Design Manager

Warner Bros. Discovery • Burbank, CA

5d

About The Position

We are seeking a visionary Design Manager to join our top-tier global creative team at WBDGCP. This role is ideal for a passionate people leader who thrives on mentoring, inspiring, and empowering others. If you believe in lifting your team up and celebrating their success above your own, we want to hear from you. As a strategic and hands-on creative, you will define and drive the overarching creative strategy for style guides across our robust franchise portfolio. You’ll lead the end-to-end development of these guides—both in-house and through external agencies—ensuring they are trend-forward, globally relevant, and deeply aligned with brand storytelling. These guides are not just creative assets. They are revenue-driving tools that shape how our brands show up in the world. We’re looking for someone who is: A natural coach and mentor, with a proven track record of building high-performing, collaborative teams. An exceptionally creative strategist, with deep expertise in trend analysis, illustration, graphic design, character art, color theory, and typography. A results-oriented project leader, capable of delivering a full lineup of style guides on time and within budget, while maintaining the highest creative standards. You’ll manage cross-functional relationships, guide creative development, and ensure our assets inspire licensees and elevate our brands globally. A passion for our DC, animation, and theatrical properties is essential, as is the ability to translate brand DNA into compelling, fashion-based creative work.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in design, creative direction, and brand development, with a strong portfolio of commercially successful work.
• BA, BFA or 2 years technical college in a design discipline preferred
• Work and life experience demonstrated across a robust portfolio of strong story-telling creative is required
• Proven success in managing and developing creative teams, with a focus on mentorship, collaboration, and team empowerment
• Strategic thinker and compelling storyteller, with the ability to translate brand DNA into innovative, revenue-driving creative assets
• Expert-level skills in illustration, graphic design, character art, typography, and color theory
• Demonstrated experience in developing style guides or brand toolkits that inspire global licensees and drive business results
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities, with a track record of delivering complex creative projects on time and within budget
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative vision and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop); working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), PowerPoint/Keynote, and Adobe Dimensions
• Familiarity with licensing business models and global brand management; direct experience is a strong plus
• Deep passion for entertainment, fashion, and pop culture, especially DC, animation, and theatrical properties
• Strong awareness of global design, fashion, and cultural trends, with the ability to translate insights into forward-thinking creative work
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-impact creative work under pressure, navigate complex stakeholder review and approval processes, and build strong, collaborative relationships—while championing diversity, inclusion, and a culture of respect throughout the creative journey

Responsibilities

• Leads, mentors, and inspires a team of designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous growth
• Develops and executes the creative strategy for style guides across multiple franchises, ensuring alignment with brand positioning and storytelling
• Oversees the full lifecycle of style guide development—from concept through delivery—managing internal teams and external agencies
• Ensures all creative output is trend-forward, globally relevant, and tailored to inspire licensees and drive commercial success
• Collaborates cross-functionally with franchise, product, retail, and marketing teams to ensure creative consistency and strategic alignment
• Manages timelines, budgets, and resources to deliver high-quality creative assets on schedule and within scope
• Champions innovation and elevates the visual identity of our brands through compelling, fashion-based creative work
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• health insurance coverage
• an employee wellness program
• life and disability insurance
• a retirement savings plan
• paid holidays and sick time and vacation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager