Communications Manager

About the role

The Communications team supports multiple lines of business across The Walt Disney Company, including Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Disney Entertainment & ESPN Product and Technology (DEEPT) and Games. The team is seeking a Communications Manager to help drive brand and corporate communications for Disney+, Hulu and the streaming bundle, with opportunities to support the other businesses.

What You Will Do

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across DTC and DEEPT, internal communications, marketing, publicity and other groups for broader storytelling about brand campaigns, content and company efforts.
• Develop and maintain a deep network of press relationships across corporate, business, trade, consumer and entertainment press outlets.
• Drive a robust external communications strategy for the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming brands in partnership with publicity, marketing and digital/social teams.
• Contribute to key projects, including PR plans, messaging documents, and other written materials.
• Support ongoing implementation of executive communications efforts, including award submissions, speaking opportunities and speechwriting.
• Aid in brand reputation and crisis response efforts, including press monitoring and issue tracking during key moments, as well as identifying industry trends and analyses.
• Provide coordination and on-the-ground support for internal and industry events when necessary.
• Partner on tracking, analyzing, and synthesizing industry reports into clear and concise insights for key internal stakeholders, such as quarterly earnings recaps.
• Work with internal communications partners on outreach and logistics, including employee messaging, forums and team meetings.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in public relations, publicity, or external communications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to manage deadline-driven writing and editing projects with minimal oversight.
• Extensive experience writing and editing press releases, fact sheets, biographies, executive talking points and more with a sharp attention to detail and AP style guidelines.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong time management and project prioritization abilities.
• Deep knowledge of the earned media landscape, strong media/press relations experience and existing relationships, and a high comfort level working with media.
• Present and communicate communication strategies optimally in meetings.
• Ability to drive innovative ways to deliver communications goals in more creative, efficient and effective ways by challenging current processes and recommending innovative approaches.
• A combination of strategic and creative problem solver.
• Discreet and professional when handling sensitive or confidential information, and naturally curious and eager to learn about all aspects of the business and industry landscape.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications.
• Familiarity with Boolean search and media monitoring platforms, such as Muck Rack.

Preferred Qualifications

• An understanding that news never stops and a willingness to adjust as needed, maintaining adaptability and sound judgment when priorities shift unexpectedly.
• Experience in the entertainment industry is ideal but not required.
• Familiarity and knowledge of Disney’s streaming brands and the company’s streaming, television, theatrical and third-party licensed content.
• An overall appreciation for the Disney brand is a plus!

Additional Information

This role requires employees to be on-site four days a week in Burbank and may include working early mornings, nights and weekends as needed. The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $115,500 - $154,800 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.