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Director, Subscriber Acquisition (Hulu)

The Walt Disney Company
Full-time
On-site
Santa Monica, California, United States
🌐 Digital Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Director, Subscriber Acquisition (Hulu)

πŸ”Ή Company: The Walt Disney Company

πŸ”Ή Location: Santa Monica, CA, USA

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full Time, Hybrid (4 days on-site)

πŸ”Ή Category: Marketing

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: July 11, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 10+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site (with planned office move to Burbank, CA in 2026)

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Leading Hulu’s performance marketing team to drive efficient subscriber acquisition and engagement
  • Setting short- and long-term strategy for all paid media activities to create demand and adoption of Hulu’s subscription services
  • Optimizing media mix and channel optimization efforts to drive efficient acquisition at scale
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create a seamless and effective full funnel customer journey
  • Managing and coaching the entire subscriber acquisition marketing team

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong operational background, capable of balancing both high-level strategy and tactical execution. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of performance marketing channels and a passion for driving growth through data-driven insights.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Serve as the strategic leader and voice of all Performance Media initiatives within the company.

βœ… Set the short- and long-term strategy for all Paid Media activities designed to create demand and adoption of Hulu’s subscription services.

βœ… Own Hulu’s performance media mix and channel optimization efforts to drive efficient acquisition at scale.

βœ… Remain accountable for ensuring all media budgets are strategically aligned and optimized toward business goals including driving paid adds, engaged subscribers, delivering media efficiency and ROAS.

βœ… Partner with Finance and Marketing Analytics teams to build, monitor and refine annual and monthly subscriber forecasts.

βœ… Manage and track media budgets, forecasts and reporting, partnering with Marketing Finance on pacing, efficiency updates and actualizations.

βœ… Own Hulu's media experimentation strategy and iterative roadmap focused on driving incremental subscribers to the service.

βœ… Partner with Product and Product Marketing to create and track a seamless and effective full funnel customer journey.

βœ… Collaborate with Brand and Originals teams to develop integrated plans with optimal media mix between upper & lower funnel tactics.

βœ… Serve as the leader, manager and coach for the entire Subscriber Acquisition marketing team.

βœ… Lead and manage mix of in-house and agency teams, ensuring alignment with Hulu and the broader Disney Streaming goals.

βœ… Manage the in-house Ad Operations and Marketing Technology teams, overseeing programmatic/digital ad operations, audience distribution, pixel and tag management, CAPI implementation, and new technology vetting and implementation.

βœ… Act as the marketing team’s expert in product, marketing technology, privacy regulations and impact to data availability.

βœ… Collaborate with Growth leaders across Disney LOBs to share best practices, engage new media partners, or partner on joint test & learn plans.

βœ… Own creation of materials across all leadership needs inclusive of budget scenarios and business unit education.

βœ… Act as a true subject matter expert, educating stakeholders across the organization with key recommendations, campaign results, new projects and best practices.

βœ… Partner with Marketing Analytics to build out Hulu’s marketing attribution capabilities, including refining and enhancing Hulu’s media mix models.

βœ… Partner with Analytics & Data to build dashboards and regular reporting.

βœ… Oversee and approve creative strategy and asset rotation aligning with Hulu’s title priorities and strongest acquisition drivers.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving environment, with a strong ability to adapt and pivot as needed.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 10+ years of experience in performance marketing, ideally in Subscription & DTC businesses

Required Skills:

  • Expertise across all performance and biddable channels, including: Affiliates, Digital, Programmatic, Paid Social, Paid Search and Devices/CTV
  • Experience working closely with ad operations teams to distribute audiences, implement pixels and review reporting/measurement across paid and owned campaigns
  • Proven track record of driving strong and consistent growth with clear understanding of acquisition KPIs
  • Hands-on experience managing third-party media and creative agencies, and technology partners
  • Familiarity with marketing platforms and tech stacks such as Tealium, Google full suite, AppsFlyer, Adobe Analytics, LiveRamp
  • Ability to quickly consume large amounts of data and draw insights that drive the business forward
  • Experience managing teams of all levels (incl. people managers and ICs)
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to distill complex data and insights in a digestible format
  • Passion for entertainment and innovation in the media space
  • Deep interest in media experimentation and measurement
  • Experience working with data visualization tools (i.e. Tableau, Looker)
  • Knowledge of creative best practices across all channels

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working with Disney or a similar large entertainment company
  • Fluency in Spanish or another language relevant to Hulu’s diverse audience

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in performance marketing, with a proven track record of driving growth and optimizing media spend. They will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $151,000 to $202,500 per year (based on location and experience)

Benefits:

  • Bonus
  • Long-term Incentive Units
  • Medical
  • Financial
  • Other Benefits

Working Hours: Full-time, with a planned office move to Burbank, CA in 2026

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the job posting and industry standards for similar roles. The actual salary offered may vary depending on the candidate’s experience, skills, and other factors.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Entertainment Providers

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1992

Company Description:

  • The Walt Disney Company is a multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate, headquartered in Burbank, California
  • Hulu is a streaming service that offers live and on-demand TV and movies, with and without commercials, both in and outside the home
  • The company is known for its iconic brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic

Company Specialties:

  • Marketing
  • Communication
  • Engineering
  • Human Resources
  • Sales
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Real Estate Development
  • Information Technology
  • Event Planning
  • Supply Chain
  • Logistics
  • Purchasing
  • Revenue Management
  • Research
  • Strategy
  • Audit
  • Construction
  • Pricing
  • Hospitality

