Design Manager

• Business Segment: Universal Products & Experiences

Universal Product & Experiences is seeking a Design Manager for our ANZ/SEA regions with experience in product design and licensing for the Toys and Hardlines team. The role will be based in the Australia office and is responsible for product approvals, product development and product strategies for Toys and Hardlines. Universal Product & Experiences team is looking for a candidate that is pro-active, a forward thinker and has strong communication skills. The role requires a manager that has experience building strong relationships with internal cross-functional teams and external partners.

• Licensing Expertise:
  • Possesses a solid understanding of the entertainment industry and Consumer Products business
  • Manage and ensure brand excellence by making any necessary character revisions, infusing storytelling and providing property assets and toolkits
  • Manage process flow and prioritize schedules based on 18-24 month product development calendar
  • Manage product approval meetings
  • Manage approval functionalities on product approval system (Mediabox)
  • Lead kick off meetings/calls with licensees
  • Prepare detailed recap notes from key meetings and share with Global team
  • Provides input to Category/business counterparts on licensor selection to ensure excellent product execution and delivery
• Design Expertise and Innovation :
  • Be the Design expert in assigned categories – execution, fabrications/materials, tech designs
  • Understand licensee design & manufacturing capabilities to guide effective design and development
  • Design product solutions across entire Franchise and property roadmap
  • Prepare all necessary components for design presentations & product review meeting preparations
  • Provide accurate design input and modifications(overlays) based on strong understanding of IP priorities, guidelines & assets through all stages of the product approval process
  • Drive innovation by maintaining strong knowledge of retail landscape in ANZ/SEA market; monitor sales performance of key categories & programs
• Engages in wider UP&E discussions on the company’s vision and strategy
• Partners with Category to identify white space opportunities for growth
• Understands regional retail pricing structure for product and line architecture
• Identifies new trends and innovation across multiple categories and properties
• Create and build new ideas into marketable product lines for existing properties and new initiatives
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Understands and communicates strategically to team and partners
  • Excellent ability to communicate and collaborate with partners
  • Required to communicate weekly with US Design leads
  • Develops effective presentations
  • Coordinates with cross-functional partners on new projects and design development progress
  • Build successful working relationships with key partners including (but not limited to):
    • Licensees & manufacturers
    • Category, Retail, and Franchise
    • Studios & filmmakers

• Minimum 5-7 years experience within the licensing and manufacturing industry
• Entertainment industry experience with license-based consumer product approvals
• Knowledge of product manufacturing and process
• Experience with 2D package and product preferred added to the requirements.
• Ability to design from concept through final samples/production
• Polished ability to verbally deliver presentations with full command of material, full command of the stage, and ability to steer discussion toward actionable conclusions
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; comfortable with change; able to troubleshoot problems and act decisively
• Able to advocate for Design recommendations with partners
• Ability to prioritize work for self and associates
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and organization skills
• Fully proficient with Photoshop & Illustrator. Ability to use InDesign, Keynote, Power Point, Word and Excel
• Must be able to articulate clearly, and drive toward shared solutions with various internal partners and external licensee teams
• Knowledge and understanding of product category dynamics and strategies

Education Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Industrial Design, Toy Design, Illustration or comparable field of study

NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.