Design Manager, Multi-category (Toys and Hardlines)

We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Here you can be your authentic self. As a company uniquely positioned to educate, entertain and empower through our platforms, Comcast NBCUniversal stands for including everyone. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, coupled with our Corporate Social Responsibility work, is informed by our employees, audiences, park guests and the communities in which we live. We strive to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where our employees feel supported, embraced and heard. Together, we’ll continue to create and deliver content that reflects the current and ever-changing face of the world.

Universal Products & Experiences Overview:

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and 3rd party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s three lines of business include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, as well as Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

Universal Products & Experiences is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague.

It is the policy of NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal's affiliated businesses to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Summary:

Universal Product and Development is seeking a Design Manager (Multi-Category) with experience in product design and licensing for the Toys and Hardlines team. The role will be based in the US office and is responsible for product approvals, product development, and product strategies for Games, Puzzles, Activities, Novelty, Outdoor, Sports, Costumes, Pets, Consumer Electronics, and Publishing categories. The UP&E team is looking for a candidate who is proactive, a forward thinker, and has strong communication skills. The role requires a manager who has experience building strong relationships with internal cross-functional teams and external partners.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Salary range: $90,000-$115,000 (bonus eligible)

Responsibilities:

• 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
  • 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 them with the 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, 2D design
  • Understand licensee design & manufacturing capabilities to guide effective design and development
  • Design product solutions across the entire Franchise and property roadmap for both 2D and 3D
  • 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 the Multi-Category retail landscape
• Design Strategy:
  • 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 counterparts
  • 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

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience within the licensing and manufacturing industry
• Requires strong communication skills
• Entertainment industry experience with license-based consumer product approvals
• Knowledge of product manufacturing and process
• Ability to design from concept through final samples/production
• Polished ability to verbally deliver presentations with full command of the material, full command of the stage, and ability to steer the 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, PowerPoint, 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:

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Graphic 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,
or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal
requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring
Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the
right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your
ability to use or access nbcunicareers.com as a result of your disability. You can
request reasonable accommodations by emailing [email protected].