This job listing expired on Aug 23, 2019
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Job Summary:

The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) has established the Innovation initiative to identify “whitespace” new businesses for the company to enter and add to the long-term growth provided by M&A and organic Business Unit operations. Using innovation best practices of the world’s leading traditional companies that have successfully created internal centers for growth through innovation, TWDC will incorporate both internal and external mechanisms to identify, assess, develop and launch new businesses that are beyond the current focus of our Business Units. Part of this initiative will be externally oriented, specifically focusing on the Venture Capital and digital entrepreneurial communities for business ideas and emerging technologies that offer TWDC new growth opportunities.

Under the direction of the VP Innovation, execute and administer activities relating to the Disney Accelerator Program in a manner consistent with prior years’ Disney Accelerator programs as modified by the VP Innovation from time to time.

Responsibilities:

Subject to the VP Innovation’s direction and approval:

1. Program Activities and Materials. Develop, establish, execute, and administer all activities relating to the Disney Accelerator program, including preparation, startup recruitment, program operations, demo day, and post program wrap up in a manner consistent with prior Disney Accelerator programs.

2. Strategy. Collaborate with the EVP Enterprise Technology and CIO, the VP Innovation and the TWDC Corporate Strategy team to develop, research and articulate the strategy for future investment, business development, and potential M&A opportunities.

3. Program Timetable. Prepare and provide a timetable for the Program, specifying in reasonable detail the tasks and milestones to be completed and the date for such completion and complete, within such dates specified, such tasks and milestones.

4. Participants. Recruit, and solicit applications from, potential participants and evaluate and recommend the most qualified applicants to present to the VP Innovation for consideration and selection. Conduct due diligence on selected finalists.

5. Personnel. Recruit, select and train the personnel and/or consultants necessary and approved by the VP Innovation to operate the Disney Accelerator to meet or exceed the standards established by prior Disney Accelerator programs. This involves collaboration with legal, with an emphasis on Privacy and IP; the Disney Learnings team on more effective onboarding and orientation curriculum for portfolio companies’ management teams, and Talent Acquisition on strategies for attracting technical talent to TWDC.

6. Promotion. Execute any advertisement and promotion of the Disney Accelerator program and related activities, including Demo Day, in a manner consistent with prior Disney Accelerator programs.

7. Program Website, Applications System, CRM. Administer the development, design and hosting of an internet website for the Program, participant application capability and CRM (including communications with external persons and parties as requested in a manner and with messaging approved by the VP Innovation).

8. Program Reporting. Prepare and deliver to the VP Innovation such reports and other data and information related to participants’ progress and all other aspects of the program as may be requested by Disney and within the time frame so requested.

9. Demo Day Attendees. Secure the participation of qualified investors, angels and venture capitalists at demo day, all of which shall be viable candidates to invest in one or more participants (in numbers and stature similar to those who have attended similar “demo days” for prior Disney Accelerator programs and programs similar to the Disney Accelerator program), all invitees secured shall be subject to the VP Innovation’s approval.

10. Demo Day. Assist the VP Innovation as requested with all necessary preparations for and hosting of demo day, which shall include organizing and assisting participants with preparation for their product presentations and organizing and planning other aspects of demo day, in each case consistent with (in quality, information, depth and production values) prior Disney Accelerator “Demo Days.”

11. Agreements. Administer the execution of all agreements (and other documents) and information requests (such as cap tables, background check applications for participants) necessary to implement the Disney Accelerator program, including agreements with participants. All agreement and terms shall be approved and signed by the VP Innovation.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 10+ years innovating in technology and entertainment
  • Experience as a GM, mentor and/or entrepreneur in resident at an Accelerator Program
  • Experience founding, building, staffing up, growing , operating, and selling a startup a plus
  • Experience as or with startup founders working with Fortune 500 corporations to develop business development relationships and products
  • Experience funding a startup organically (with revenue) and/or external investment capital
  • Experience managing a team of product, engineering, marketing, sales, operations, and finance executives and professionals
  • Ability to go beyond the present and understand long-term trends, tells an insightful story about the future and identifies opportunities for new strategy work and growth
  • Experience building partnerships and influencing stakeholders and decision-making at all levels of a complex, global organization
  • Startup management, entrepreneur mentoring
  • Technology and product development experience
  • Strategy, innovation, corporate venture, corporate development experience
  • Strategic partnerships and business development
  • Experience with negotiations and deal structuring
  • Relationships with startup founders and entrepreneurs
  • Relationships with investors (angels, venture capitalists)
  • Media and entertainment technology industry experience

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Startup management, entrepreneur mentoring
  • In depth knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Analytics, Machine learning, Augmented Reality, eSports, Robotics, IoT, Voice based Assistants
  • A keen mind for business and business performance
  • A natural orientation to collaboration, entrepreneurship and decision-making
  • Demonstrated diplomatic courage and confidence with executive interactions
  • Demonstrated strong communication skills (written and verbal) and experienced in delivering executive presentations

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree Required

About The Walt Disney Company (Corporate):

At Disney Corporate you can see how the businesses behind the Company’s powerful brands come together to create the most innovative, far-reaching and admired entertainment company in the world. As a member of a corporate team, you’ll work with world-class leaders driving the strategies that keep The Walt Disney Company at the leading edge of entertainment. See and be seen by other innovative thinkers as you enable the greatest storytellers in the world to create memories for millions of families around the globe.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Walt Disney Company, which is part of a business segment we call The Walt Disney Company (Corporate).

The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.