Job Description

Operating Participants Development Manager

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 772767BR Location Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States; Orlando, Florida, United States Business Walt Disney World Resort Date posted 01/29/2021

The Operating Participants Business Development organization develops and implements leasing strategies related to the procurement of unique and relevant third party Operating Participant relationships within Disney theme parks, resorts, and Retail, Dining and Entertainment (RD&E) environments for the US Parks & Resorts locations. The Operating Participants Business Development team closely collaborates with teams within the broader Corporate Alliances organization, including the Account Management team for a seamless transition to on-going, relationship management and the Strategy team as they develop the tenanting positioning for on-property developments.

Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

* Manages Business Development projects to deliver against strategic goals and initiatives set by the Regional Director of Business Development.
* Develop partnerships with Finance, Operations, Merchandise and Food & Beverage, and Legal to facilitate proposal development and work closely with these stakeholders throughout the leasing process.
* Identify, recommend and implement improvement initiatives to increase the effectiveness of Operating Participants tenanting strategy, lease development and negotiations.
* Work with Account Management team to ensure seemless transition from business development completion to handover and tenant opening.

Industry Trends and Operating Participant Portfolio

* Monitor industry activity for shopping, dining and entertainment development, restaurant, and retail trends and develop perspective on their applicability to Disney and its properties.
* Continually seek out and develop relationships with restaurant, retail and entertainment concepts that could be potential Operating Participants for any of our global properties.
* Develop and maintain a relationship with the Real Estate Business Development contact at the Operating Participant company/organization.

Development of Positioning Strategy and Tenant Targets

* For new projects, assist with the development of the project positioning, tenant category needs, and target tenant list.
* For existing developments, work in conjunction with the OP Account Management and the Operations team to understand performance of current tenants and categories and any consumer insights that can be drawn to formulate tenanting strategy for available locations.
* Perform due diligence to determine which Operating Participants/Tenant prospects meet our operational, financial, and reputational criteria and filter, as necessary. Develop targeted tenant list.

Lease Negotiations

* Negotiate deal terms for the specific projects based on financial targets, including rent rates and any capital and tenant allowance budget needed to accomplish tenanting strategy
* Facilitate meetings with key stakeholders and leadership to gain buy off on deal terms, as appropriate, to meet Disney objectives and timelines.
* Work in conjunction with the Legal team to develop and negotiate Letters of Intent and Lease Agreements or Operating Participant Agreements
* Develop deal timelines to achieve target opening dates for the development and as set by the Regional Director of Business Development.
* Simultaneously manage multiple projects, target tenants, and tenant negotiations in an effective and seamless manner

Basic Qualifications

* 7+ years of work experience with a commercial retail developer (e.g., Simon, Taubman, Westfield).
* 3+ years experience in contract negotiations or equivalent contract analysis experience with significant retail or restaurant projects in the commercial real estate industry. Must be able to:
* Analyze deal terms to create a financial model of the agreement and understand practical implications of executing each of the terms
* Using this financial model along with implementation details from the Business Units, analyze each proposed scenario to understand both the economic value being traded and the practical implications throughout the negotiation process
* Develop formal negotiation plan with talking points for each negotiation session
* Collaborate with legal resources and DPEP stakeholders throughout the negotiation process
* Develop and utilize forecasting models and understand basic financial statements
* Ability to evaluate complex project plans and status reports and identify project risks
* Strong understanding of retail and restaurant trends
* Advanced communication, facilitation and conflict-management skills
* Willingness to travel domestically and internationally 10-15% of the time (as conditions permit)

Preferred Qualifications

* Broad and in-depth knowledge of DPEP business lines

Required Education

* Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Economics or Marketing, or other related field or equivalent work experience

Preferred Education

* MBA preferred

About Walt Disney World Resort:

Since opening in 1971, Walt Disney World Resort has played an important role in many childhood and family memories. Today, hundreds of millions of guests from around the globe visit this magical place to enjoy a Disney vacation. Through a combination of creativity, innovation and technology, the resort immerses guests in classic Disney tales and new kinds of family entertainment. Drawing from a rich heritage of storytelling, Walt Disney World Resort cast members bring Disney magic to life through unmatched attention to detail and superior guest service.

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 with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. 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. Disneys 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.

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

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 fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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