LOS ANGELES — Zenia Mucha, The Walt Disney Company’s formidable communications head, will be departing the storied company after nearly 20 years.

Mucha, who is Disney’s CCO and corporate communications leader, will exit the company at the end of the year, Variety reported. She is one of several senior leaders leaving Disney in conjunction with the departure of Executive Chairman Bob Iger.

Disney has started a search for Mucha’s successor, according to the New York Times, which also said there are no “obvious” internal candidates.

Mucha is known for her contentious style in managing the Disney brand, as well as the power she holds beyond leading communications.

A PRovoke Media Influence 100, her profile reads:  “Google Zenia Mucha and one of the results introduces her as ‘the Karl Rove of the Magic Kingdom,’ a reference to the influence she wields within the company and the message discipline with which she holds the company line with reporters and others.”

Mucha has overall responsibility for communications policies and strategic positioning at The Walt Disney Company and its diverse global businesses, including media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products. She serves as the chief spokesperson for company and oversees media relations and communications strategy for the company, its various business segments and its philanthropic and environmental initiatives. Her role also includes oversight of internal communications, the Walt Disney Archives and D23, the first official Disney fan club.

Mucha has led the communications and positioning strategy for all of Disney’s business initiatives including 2019’s $71 billion acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets, as well as earlier acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm; its leveraging of digital technology to connect consumers to creative content; and international expansion and growth such as the opening of Disney’s first theme park and resort in China.

She joined The Walt Disney Company in 2001, having previously served as senior vice president, communications, for the ABC Broadcast Group and the ABC Television and earlier as director of communications and senior policy advisor to Governor George Pataki of New York.