Director, Software Engineering

The Director, AI Enablement & Strategy is the augmentation portfolio owner and culture change leader for Disney Experiences Technology. Reporting to the VP of AI Augmentation Strategy, this role owns the DXT AI augmentation roadmap and operating model, from strategy and prioritization through adoption and scale, and drives the culture shift that moves engineering and product teams toward an AI-native mindset. This role is the primary face of the AI augmentation program to senior stakeholders across DXT, and carries direct delivery accountability for DXT’s web and mobile platforms., AI Vision & Operating Model (Value Generation)

• Lead multiple technical development teams in partnership across DXT to set technical direction to enable value generation.
• Establish and communicate the AI augmentation roadmap and operating model across DXT, translating strategic direction into a sequenced, resourced plan with clear owners and milestones.
• Own the AI Value Dashboard and ROI framework, attributing measurable improvements in KPIs, productivity, quality, and value stream velocity to specific augmentation initiatives; report outcomes to senior leadership and executive sponsors.
• Lead the portfolio view across all AI augmentation workstreams, managing dependencies, sequencing, risk, issue escalation, and investment prioritization across a complex, concurrent program.
• Partner with finance and portfolio management on AI investment forecasting, value capture modeling, and OKR/KPI definition.
• Influence and align senior stakeholders across Product, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Operations, Design, and Quality on AI augmentation priorities, accelerating decisions and resolving fragmentation that slows progress.
• Manage risk and issues across the augmentation workstreams, ensuring blockers surface and resolve without loss of momentum.

Culture Shift & Adoption (Culture Shift)

• Lead the culture shift toward AI fluency and an AI-native mindset, designing and scaling experimentation programs, developer fluency initiatives, and adoption pathways that meet cast where they are.
• Own adoption and sentiment tracking across DXT; use data to identify where adoption is accelerating, stalling, or at risk, and drive targeted interventions.
• Design and run structured change management across the AI augmentation program, partnering with change management resources and Gemstone AI to ensure practices are embraced and sustained.
• Communicate the “why” behind AI augmentation decisions clearly and compellingly, connecting teams to the bigger picture and promoting ownership for outcomes.

AI Process Re-Engineering (Cross-cutting)

• Reimagine end-to-end value stream workflows using AI, moving beyond tool adoption to redesign how software is planned, built, tested, and operated; lead value stream mapping, workflow design, and AI interaction SOPs.
• Partner with the AI Engineering Tools & Practice function and persona-based SMEs to ensure process redesign is grounded in available tooling and can scale to repeatable patterns.
• Leverage strong SDLC understanding and technical acumen to connect AI-enabled changes to engineering practices

Web & Mobile Delivery

• Responsible for direct delivery within DXT’s web and mobile engineering platforms; lead teams, set technical direction, maintain delivery cadence, and use these workstreams as live proof-of-concept for AI-augmented value stream practices.
• Establish engineering standards, development processes, and quality practices across multiple initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in technology, including 5+ years in management or senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated ability to design and run technology augmentation programs across complex, matrixed organizations with multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Experience defining and tracking technology ROI and value dashboards for senior leadership.
• Strong change management and organizational influence skills; track record of driving adoption and culture change without direct authority.
• Direct delivery experience in engineering, specifically web and/or mobile platforms.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, including senior executive engagement.
• Strong change management capability., * Experience building developer fluency programs, AI adoption initiatives, or communities of practice at scale.
• Familiarity with value stream redesign, process re-engineering, and value stream mapping.
• Large-scale consumer-facing technology environment (theme parks, media, hospitality, or similar).
• Advanced degree or certifications in technology leadership, augmentation, or change management.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $228,700 to $306,700 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney’s global consumer products operations include the world’s leading licensing business; the world’s largest children’s publishing brands; one of the world’s largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web., The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. 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 Walt Disney Attractions Technology LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.