Manager, ILS Operations & Technology Enablement
The Walt Disney Company, Glendale, CA, United States
Job Summary
The Strategic Development team designs and evolves the compliance architecture of the International Labor Standards (ILS) group to meet multi-regulatory human rights due diligence (HRDD) requirements across jurisdictions. Serving as a centralized hub to enable effective compliance execution, the team leads compliance strategy & program design, regulatory readiness, operating model evolution, technology & platform strategy, and enterprise enablement.
About the Team
Strategic Development collaborates closely with global compliance operations, regional management, enterprise technology, legal, policy, and business leaders to ensure the compliance system is scalable, HRDD-ready, and risk-aligned.
Position Overview
The
Manager, ILS Operations & Technology Enablement
leads the department's operational excellence and technology enablement portfolio within Strategic Development and develops the team responsible for delivering this mandate.
Key Responsibilities
1. Compliance Technology Strategy & Platform Governance
This role centralizes operational and technology standards to prevent duplication, siloed builds, and architectural misalignment.
Serve as the accountable business owner for the ILS Program compliance platform and partner with Enterprise Technology to define system requirements
Establish governance standards for backlog prioritization, feature approval, sustainment planning, data governance, and documentation
Ensure platform evolution aligns with the department's broader technology strategy
Identify fragmentation risks across compliance platforms and elevate alignment recommendations
Participate in cross‑functional governance forums to promote ecosystem integration
Define principles for system interoperability, data consistency, and user experience coherence
Support the definition of a departmental multi‑year technology roadmap aligned to regulatory obligations and operating model design
2. Automation & AI Integration
Identify high‑impact automation and AI use cases within compliance operations
Develop pilots and business cases for workflow automation and risk‑based decision support
Establish guardrails for responsible AI use in compliance decision environments
Measure impact of automation on cost, cycle time, and risk mitigation
3. Data Governance & Analytics Enablement
Define business data ownership and data quality standards for compliance platforms
Partner with enterprise data teams to integrate compliance data into corporate data architecture
Establish KPI dashboards and operational metrics (e.g., cycle time, control effectiveness, exception rates, risk distribution)
Ensure traceability between regulatory requirements, controls, and system outputs
4. Operational Excellence & Workflow Modernization
This role builds and institutionalizes a centralized operational excellence capability.
Lead structured workflow modernization initiatives across compliance execution
Establish process design standards and documentation norms for the department
Reduce manual workload and operational inefficiencies through disciplined process engineering
Introduce performance dashboards to drive accountability and continuous improvement
Promote consistent execution standards across regions and regulatory programs
5. Transformation & Cross‑Regulatory Operating Model Enablement
Lead technology‑enabled transformation initiatives aligned to the department's integrated operating model
Translate structural and governance decisions into system and workflow implications
Ensure platform capabilities support role clarity, decision rights, and cross‑functional integration
Support operating model implementation by embedding process and technology coherence
6. Financial & Strategic Planning Support
Develop business cases for platform and workflow investments
Propose annual OKRs and performance targets for team
Support Strategic Development team budget planning with spend forecasts and ROI modeling
Provide data‑driven justifications for technology and optimization initiatives
7. Team Leadership & Capability Development
Lead, coach, and develop a team of operational specialists to deploy technology-enabled solutions
Establish clear performance expectations aligned to departmental strategy
Build technical and strategic capability across platform ownership, workflow design, and analytics
Create succession depth and development pathways for direct reports
Foster a culture of structured problem-solving, performance discipline, and continuous improvement
Model cross-functional collaboration and professional maturity in politically complex environments
Experience Required
8+ years in compliance operations, enterprise transformation, or technology-enabled operational roles
3+ years of people management experience with demonstrated team development impact
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives
Experience serving as business owner for enterprise platforms
Experience delivering measurable operational performance improvements
Experience building business cases for technology investment
Preferred
Exposure to global regulatory compliance environments (e.g., UFLPA, EUDR, CSDDD)
Familiarity with governance and risk frameworks (e.g., COSO ERM, ISO 37301, IIA Three Lines)
Skills & Competencies
Strategy & Transformation:
Program and project leadership; change implementation sequencing; operating model enhancement support; cross-functional alignment
Technical & Functional:
Process mapping and workflow engineering; platform governance and system requirements definition; data governance and KPI design; risk and control integration; regulatory requirement translation into system logic; automation and AI enablement strategy
Analytical:
Ability to identify structural inefficiencies and root causes; strong quantitative and data interpretation capability; business case modeling and cost-benefit analysis; systems thinking across multi-regulatory environment
Leadership & Influence:
Ability to work cross-functionally across compliance, legal, technology, and business teams; clear executive communication and structured presentation skills; ability to operate in ambiguous, evolving regulatory environments; strong stakeholder management and prioritization capability
Team & People Development:
Talent development and coaching; delegation with accountability; performance management; capability building in technical teams; constructive feedback and succession planning
Education
Bachelor's degree in international studies, political science, public policy, economics, business administration, sustainability, supply chain management, information systems, or related field; advanced degree preferred
Additional Information
This position is an on-site role requiring a minimum of four days per week in the office, with Glendale, CA as the preferred location; other U.S. locations with Disney offices may be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptionally qualified candidates. The hiring range for this position in California is $126,800.00 - $170,000.00 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.
