SENIOR MANAGER - PRODUCT DESIGN

Disney Live Entertainment; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Disney Consumer Products, Inc. is seeking a senior product leader to drive licensed product lines across categories. You will manage an internal design team and multiple external vendors, ensuring top-quality, consumer-focused products that align with brand strategy.

You will guide storytelling, 2D/3D design, and packaging approvals while mentoring talent and driving profitable growth across Disney’s franchises.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as industrial design, toy design, graphic design, fashion design, or interior design.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the operation of licensed product lines across categories with internal teams and external vendors.
• Oversee design, storytelling, color, materials, form, and function to ensure high-quality, consumer-focused products.
• Coordinate with internal partners and external licensees to approve products and packaging.
• Coach and develop design talent through feedback and formal development.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to drive trends and create growth opportunities for the franchise.
• Manage budgets and prioritize multiple design projects across categories.

Skills

Verbal & written comms

Negotiation skills

Product design skills

Design software

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design

Tools

MS Office

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

Job Requirements

Lead and manage the successful operation of licensed products in one area or more and multiple categories with an assigned internal product design team and across multiple external vendors by monitoring and maintaining quality of assigned product categories through story, color, materials, form, and function of products. Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure the highest quality, consumer focused, trend-right product lines across all channels of distribution (licensing and flex business models that build brand equity and meet financial targets

Responsibilities

• Manage an internal team tooverseeConcept, design, strike offs, prototype, and production stages(including managing storytelling, 2D graphics,3D modeling (home and accessories) and deliver trend-right consumer centric product lines that feature market-leading innovation and great price/value for each tier of the value pyramid
• Manage and execute product and licensed packaging approvals through online systems and collaborative approval meetings, ensuring high quality standards in character execution, in-depth storytelling, color, material, form, and function while maximizing profitability
• Manage multiple external vendors to develop product concepts againststrategic design vision forthe overall product or assortment mix to deliver trend‑rightconsumer centric product lines andexecute product and packaging approvals ensuring high quality standards
• Develop and coach best‑in‑class design talent through consistent feedback on performance and provide regular development and coaching
• Collaborate with internal partners (Creative Design, Licensing Commercialization, BERGs, CBM, Legal, Business Affairs, Product Integrity, Integrated Retail, BPM, Public Affairs, D&I teams, Cultural Consultants) and external partners (Studios & Disney Channel Content Providers, Games, Publishing, WDI, Licensees, DTR Partners) to design and approve all products
• Collaborate with the greater product design and creative teams to drive up‑front trends, overall creative direction and identify future areas of growth within the franchise and across product categories, including the preparation of custom design tools and retail pitches to differentiate by category
• Collaborate with Global Product Design teams
• Prepare creative/product retail custom design tools, POV boards, Activation Kits and pitches to differentiate by category
• Monitor competitors, product innovation and market dynamics
• Onboard new Licensees, DTR, halo partners globally and locally
• Manage operating budget for category
• Multi‑task and prioritize multiple design projects, running simultaneously with varying levels of complexity
• Develop and design product mock‑ups, layout creative presentations,POV boards, Activation Kits,and retail pitch decks
• Responsible for product design and development from concept through final production stages
• Leads and oversees product approvals including creative direction, revisions, & provides detailed feedback to external Licensees
• Establishes and maintains relationships with Licensees, Vendors and internal partners overseeing all creative aspects of product development

Qualifications

• 6-8+ years of relevant experience
• Extensive knowledge in softlines categories: fashion, accessories, home and textile materials, plastic, textiles, print, pattern, graphic composition, manufacturing)
• Prior experience leading and managing, managing up to senior leaders and across with peers and partners
• Experience acting as a bridge between execution and strategy; to translate strategy into action
• Experience taking ownership of business results
• Experience as a day‑to‑day decision maker
• Experience in influencing key partners and stakeholders
• Able to filter through complex issues, find solutions, gain support and implement change
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong negotiating skills
• Strong product design skills (e.g. 3D product design, technical design, sketching, creative application and manipulation of art, final mechanical art, fabric and trim identification)
• Strong computer software skills (e.g. MS Office, Photoshop, Illustrator)

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in related fields (e.g., industrial design, toy design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design)

Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $141,300.00-$189,400.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with Disney Consumer Products, Inc., which is part of a business we call Disney Consumer Products.

Disney Consumer Products, Inc.is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs(opens in new window). We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.