Communications Manager

Communications Manager

As a vital member of the Strategic Communications team, the Communications Manager plays an essential role in supporting both proactive and reactive communications efforts for Disney Entertainment Television (DET). This role helps manage day-to-day press engagement with journalists, contributes to crisis communications planning and response, and supports the development of messaging that protects and promotes DET's business, talent and brands.

This individual will report to the Vice President, Corporate Communications, and collaborate closely with partners across Communications, Publicity, Marketing, Legal, Labor Relations and other DET teams. First and foremost, the Communications Manager is a strong and experienced writer capable of quickly crafting a compelling narrative from assorted information from a variety of sources. This individual is an organized project manager, proactive and comfortable navigating fast-moving news cycles.

As a thought partner in the crisis communications realm, this individual will support plans to address and resolve potential issues and must have a keen ability to react to unexpected developments in real time.

The role requires professionalism, sound judgment and pre-existing relationships with entertainment journalists. The ability to build and maintain new, additional working relationships with reporters and industry partners is a must.

Responsibilities:

• Draft and refine messaging strategies that promote our titles, executives and brand initiatives.
• Coordinate responses to press inquiries and maintain regular communication with key entertainment reporters and media outlets.
• Support the development and execution of crisis communications strategies to stay ahead of critical issues involving talent, content and personnel.
• Assist in identifying external communications opportunities for executives and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Manage logistics and support for executive speaking opportunities, interviews, and media engagements, providing counsel on issues-oriented messaging as needed.
• Collect research and write reports, summaries, executive remarks, talking points and press releases, as needed.
• Partner with other teams spanning The Walt Disney Company and Disney Entertainment Television to nurture a cohesive, collaborative group.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years' experience spanning:
  • Writing and editing; successful candidate must be an excellent writer, editor and communicator of ideas and strategies.
  • Crisis communications strategies, ideally at a streaming platform, television network or studio.
• Ability to function as a highly effective member of Disney Entertainment Television's Strategic Communications team and work collaboratively with internal stakeholders.
• You must be proactive, decisive, and able to support multiple projects at the same time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience contributing to communications/messaging campaigns across a variety of trade and consumer media, including supporting media interviews or press opportunities.
• Established relationships with entertainment journalists.
• Content publicity experience.
• Familiarity with industry trends and related business news.
• A love of television and familiarity with current shows and talent across the entertainment landscape.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in communications, journalism and/or public relations.

The hiring range for this position in California is $115,500.00 to $154,800.00 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.

About Disney Entertainment Television:

Disney Entertainment Television is a collection of renowned content brands at The Walt Disney Company creating original entertainment and news programming for the company's streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu and Star, and its broadcast and cable networks. Its extensive portfolio is comprised of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective, in addition to Disney Television Studios, which include 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, ABC Signature and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Responsible for over 4,500 hours of programming a year across more than 300 programs of all genres, Disney Entertainment Television's creative brands are at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, captivating audiences and generating critical acclaim. In 2023, Disney Entertainment Television's programming excellence earned 163 Emmy® nominations across daytime, primetime, news & documentary, and children's & family categories.

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.