VP, Creative & Advanced Development

VP, Creative & Advanced Development Disney Live Entertainment (DLE) is seeking a visionary and hands-on creative leader to serve as Vice President, Creative & Advanced Development. This role sits at the center of DLE's global creative delivery - shaping the creative vision and innovation pipeline behind the live entertainment experiences that define Disney's parks, resorts, and cruise line around the world.
Reporting to the SVP of Disney Live Entertainment, this leader is functionally responsible for the global creative team - including serving as the connective thread between site-based Creative Directors across the globe. The VP will guide creative direction and vision including the commissioning and development of major projects. They will also be responsible for leading Advanced Development, driving innovation in performance, immersive and experiential entertainment. This person is accountable for the creative quality of all of DLE's productions and ensuring that creative decision making is aligned with business objectives.
This is a role for a leader with deep roots in live storytelling - someone equally fluent in the language of theatre, themed entertainment, and immersive experience design, who can champion bold creative ambition while building the processes, structure, and global community needed to deliver it at scale.
Key Responsibilities Creative Delivery Own the successful delivery of all creative content globally, including DLE capital and expense projects, events, major integrated WDI capital projects, new lands, ships, and gates
Ensure provision of global treatment, script, and presentation review for site-based and all major productions
Oversee content creation and creative direction across live entertainment in Disney parks and cruise line
Guide creative for project review processes and regular global creative updates
Contribute to DLE's global strategic planning as part of its leadership team
Keep up to date with new industry trends and productions opening in the market in order to ensure DLE's productions remain current and cutting edge
Act as a key industry ambassador for DLE's creative quality and output
Functional & Global Creative Leadership Provide functional leadership for the global creative team - including holding dual leadership accountability for site-based creative leaders worldwide
Establish and lead a high-functioning global creative organization and community, elevating creative standards and alignment across all DLE sites
Build and maintain credible, influential relationships with site presidents, site creative portfolio executives, WDI creative executives, and other senior enterprise leaders
Act as the partner of choice ensuring the best possible entertainment creative is planned and delivered at every site
Maintain a flexible, senior non-site-specific creative talent pool to meet site and enterprise-wide creative needs
Guide performance management, talent development, and cast enrichment for a global pool of creative resources
Partner with Regional VPs and site leadership on project casting strategy and creative resourcing decisions
Advanced Development (LEAD) Direct DLE's Advanced Development function (LEAD), empowering research and experimentation into emerging trends in performance and immersive/experiential entertainment
Commission and oversee Advanced Development projects
Partner with R&D, production, and technical teams to explore new business models and production approaches
Champion discovery of diverse creative talent and new creative techniques
Required Qualifications 10+ years of progressive creative leadership experience in theatre, themed entertainment, immersive/experiential design, or live entertainment production
Demonstrated success directing or overseeing large-scale live productions - such as theatrical shows, parades, spectaculars, themed attractions, or immersive experiences - from concept through delivery
Proven ability to lead and develop creative teams and talent across multiple sites or geographies
Strong background in creative casting, talent development, and performance management
Experience partnering with production design, technical direction, and show production disciplines
Excellent collaboration and influence skills, with a track record of building relationships across senior leadership, site, and enterprise stakeholders
Entrepreneurial, solution-focused, and action-oriented leadership style
Experience delivering creative solutions to meet business requirements
Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Theatre, Design, or a related field required
Preferred Qualifications Experience directing or contributing to an Advanced Development, R&D, or innovation function within a creative or entertainment organization
Familiarity with emerging technologies as they apply to live performance and immersive storytelling
Financial and business acumen, including experience managing bud

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