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The Strategic Development team designs and evolves the compliance architecture of the International Labor Standards (ILS) group to meet multi-regulatory human rights due diligence (HRDD) requirements across jurisdictions. Serving as a centralized hub to enable effective compliance execution, the team leads compliance strategy & program design, regulatory readiness, operating model evolution, technology & platform strategy, and enterprise enablement.
About the Team
Strategic Development collaborates closely with global compliance operations, regional management, enterprise technology, legal, policy, and business leaders to ensure the compliance system is scalable, HRDD-ready, and risk-aligned.
Position Overview
The
Manager, ILS Operations & Technology Enablement
leads the department's operational excellence and technology enablement portfolio within Strategic Development and develops the team responsible for delivering this mandate.
Key Responsibilities
1. Compliance Technology Strategy & Platform Governance
This role centralizes operational and technology standards to prevent duplication, siloed builds, and architectural misalignment.
Serve as the accountable business owner for the ILS Program compliance platform and partner with Enterprise Technology to define system requirements
Establish governance standards for backlog prioritization, feature approval, sustainment planning, data governance, and documentation
Ensure platform evolution aligns with the department's broader technology strategy
Identify fragmentation risks across compliance platforms and elevate alignment recommendations
Participate in cross‑functional governance forums to promote ecosystem integration
Define principles for system interoperability, data consistency, and user experience coherence
Support the definition of a departmental multi‑year technology roadmap aligned to regulatory obligations and operating model design
2. Automation & AI Integration
Identify high‑impact automation and AI use cases within compliance operations
Develop pilots and business cases for workflow automation and risk‑based decision support
Establish guardrails for responsible AI use in compliance decision environments
Measure impact of automation on cost, cycle time, and risk mitigation
3. Data Governance & Analytics Enablement
Define business data ownership and data quality standards for compliance platforms
Partner with enterprise data teams to integrate compliance data into corporate data architecture
Establish KPI dashboards and operational metrics (e.g., cycle time, control effectiveness, exception rates, risk distribution)
Ensure traceability between regulatory requirements, controls, and system outputs
4. Operational Excellence & Workflow Modernization
This role builds and institutionalizes a centralized operational excellence capability.
Lead structured workflow modernization initiatives across compliance execution
Establish process design standards and documentation norms for the department
Reduce manual workload and operational inefficiencies through disciplined process engineering
Introduce performance dashboards to drive accountability and continuous improvement
Promote consistent execution standards across regions and regulatory programs
5. Transformation & Cross‑Regulatory Operating Model Enablement
Lead technology‑enabled transformation initiatives aligned to the department's integrated operating model
Translate structural and governance decisions into system and workflow implications
Ensure platform capabilities support role clarity, decision rights, and cross‑functional integration
Support operating model implementation by embedding process and technology coherence
6. Financial & Strategic Planning Support
Develop business cases for platform and workflow investments
Propose annual OKRs and performance targets for team
Support Strategic Development team budget planning with spend forecasts and ROI modeling
Provide data‑driven justifications for technology and optimization initiatives
7. Team Leadership & Capability Development
Lead, coach, and develop a team of operational specialists to deploy technology-enabled solutions
Establish clear performance expectations aligned to departmental strategy
Build technical and strategic capability across platform ownership, workflow design, and analytics
Create succession depth and development pathways for direct reports
Foster a culture of structured problem-solving, performance discipline, and continuous improvement
Model cross-functional collaboration and professional maturity in politically complex environments
Experience Required
8+ years in compliance operations, enterprise transformation, or technology-enabled operational roles
3+ years of people management experience with demonstrated team development impact
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives
Experience serving as business owner for enterprise platforms
Experience delivering measurable operational performance improvements
Experience building business cases for technology investment
Preferred
Exposure to global regulatory compliance environments (e.g., UFLPA, EUDR, CSDDD)
Familiarity with governance and risk frameworks (e.g., COSO ERM, ISO 37301, IIA Three Lines)
Skills & Competencies
Strategy & Transformation:
Program and project leadership; change implementation sequencing; operating model enhancement support; cross-functional alignment
Technical & Functional:
Process mapping and workflow engineering; platform governance and system requirements definition; data governance and KPI design; risk and control integration; regulatory requirement translation into system logic; automation and AI enablement strategy
Analytical:
Ability to identify structural inefficiencies and root causes; strong quantitative and data interpretation capability; business case modeling and cost-benefit analysis; systems thinking across multi-regulatory environment
Leadership & Influence:
Ability to work cross-functionally across compliance, legal, technology, and business teams; clear executive communication and structured presentation skills; ability to operate in ambiguous, evolving regulatory environments; strong stakeholder management and prioritization capability
Team & People Development:
Talent development and coaching; delegation with accountability; performance management; capability building in technical teams; constructive feedback and succession planning
Education
Bachelor's degree in international studies, political science, public policy, economics, business administration, sustainability, supply chain management, information systems, or related field; advanced degree preferred
Additional Information
This position is an on-site role requiring a minimum of four days per week in the office, with Glendale, CA as the preferred location; other U.S. locations with Disney offices may be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptionally qualified candidates. The hiring range for this position in California is $126,800.00 - $170,000.00 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.
#J-18808-Ljbffr