Director, Design & Development
NBCUniversal · Universal City, California, United States · hybrid
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.
Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.
Universal Products & Experiences Overview:
At Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E), we don’t just create products—we create a universe that fans can hold in their hands, wear, play, read, and experience every day. From Jurassic World’s roaring adventures to the playful charm of Minions and the timeless wonder of Back to the Future, we transform stories into unforgettable moments that spark joy across the globe.
UP&E has grown rapidly while keeping the energy, agility, and inventive spirit of a start‑up. Our mission is bold: to take imagination beyond the screen and into the real world through innovative products, immersive retail moments, and extraordinary theme park destinations. We bring both Universal-owned and third‑party worlds to life across expansive theme park destinations, e‑commerce platforms, live entertainment venues, and global retail partnerships—fueling fandom everywhere it lives. Whether it's iconic toys, fashion collaborations, books, collectibles, lifestyle products, or cutting‑edge video games, we work with world‑class licensees and creators to make our universe tangible.
Here, creativity meets technology, and strategy meets storytelling. We connect design, commercial excellence, and fan passion to deliver experiences that millions cherish—inside the parks and far beyond them. As part of Universal Destinations & Experiences, you’ll join a global team that thrives on collaboration, imagination, and the power of culture‑shaping ideas. Your work will inspire fans, uplift communities, and leave a lasting mark on entertainment history.
We believe in a workplace where every voice matters, every perspective is valued, and every colleague can shine. That’s how we strive to be an employer of choice for talent and a partner of choice for retailers, licensees, and creators who share our passion for world‑class storytelling. If you’re ready to bring imagination to life and create moments that resonate worldwide—your next adventure starts here.
Join us and help create moments that matter.
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.
The Director, Design & Development, is responsible for leading a diverse fashion creative team and driving a creative vision rooted in the contemporary consumer, while supporting and owning category growth objectives. This role provides creative and strategic leadership across a broad portfolio, overseeing all Fashion & Living responsibilities spanning Universal Studios, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, TV and E-commerce businesses for licensing and Parks. In addition, the role fosters a professional and inspiring creative environment that encourages smart, innovative design solutions at every level.
Responsibilities
Creative Leadership & Vision
- Lead and oversee the creative vision across multiple categories, ensuring brand consistency, innovation, and elevated design execution.
- Develop innovative concepts, visual storytelling, and brand-right creative solutions that resonate with target consumers and strengthen brand equity.
- Act as the creative bridge between licensors, licensees, retail partners, and internal teams to maximize brand value through design.
- Ensure alignment between creative vision, brand strategy, and commercial objectives across all product categories.
- Influence cross-functional stakeholders across Category Management, Retail Development, Licensing, and Parks to align creative strategies with business priorities.
- Maintain exceptional standards of design quality, craftsmanship, and execution across all creative outputs.
- Drive informed creative solutions by leveraging global and local market trends, consumer insights, and emerging cultural influences.
Product Development & Design Execution
- Partner with Retail Buying teams, licensees, and Category Leadership to develop strategically aligned and commercially viable product assortments.
- Lead and manage all creative aspects of fashion and product design, ensuring trend-forward development and timely execution.
- Actively participate in concept development, sketching, illustration, and visual asset creation.
- Interpret and evolve style guides while creating original graphic assets, design applications, and innovative expressions of IP.
- Translate trends in materials, silhouettes, fashion aesthetics, and consumer behavior into compelling licensed products.
- Create impactful presentations and creative assets for regional and internal stakeholders, licensors, licensees, and retail partners.
- Demonstrate strong expertise in composition, typography, color theory, and fashion design principles including manufacturing and printing processes, assortment planning, graphic and pattern development, branding and trim development
Licensing & Brand Stewardship
- Manage end-to-end licensor approvals, ensuring all products meet brand standards, contractual obligations, and creative expectations.
- Interpret and elevate licensor feedback, refining product design while maintaining authenticity and brand integrity.
- Partner closely with intellectual property holders to create differentiated and market-leading product experiences.
- Balance creative excellence with commercial viability to deliver elevated products that perform in the marketplace.
Business Ownership & Financial Management
- Partner with Category and Retail Leadership to drive quarterly and annual business performance and sales results.
- Own and communicate creative budget management aligned with key business priorities and initiatives.
- Track and manage budgets related to product development assets, creative resources, and design execution.
- Align creative investments with strategic business goals and growth opportunities.
Team Leadership, Performance & Talent Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Fashion Design team, fostering innovation, accountability, and creative excellence.
- Drive annual performance management by establishing clear team and individual goals and maintaining a consistent cadence of quarterly 1:1 development conversation.
- Create and support meaningful career pathways and succession plans.
- Lead creative reviews and critiques with professionalism, actionable feedback, and high standards.
- Set the tone through strong ownership, collaboration, att