Nickelodeon has tapped the talents of former Disney exec Jill Sanford and named her as the kidsnet’s new VP of animation development.

In her new position reporting to Nickelodeon Group’s SVP of animation development Jenna Boyd, Sanford will be responsible for all areas of development from concept to pilot, including creative, production, legal and casting and staffing for pilots.

She will also help oversee the comedy shorts program and pair with Nick’s short form development team to look for and nurture future talent.

During her nine-year stint at The Walt Disney Company, Sanford was most recently the director of original series for Disney Television Animation serving as the lead current series executive for Disney’s hit series Phineas and Ferb and Fish Hooks.

Prior to moving to Disney Television Animation in 2008, she worked in development and current series for live-action and animated series for Disney Channel.

The move comes on the heels of Nickelodeon appointing Russell Hicks as president of content development and production.