Senior Manager of Scheduling & Estimating

Job Summary:

Job Requirements

Job Description

About the Role:

The Senior Manager of Scheduling and Estimating is a key leader within Disney Experiences - Facilities Asset Management (FAM), responsible for overseeing integrated project controls that support world‑class theme parks, resorts, and immersive vacation experiences. You will lead a specialized team of project controls professionals to develop and manage budgets, estimates, and schedules from early preconstruction through construction completion, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with Disney's creative, guest‑centric, and innovative standards.

This role will report to the Vice President of Facilities Asset Management.

Responsibilities:

In this management role, you will provide strategic leadership for preconstruction services, cost estimating, and scheduling across a diverse portfolio of capital projects that support Disney Experiences' global destinations and consumer offerings. You will guide multiple related teams, set departmental strategies, and partner closely with project management, design, construction, and operations leaders to ensure accurate forecasts, robust risk management, and disciplined adherence to Disney standards. Success in this role requires a knowledgeable specialist who is a strategic thinker, strong collaborator, and effective mentor, able to prioritize competing demands while maintaining a high level of analytical rigor and operational excellence.

• Guide the development of the CapEx program by leading all preconstruction services and manage planning, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management activities before construction projects begin across the portfolio.
• Provide strategic direction for conceptual, schematic, and final cost estimates and schedules, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with project objectives and portfolio priorities.
• Establish department strategies for value engineering, historical cost and schedule databases, and measurable key performance indicators to drive team and project effectiveness.
• Develop and implement preconstruction best practices, procedures, and processes that support disciplined project controls and continuous improvement.
• Guide resolution of complex project control issues, including scope challenges, budget constraints, and schedule impacts, by reviewing project controls data, identifying risks, and recommending mitigations.
• Lead collaboration with Project Management, Design, Sourcing, Construction Management, Walt Disney Imagineering, and vendor/contractor partners to ensure cross‑functional alignment and clear communication on scope, safety, quality, and schedule expectations.
• Ensure the team identifies, evaluates, and communicates design and scope changes, schedule slippages, and related impacts, and participates in the development of mitigation strategies.
• Monitor trends in cost and schedule in support of the change management process, recommending corrective actions to maintain budget and schedule integrity.
• Oversee project baseline processes for cost, schedule, and progress, ensuring all project systems and reporting align with Disney standards, procedures, and life‑cycle gate reviews.
• Establish and maintain risk management protocols, including identification, documentation, mitigation, and tracking of potential risks, and assess their cost and schedule impacts.
• Ensure the accuracy of reported progress based on established rules of credit and develop progress measurement processes for key scopes of work.
• Lead teams responsible for project schedule development, review, maintenance, and updates to ensure alignment with master schedules and overall portfolio objectives.
• Manage preparation and submission of all required project reporting in accordance with approved reporting schedules and stakeholder expectations.
• Serve as a thought partner in preconstruction, providing schedule analysis, estimating insight, and strategic guidance to project executives and institutional owners of real estate.
• Mentor and lead a large staff of scheduling and estimating professionals, ensuring appropriate staffing, conducting performance reviews, and addressing staffing and development needs.
• Model strategic thinking, effective planning and prioritization, cross‑functional collaboration, and continuous coaching and feedback to inspire individual and business success.

Required Qualifications:

• 12+ years of relevant experience with 8+ years in management roles leading scheduling, estimating, and project controls teams.
• Proficiency with project controls tools such as Primavera, estimating software, Enterprise Resource Planning systems, PMWeb, and standard office software (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Extensive experience in preconstruction services, including estimating and schedule development for complex construction projects, with specific emphasis on preconstruction and construction operations.
• Deep knowledge of construction management practices, including cost control, forecasting, budgeting, and schedule management for capital infrastructure projects.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret project controls data, construction documents, and schedules to identify issues and drive informed decisions.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and management skills, including mentoring, performance management, and leading larger teams of professional staff and first‑line leaders.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with internal teams, contractors, vendors, and senior leadership.
• Ability to multi‑task and prioritize in a high‑paced project environment while maintaining attention to detail and quality standards.
• Experience in construction estimating, schedule analysis, and project controls for preconstruction and implementation phases in commercial, themed entertainment, or high‑end hospitality projects.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Engineering, Business, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in theme parks, resorts, or entertainment environments, including experience in themed entertainment preconstruction and high‑end hotel construction.
• Construction Operations background and experience.
• Experience partnering with institutional owners of real estate and development groups on large, complex capital programs.
• Advanced education such as a master's degree in a related field or equivalent advanced training in construction management or project controls.
• Experience in construction estimating and scheduling within campus‑style or multi‑site environments supporting large portfolios of projects.

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Orlando, FL is $148,100 to $198,600 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.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney World Resort.

To learn more about Disney''s guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. 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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About The Walt Disney Company:

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.