.

• Lead on-going analysis of results (both commercial metrics and social/marketing metrics) to improve business performance and support future decisions.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 7+ years of experience in retail concept innovation and development, forecasting, and product strategy (experience within Consumer Insights functions is a plus)

• College degree in related field of study

• Demonstrated depth of knowledge and experience in consumer behavioral trends and how to translate to retail and product whitespace, while driving commercialization business value

• Proven analytical and innovation BlueSky capabilities

• Superior communication skills and capacity to deliver compelling and influential vision, while creating clear and actionable strategies that are measurable and impactful to the business

• Strong executive presence and reputation for fostering critical collaborations with both cross-functional teams and multiple levels of senior leadership across TWDC and external industry leaders.

Preferred Education:

• MBA and/or Master’s Degree in Innovation and Organizational Creativity

Job Posting Segment:

NA - Global Product

Job Posting Primary Business:

NA - Global Product

Primary Job Posting Category:

Retail Merchandising - Planning

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Kissimmee, FL, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2024-08-30