Company Website: careers.disneylandparis.com

ASSUMPTION: The Walt Disney Company is a large, well-established organization with a strong brand and a diverse range of businesses. Applicants can expect a structured, hierarchical work environment with clear career paths and opportunities for growth.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Management

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Marketing at Hulu

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (4 days on-site, currently in Santa Monica, CA, with a planned office move to Burbank, CA in 2026)

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential to grow into a VP or SVP role within the Marketing organization
  • Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with senior leadership
  • Chance to gain experience in a fast-growing, dynamic streaming service

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on Hulu’s subscriber acquisition strategy and work closely with senior leadership.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office with a casual, creative atmosphere

Office Location(s): Santa Monica, CA (with a planned move to Burbank, CA in 2026)

Geographic Context:

  • Santa Monica is a coastal city in Los Angeles County, known for its beaches, mountain views, and vibrant arts and culture scene
  • The cost of living in Santa Monica is high, with median home prices exceeding $2 million
  • The city has a diverse population, with a mix of young professionals, families, and retirees

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a planned office move to Burbank, CA in 2026

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be able to thrive in a hybrid work setting. The cost of living in Santa Monica is high, so applicants should be prepared for a higher cost of living compared to other areas in the United States.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Phone or video screen with a member of the Hulu Marketing team
  • On-site or virtual interview with the Hiring Manager and other members of the Marketing leadership team
  • Final interview with the Senior Vice President, Marketing at Hulu

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Data analysis and interpretation skills
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Leadership and team management skills
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Hulu’s values

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Be prepared to discuss your approach to performance marketing and media strategy
  • Showcase your ability to analyze data and draw insights to drive business decisions
  • Demonstrate your leadership and team management skills through examples from your past experiences
  • Follow up with the Hiring Manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications

ATS Keywords: Performance Marketing, Paid Media, Subscriber Acquisition, Media Strategy, Data Analysis, Team Leadership, Marketing Technology, Hulu, The Walt Disney Company

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be comprehensive, with a focus on assessing the candidate’s strategic thinking, data analysis, and leadership skills. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their approach to performance marketing and media strategy in detail.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Marketing platforms and tech stacks such as Tealium, Google full suite, AppsFlyer, Adobe Analytics, LiveRamp
  • Data visualization tools (i.e. Tableau, Looker)
  • Project management tools (i.e. Asana, JIRA)
  • Collaboration tools (i.e. Google Workspace, Microsoft 365)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working with a variety of marketing platforms, data visualization tools, and collaboration tools. Familiarity with Hulu’s specific tech stack is a plus but not required.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Innovation
  • Quality
  • Storytelling
  • Optimism
  • Integrity
  • Inclusion
  • Respect
  • Courage

Work Style:

  • Collaborative and cross-functional
  • Fast-paced and dynamic
  • Data-driven and analytical
  • Creative and innovative
  • Results-oriented and accountable

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • How do you approach strategic planning and execution in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
  • Can you provide an example of a time when you analyzed data to drive business decisions and improve performance?
  • How do you balance the need for data-driven insights with the need for creative, innovative solutions?
  • How do you approach working with cross-functional teams and managing teams of varying levels?
  • How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in performance marketing?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be able to thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional work setting. The ideal candidate will be data-driven, creative, and results-oriented, with a strong ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical execution.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing a large team of in-house and agency personnel, with varying levels of experience and expertise
  • Balancing short-term performance goals with long-term strategic objectives
  • Working with a complex, evolving tech stack and marketing ecosystem
  • Adapting to changes in the media landscape and consumer behavior
  • Managing a significant budget and ensuring optimal allocation of resources

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a complex, dynamic environment and be able to balance short-term performance goals with long-term strategic objectives. They will have strong project management and budget management skills, as well as the ability to adapt and pivot as needed.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role is unique in its focus on subscriber acquisition for a streaming service, with a broad scope of responsibilities across performance marketing, media strategy, and team leadership
  • Compared to other marketing roles within The Walt Disney Company, this role offers a high level of strategic influence and the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership
  • Career progression in this role could lead to opportunities in other senior marketing roles within the organization, or potentially into general management or other functional areas

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive subscriber acquisition strategy for a high-profile streaming service, with significant growth potential and the chance to work closely with senior leadership. Applicants should be comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment and be able to thrive in a role with a broad scope of responsibilities.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and executing a comprehensive media strategy to drive subscriber acquisition for a new Hulu original series launch
  • Analyzing and optimizing the performance of Hulu’s paid media channels to improve ROAS and drive efficient acquisition
  • Managing a team of in-house and agency personnel to execute a large-scale, cross-channel marketing campaign for a major event or promotion
  • Collaborating with product and product marketing teams to create and optimize the full funnel customer journey for Hulu’s subscription services

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to drive results and improve performance in a dynamic, evolving environment.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Subscriber Acquisition marketing team?
  • How does this role collaborate with other functional teams within Hulu and The Walt Disney Company?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
  • How does Hulu approach media experimentation and testing to drive subscriber acquisition?
  • What are the key challenges facing the Subscriber Acquisition team in the current media landscape, and how is the company addressing them?
  • How does Hulu support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in senior leadership roles?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should use the interview process to gain a deeper understanding of the team dynamics, collaboration opportunities, and growth potential within the role. They should also be prepared to discuss their approach to performance marketing, media strategy, and team leadership in detail.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on performance marketing, media strategy, and team leadership
  • Prepare for your interview by researching Hulu’s business model, target audience, and competitive landscape
  • Be ready to discuss your approach to performance marketing, media strategy, and team leadership in detail, with specific examples from your past experiences
  • Follow up with the Hiring Manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.