Director, Creative Themed Design

Universal Orlando•Orlando, FL

About The Position

At Universal Creative, we design, develop and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable to drive growth for Universal Destinations & Experiences worldwide. Our innovative attractions, immersive theme parks and world-class resorts fuse art and technology to create new standards in the themed entertainment industry. Our Team Members are the driving force behind Universal Creative. With their diverse skills and forward-thinking ideas, our team pushes us beyond the boundaries of what’s possible to achieve the extraordinary. Together, we’re creating a Universe of fun, always ensuring the next thing we do is better than the last thing we did. JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for the creative, experiential, and technical leadership of Universal’s immersive hospitality platform, directing the design and development of integrated guest experiences and environments, entertainment venues, food and beverage destinations, retail experiences, guest rooms and premium accommodations, exterior leisure spaces, and all shared guest-facing areas. This role leads overall planning, layout development, and the integration of themed entertainment design within a complex environment, ensuring Universal Creative’s design excellence aligns with applicable regulatory requirements, structural and infrastructure parameters, operational needs, and global guest expectations. The Director serves as Universal Creative’s principal creative and design authority for projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams and external development, engineering, and specialty partners from strategy through concept and execution. This role ensures the fully integrated guest experience aligns with Universal’s brand standards, innovation objectives, Intellectual Property (IP) strategy, and long-term business vision.

Requirements

Deep understanding of themed entertainment design, guest experience development, immersive environments, and narrative-led spatial design.
Strong working knowledge of large-scale, immersive hospitality and guest environment design, complex global regulatory and life-safety frameworks, accessibility standards, and the integration of advanced infrastructure systems with immersive experiential environments.
Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate and develop comprehensive design documentation, large-scale master planning strategies, interior architecture packages, technical drawings, and complex environmental and operational parameters within highly regulated, infrastructure-intensive environments.
Exceptional communication skills with proven ability to present to executive leadership, partners, executives, and external stakeholders.
Ability to interpret technical information, evaluate complex variables, and guide teams toward actionable solutions.
Strong business acumen with ability to balance creative intent, guest experience, schedule, and budget under a global project framework.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret spread sheets.
Ability to read, comment on, develop, and iterate master and landscape plans and drawings at multiple scales.
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Consistent attendance is a job requirement.
Bachelor’s degree required in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Structural, Systems, or Large-Scale Infrastructure Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field.
15+ years of experience in themed entertainment design, hospitality design, or large-scale, immersive guest environment development.
Demonstrated experience delivering highly complex, infrastructure-intensive projects through all phases — from early concept and feasibility through detailed design, fabrication, integration, and commissioning — within complex, infrastructure-intensive build environments.
Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing external design, engineering, and specialty fabrication partners at a Senior Leadership level.
International project experience and deep familiarity with global design standards, regulatory frameworks, and complex construction practices required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred in Architecture, Integrated Environmental Design, Engineering, or Business/Strategy.
Professional licensure in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or equivalent credential preferred.
Experience developing or executing long-term strategies for hospitality or destination platforms is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Creative & Technical Leadership of Integrated Guest Environments
Cross-Disciplinary Creative Collaboration & Integration
Leadership of Creative Culture
Enterprise Hospitality Product Development Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
Strategic Partnerships, Licensor & Internal Integration
Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
Performs other duties as assigned.