Director, Creator Content and Partnerships

Overview

The Walt Disney Company is looking for a visionary and proactive Director to lead and expand its global Creator Studio. This role focuses on accelerating audience growth, enhancing fan engagement, and increasing direct-to-consumer value through creator-driven content initiatives worldwide. Reporting directly to the VP of Creator Partnerships, the successful candidate will champion the strategy, operations, and partnerships that underpin Disney's creator ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategy and operating model for Disney's global Creator Studio, ensuring long-term scalability.
• Lead and cultivate a talented team skilled in creator partnerships, production operations, creative strategy, and execution.
• Design effective workflows, governance structures, and resource plans to support growth at a global scale.
• Forge and grow relationships with creators, talent representatives, agencies, and strategic stakeholders to advance Disney's creator partnership objectives.
• Identify opportunities to launch creator-led franchises and content partnerships to expand audience reach.
• Manage complex negotiations, licensing deals, and commercial agreements involving creators and partners.
• Define programming and content strategies driven by creators that enhance audience acquisition, engagement, retention, and brand loyalty across Disney's streaming platforms.
• Translate cultural trends, audience insights, and platform analytics into scalable content approaches that maintain creator authenticity and align with Disney's brand values.
• Develop and refine incentive programs to maintain long-term creator involvement and foster an expanding ecosystem.
• Monitor key performance metrics such as audience growth, viewer engagement, watch time, and creator success to inform business impact.
• Collaborate with analytics teams to uncover opportunities, optimize investments, and guide strategic planning.
• Create forecasting models to align creator content supply with strategic business goals.
• Coordinate cross-departmentally with teams in Product, Marketing, Programming, Legal, Finance, Technology, and International divisions to ensure cohesive execution and alignment.
• Influence senior leadership with compelling insights, strategy recommendations, and business cases within a matrixed organizational environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Over 10 years of leadership experience in areas such as creator partnerships, digital media, social content, streaming, entertainment, or consumer technology.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Proven success scaling creator, digital media, or content organizations and programs with operational expertise.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the creator economy, social media platforms, audience engagement, and emerging digital trends.
• Demonstrated proficiency in establishing creator partnerships, negotiating commercial contracts, and managing talent relationships.
• Experience crafting audience growth strategies backed by data analytics, consumer insights, and experimentation.
• Ability to lead complex initiatives that span Product, Marketing, Content, Technology, Legal, and Finance teams.
• Strong business insight to translate data and market analysis into actionable strategies.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to drive alignment and influence decisions within a complex, matrixed organization without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in streaming, media, entertainment, gaming, or creator-focused industries.
• Experience in launching creator-led franchises, original intellectual property, or ecosystems on a large scale.
• Skilled in designing creator incentive structures, monetization strategies, or partnership frameworks.
• Track record managing global creator programs across multiple markets.
• Passion for digital culture, new platforms, and the evolution of creator-driven entertainment.

Compensation and Benefits

The estimated salary range for this role located in Burbank, CA is between $153,200 and $205,400 annually. Actual compensation may vary based on geographic location, candidate qualifications, and internal equity considerations. Additional remuneration may include bonuses and long-term incentives. The package also offers comprehensive medical, financial, and other benefits depending on position and level.