Program Manager, Global Attraction Programs

Job Description & Requirements

JOB SUMMARY:

The Global Attraction Programs (GAP) team is focused on delivering innovative, guest-centric experiences across Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDX) through strategic program management and cross-functional coordination. The Program Manager, GAP plays a critical role in overseeing attraction-related initiatives that span a wide range of technologies and systems.

This role requires a strong understanding of attraction systems—including control systems, ride vehicles, show action equipment, and media technologies—as well as emerging platforms such as guest interface systems, gaming systems, facial recognition, machine vision, and AI applications. The Program Manager will collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, including engineering, maintenance, creative, Parks Technology, and external partners, to ensure alignment, accurate data management, and successful program execution.

Key responsibilities include managing program timelines and budgets, coordinating training and communications, resolving issues, and driving the finalization of project requirements to support seamless rollout across the global parks portfolio.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management

• Lead the development and execution of long-term (5–10 year) lifecycle strategies for key attraction systems including: Controls (GAP/LRP), Ride Control System (RCS), Show Control System (SCS), Vehicle Control System (VCS), Flame Control System (FCS), Human Machine Interface (HMI), Ride Show Network (RSN), Control Consoles (OCC, MCC, TCC) Ride Vehicles (RV), Show Action Equipment (SAE), Special Effects, Animation, Audio/Video, Lighting & Projection, Flame/Pyro/Cryo Systems, Show Action Doors Emerging Technologies: Guest Interface Systems, Gaming Systems, Facial Recognition, Machine Vision, AI Applications
• Partner with internal teams and third-party vendors to conduct Ride System Assessments, including evaluations, obsolescence studies, and prioritized recommendations.
• Manages project implementation schedule to include all deliverables, budget constraints, and tracking project deadlines.
• Fully engage subject matter experts, stakeholders, and external resources to develop a strong understanding of scope, roadmaps and timelines.
• Strong ability to negotiate conflicting input and/or feedback amongst stakeholders to reach mutually agreed upon outcomes.
• Develop a strong understanding of the workflow process.
• Pull key stakeholders in at the right time for awareness and approvals as needed to keep leaders and partners aligned.
• Manage sustainment projects on-quality (tactical), on-time and on-budget.

Project Management (small or large)

• Lead or participate in project kickoff, presenting key deliverables, initial spec sheets, timeline, and budgets.
• Track and manage current year capital projects related to technical systems, ensuring alignment with budget estimates, cash flow forecasts, and milestone commitments.
• Conduct weekly reviews with project managers to assess risks, favorability, and progress toward quarterly targets.
• Coordinate with Finance and leadership to communicate budget changes and secure approvals.
• Accountable for staying within agreed upon budget and informing all parties of any changes to scope, assumptions and issues that arise.
• Monitors project budgets and schedules daily.
• Manages and updates project work-back schedules and all project change orders.
• Identifies and proactively resolves any deliverables that might fall behind schedule or outside of the regulatory expectations.
• Manages tactical quality of all client partner deliverables.
• Ensures smooth handoff of deliverables from vendors.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Drive enhanced communication and decision making through project plans to build awareness while maintaining the scope of the project.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, IT, Creative, Ride & Show, and Operations teams to align project strategy and execution.
• Prepare and present program status reports and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Ensure all project opportunities are documented with scope, visuals, and technical details.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Construction Management, or Engineering Management is preferred
• Or equivalent education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5-7 Years: Experience working in theme park and resort projects
• Also experience dealing with large scale construction projects along or with experience in working carious positions with a general contractor dealing with estimating, budgeting, bidding, field experience dealing with all aspects of projects required
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate at all levels within an organization, combined with the ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical team members at all levels.
• Positive attitude, flexibility to accommodate international hours, professional demeanor.
• Overseeing project dollars to manage and communicate ongoing budget items.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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