Associate Designer

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

UP&E globally drives expansion of the company's intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. Games, fashion, and toys only scratch the surface of ways we take Universal stories and characters from the screen and put them into fans' daily lives around the globe. Along with franchise brand management, UP&E’s core businesses include Consumer Products and Games and Digital Platforms. We take properties such as Jurassic World, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Minions, Fast & Furious from our creative content engines like Universal Pictures, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation partner with best-in-class category leaders (e.g. Mattel, Lego, PUMA, Primark, Ferrero etc.) to create amazing products for our fans. UP&E is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/ 

UP&E is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague. 

At UP&E EMEA, we are proud of our unique culture. We are inclusive, curious and creative; channeling a growth mindset in order to drive the commercial and develop our people. In order to achieve this culture, we live by our 3 values:

• Being Human Matters to Us
• Together We Can Achieve Anything
• We Always Keep Growing

The purpose of Associate Designer role is to carry out the product development and brand assurance for all Universal’s consumer brands within hardlines product categories such as toys, games, collectibles and consumer electronics. The Associate Designer will report into the Design Manager and be responsible for working directly with our licensees on a one-to-one basis to help oversee and influence the development of our licensees’ consumer product ranges across EMEA. They will be the key interface between our brands and our partners, art-directing licensees to take designs from initial idea/concept through to final production. They will work closely with our third-party rights owners and film-makers at every stage of development to ensure brand values and talent/character likeness are upheld in every product application, with all legal requirements being adhered to. As a part of the wider Product Design Studio, they will help to gather, report and influence upcoming consumer product trends for development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the day-to-day design and development submissions for Toys & Hardlines categories from concept through to final production across Universal Film and TV titles.
• Manage the submissions between licensees and multiple third-parties via our online product approval system, managing timelines and expectations to meet product range development schedules.
• Work closely with licensees to develop line plans and oversee approvals for product design and packaging.
• Provide clear and concise art direction to licensees: from 3D sculpts to 2D graphic application and typography, providing draw-overs and creative notes that guide our partners, following our character models and brand guidelines.
• Work with and influence licensees to deliver compelling product and innovation, and  maintain high quality across all product ranges.
• Work with the design team to highlight new product trends and opportunities, develop briefs for new artwork and product design explorations.
• Communicate with licensees to understand and support product initiatives and consumer preferences.
• Understanding and application of the wider Universal Product Design Studio Toys & Hardlines strategies.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 1-2 years industry experience within product design and development.
• Preferred entertainment industry experience with licensed-based consumer product approvals.
• Working knowledge of product manufacturing processes with good eye for detail.
• Good communication skills - ability to work with and influence third parties, both internal and external.
• Able to suggest and visually present commercially viable product ideas and features that elevate consumer products to a new level.
• Understand seasonal and current industry trends for product and packaging within EMEA and translate into commercially viable product ideas.
• Illustrator / Photoshop skills are essential to provide effective draw-overs and direction to partners to ensure character / property integrity.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Keen interest and a passion for Toys & Hardlines product categories.
• Ability to communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information in a discreet manner.
• Proven record of working cross functionally with colleagues.
• Ability to identify key priorities within their workload and execute on them.
• Embraces and values coaching and mentoring as opportunities for growth and development

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].