Manager, Design & Development

NBCUniversal•Universal City, CA

11d•$105,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Design & Development leads the design, development, and execution of lifestyle accessory categories—including bags, backpacks, footwear, jewelry, socks, hair accessories, and related accessories—across licensed and vertically integrated brands. The role partners with cross-functional teams, licensees, vendors, and manufacturers to bring innovative, high-quality products to market that meet brand standards, consumer expectations, and business objectives. The position manages products from ideation through production, applying product design expertise and technical development knowledge to create concepts, sketches, draw-overs, 3D renderings, tech packs, prototypes, and final design approvals. It uses AI-powered design tools and emerging technologies to support creative workflows, and provides clear design direction and actionable feedback to partners. The role also manages product approval workflows, coordinates with internal stakeholders and external partners, and helps ensure products are visually compelling, technically sound, commercially viable, and executed to the required quality standards. This position currently follows a hybrid schedule, requiring work from the office at least four days per week. The company may change in-office requirements. The role is eligible for company-sponsored benefits. The stated salary range is $105,000–$125,000 and is bonus eligible.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Product Design, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in product design and development, preferably in accessories, footwear, apparel, home products, or licensed consumer products.
Demonstrated experience creating detailed tech packs and product specifications.
Strong proficiency in 3D design, rendering, and product visualization tools.
Experience using AI design tools in the product-development process.
Strong draw-over, illustration, and visual communication skills.
Advanced proficiency with Mac and Microsoft applications and expert-level skills in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as well as Keynote and product approval systems.
Strong understanding of materials, construction methods, manufacturing processes, and product execution.
Experience managing products from concept through production.
Ability to prioritize and multitask in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
Strong communication skills and ability to provide thoughtful, clear creative art direction.
Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
Ability to provide clear, actionable creative feedback to internal and external partners.
Self-starter with a strong leadership mindset; highly organized, resourceful, and proactive.
Flexibility and ability to find compromise in challenging situations.

Responsibilities

Design and oversee lifestyle accessory categories, including bags, backpacks, footwear, jewelry, socks, hair accessories, and related accessories.
Lead the design and development of accessory products across multiple licensed and vertically integrated brands, ensuring product execution, quality, innovation, and elevation.
Apply knowledge of materials, fabrications, color palettes, construction methods, embellishments, and manufacturing techniques to develop brand-appropriate products across price points.
Manage projects from concept through production, including trend research, sketches, draw-overs, 3D renderings, tech packs, prototypes, and final design approvals.
Use AI-powered design tools and emerging technologies to enhance concept development, creative workflows, and innovation.
Create detailed tech packs and supporting product-development documentation.
Provide draw-overs, creative notes, graphic direction, typography guidance, and visual feedback to licensees and manufacturing partners.
Recommend and visually communicate commercially viable product ideas for consumer products and Parks experiences.
Track seasonal and emerging trends across fashion, graphics, color, materials, packaging, and product design, and translate them into product opportunities.
Manage 2D and 3D product approvals for assigned accessory categories and provide accurate, actionable design feedback.
Collaborate with licensees and vendors to ensure products align with brand standards, design intent, quality expectations, and business objectives.
Research market trends, consumer insights, competitive activity, and emerging opportunities to inform product concepts.
Develop trend reports, style guides, product concepts, color direction, and visual assets to support IP priorities and product strategies.
Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external creative partners to align product vision, business goals, workload priorities, timelines, milestones, and launch objectives.
Manage approval workflows, including routing approvals through Legal, Compliance, Product Safety, and third-party IP stakeholders.
Use MediaBox, Adobe Launchpad, and related platforms to manage product review and approval processes.
Lead product approval meetings and ensure feedback, approvals, and decisions are recorded and communicated promptly.
Assess licensee and vendor design and manufacturing capabilities to guide product development and resolve execution challenges.
Build and maintain relationships with licensees, vendors, manufacturers, and creative partners, including onboarding new partners as needed.
Lead kickoff meetings and product-development discussions with licensees, vendors, and manufacturers.
Provide guidance and support to junior team members as appropriate.
Attend trade shows, retail visits, and licensee meetings as needed to monitor industry trends and support business initiatives.
Prepare meeting recaps and communicate key decisions, action items, and next steps to stakeholders.
Contribute product-development and design perspectives during creative reviews and cross-functional discussions.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.