Walt Disney Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of Disney’s Parks and Resorts business segment. Representing more than 150 disciplines, its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation of Disney resorts, theme parks and attractions, hotels, water parks, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, cruise ships and new media technology projects. Our mission is to create magical Disney experiences around the world that provide opportunities for friends and families to spend time together . . . making memories that last a lifetime.

We are seeking a collaborative leader for the Land & Urban Planning studio. This studio has the charter to develop a master planning framework which best articulates, preserves and realizes a vision for the greatest potential of our land and built environments for each of our seven global destination resorts.

Using the foundational principles of deliberate placement, sequence and connectivity, our master plans inspire and enrich the “story of place” — the authentic history, character and features that define an immersive, magical Disney destination resort in locations as diverse as Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Shanghai.

We collaborate with creative thinkers, business and operational partners and a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to analyze key layers of the experience (figure ground, natural features, access, circulation, etc.) and develop planning strategies to inform short and long-range development decisions in keeping with the unique vision, master land use and urban planning context of each site. This approach results in a comprehensive master plan for each resort to guide short and long-term growth. We also manage a suite of tools to record, measure and visualize planning data to inform and communicate our global master planning efforts.

Responsibilities
With direction and oversight from the Menu & Master Planning Executive, he/she will lead an small integrated team representing five key areas of expertise:
Serving as the trusted resource for land and resort planning intelligence of our global resorts
Developing planning principles to establish the unique character, quality of place and defining features aligned with the creative vision for each portfolio
Managing the master land use and comprehensive master plan for each resort which identifies areas for short and long-term growth
Providing site and land use analysis for project-specific efforts
Identifying opportunities to evolve our comprehensive plans through active engagement with WDI creative portfolio leaders as well as other internal and external partners
Leads the process of maintaining a consistent, yet evolving, overall vision of the each property (annual Master Land Use Plan) while responding to changing market and strategic planning conditions, internal and external creative influences, and project specific requirements for each new development opportunity
Acts as a key strategic and business development liaison, creating new relationships with key decision makers and shapers of the Global Menu Plan, expanding the Land & Urban Planning studio’s stable of clients and portfolio partnerships
Possesses an intuitive understanding of the pre-development and real estate development and specific environmental and regulatory processes which impact planning strategy in each resort
Continually assesses available technology (modeling, data management, rendering, and GIS) against proven studio planning methodologies and business practices and make recommendations to senior leadership on appropriate directions to pursue
Manages high complexity of work and risk with high level of sensitivity
Functional leader responsible for hiring, firing, leading, developing, directing priorities, performance reviews, merit and bonus planning for the studio
Develops resource plans, AOP and technology budget recommendations and manages all aspects of the casting and focus for studio work product
Develops, reviews and approves work plans for all studio-related efforts
Makes individual project and work assignment decisions in correlation with our internal resource strategies
Works independently without direct supervision
Primary representative of the Land & Urban Planning studio within WDI
Serves as a member of the Menu & Master Planning leadership team with peer leaders of studio (Menu Planning, Franchise Management and Pre-Development)
Basic Qualifications
Minimum of 12 years job related experience of large scale community, resort or entertainment/leisure projects in architectural, urban planning or urban design practice
Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in successfully managing personnel, providing leadership, mentoring, coaching and guidance and managing a team through all phases of the planning process.
Demonstrated general knowledge of urban design and planning, urban history and theory, planning and environmental law, and private and public development
Ability to successfully lead small project teams, including consultants, staff extensions, interns and contractors on assigned projects
Highly collaborative and team oriented work style
Positive attitude and proven ability to influence partners
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally, written and in formal speech/presentation settings with peers and senior leaders
Ability to establish direction and direct execution of work for self and others
Ability to both think at a high level and execute at a tactical level
Advanced knowledge and competence in the use of ESRI developed software
Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote, advanced Excel, and other graphic communication software
Membership, and active participation, in one or more professional organizations such as AICP, ASLA, ULI, AIA, APA, SARA, NCARB, LEED
Preferred Qualifications
Proven and sustained experience in developing large-scale entertainment/leisure planning projects
Strong technical understanding of planning tools and software
Proven experience in leveraging and evolving the use of technology in service of a planning practice
Knowledge and appreciation for the Disney brand
Knowledge and/or planning experience with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Preferred Education
Advanced graduate degree in a related specialized field
Continued education and advanced studies in computer science and/or GIS (Geographic Information Systems), preferred
Required Education
Professional degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning or related planning degree from an accredited program.
Landscape Architecture or Architecture license or other professional planning credentials.