Product Design and Development Manager

To lead the design, development and approval process of all products within relevant category for the EMEA region.

Areas of Responsibility

• Develop and manage the creative output from licensees ensuring product innovation, brand consistency and compelling execution within a commercial context

• Identify new product opportunities, produce first class conceptual designs and pitch to prospective/existing partners

• Establish and maintain relationships with retailers, internal stakeholders/partners and global and international creative teams

• Manage and develop team, ensuring consistent and appropriate creative direction and feedback is given on all product submissions

• Manage and execute where required, the approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner

• Ensure all licensee product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval system (OPA) as per global product integrity guidelines

• Ensure licensees are provided appropriate creative assets for product development, developing new assets as required against the specific needs of the category and inputting into style guide needs

• Manage creative relationships with internal and external partners, providing inspiration and ensuring product is brand appropriate and adheres to Disney guidelines

• Offer creative input and trend direction to inspire licensees/retailers and help drive quality product

• Run ideation sessions with licensees/retailers to drive product innovation

• Lead all design projects (e.g. product toolkits, product pitches, inspiration boards) within category, utilising internal and external resources as required

• Ensure all new and existing licensees/retailers are trained and kept up to date on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets and approval systems

• Maintain an advanced level of market knowledge for products that fall within your sub-category

• Determine market trends, using them to drive creative strategy, identify new areas of business and establish design requirements

• Develop and maintain an expert knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets in order to assist in their usage on consumer products

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

• Degree level education in a related field or equivalent work experience

• Proven commercial design experience related to relevant category, essential, with the ability to brief and manage external/internal designers and/or agencies

• Packaging experience, desirable

• Previous experience managing and developing the performance of a creative team, essential

• Experience within a consumer products commercialisation environment

• Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments

Skills Required

• An ability to communicate a clear design brief and ensure deliverables meet all criteria

• Have advanced knowledge of trends within the industry of relevant category and the broader world of design with working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production

• An ability to communicate design ideas using freehand drawing, computer techniques and/or third party design resources

• An ability to deliver against set deadlines and budgets

• Strong presentation skills with the ability to effectively present design ideas to internal/external stakeholders at all levels

• Advanced knowledge of Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office

• Fluent English, essential; other European languages, beneficial

• Strong influencing skills with the ability to achieve buy-in at all levels

• Forward thinking with the ability to take industry trends and translate them into something that drives growth for TWDC

• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA

Additional Information

• Flexibility for frequent UK, European or international travel may be required

• Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires

• Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs

• Office based 4 days a week