Designer, Toys & Hardlines (UP&E)

Company Description

We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Here you can be your authentic self. As a company uniquely positioned to educate, entertain and empower through our platforms, Comcast NBCUniversal stands for including everyone. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, coupled with our Corporate Social Responsibility work, is informed by our employees, audiences, park guests and the communities in which we live. We strive to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where our employees feel supported, embraced and heard. Together, we’ll continue to create and deliver content that reflects the current and ever-changing face of the world.

Universal Products & Experiences is seeking a Designer for our Toys & Hardlines division which specializes in product design. The role will be based in our LA office and is responsible for product approvals and product development for Toys and Hardlines. The Universal Products & Experiences team is looking for a candidate that is pro-active, a forward thinker, and has strong communication skills. This position will work with internal and external partners and report into a Design Director for Toys & Hardlines.

Job Description

Responsibilities include:

• Design Expertise and Innovation:
  • Design products that deliver the best play experience for our consumers through fun and innovation
  • Create concept sketches and mood boards for presentations.
  • Initiate brainstorm sessions with peers
  • Provide accurate design input, modifications(overlays)and solutions based on strong understanding of IP priorities, guidelines & assets through all stages of the product approval process.
  • Understand product manufacturing capabilities to guide effective design and development.
  • Drive innovation by maintaining strong knowledge of retail landscape in the toy category.
• Licensing Expertise:
  • Possesses an understanding of the entertainment industry and Consumer Products business.
  • Design to ensure brand excellence by making any necessary character revisions, infusing storytelling and providing property assets and toolkits.
  • Manage volume of product submissions through the product approval system (Mediabox)
  • Participate in product approval meetings with licensees and studio partners.
  • Prepare detailed recap notes from key licensee meetings and share with team.
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Communicates consistently to team and partners.
  • Collaborate with peers to drive creative solutions
  • Develops effective presentations
  • Coordinates with cross-functional partners on new projects and design development progress
  • Build successful working relationships with key partners including (but not limited to):
    • Licensees & manufacturers
    • Category, Retail, and Franchise
    • Studios & filmmakers

Qualifications

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Minimum 3-5 years experience in design or toy industry
• Requires strong communication skills
• Knowledge of product manufacturing and process
• Ability to design from concept through final samples/production
• Polished ability to verbally deliver presentations
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; comfortable with change; able to troubleshoot problems and act decisively
• Ability to prioritize workload
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and organization skills
• Fully proficient with Photoshop & Illustrator. Ability to use InDesign, Keynote, Power Point, Word and Excel
• Must be able to articulate clearly, and drive toward shared solutions with internal and external partners

Education Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Industrial Design, Toy Design, Illustration or comparable field of study

Additional Requirements:

• Hybrid