Director, Design & Development

About the Role

The Director, Design & Development is responsible for leading a diverse fashion creative team and driving a creative vision rooted in the contemporary consumer, while supporting and owning category growth objectives. This role provides creative and strategic leadership across a broad portfolio, overseeing all Fashion & Living responsibilities spanning Universal Studios, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, TV, and E-commerce businesses for licensing and Parks. The role fosters a professional and inspiring creative environment that encourages smart, innovative design solutions at every level.

What You'll Do

Creative Leadership & Vision

• Lead and oversee the creative vision across multiple categories, ensuring brand consistency, innovation, and elevated design execution
• Develop innovative concepts, visual storytelling, and brand-right creative solutions
• Act as the creative bridge between licensors, licensees, retail partners, and internal teams
• Align creative vision, brand strategy, and commercial objectives across all product categories
• Influence stakeholders across Category Management, Retail Development, Licensing, and Parks
• Maintain exceptional standards of design quality, craftsmanship, and execution

Product Development & Design Execution

• Partner with Retail Buying teams, licensees, and Category Leadership on product assortments
• Lead all creative aspects of fashion and product design, from concept sketching through final visual assets
• Interpret and evolve style guides; create original graphic assets and expressions of IP
• Translate trends in materials, silhouettes, and consumer behavior into licensed products
• Create presentations and creative assets for stakeholders, licensors, licensees, and retail partners
• Apply expertise in composition, typography, color theory, manufacturing/printing processes, and pattern development

Licensing & Brand Stewardship

• Manage end-to-end licensor approvals for brand standards, contractual obligations, and creative expectations
• Interpret and elevate licensor feedback while maintaining brand authenticity and integrity
• Partner with IP holders to create differentiated, market-leading product experiences

Business Ownership & Financial Management

• Partner with Category and Retail Leadership to drive quarterly and annual business performance
• Own creative budget management and track budgets for development assets and design execution

Team Leadership, Performance & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Fashion Design team
• Drive annual performance management and quarterly 1:1 development conversations
• Create and support career pathways and succession plans

Pay & Benefits

$150,000–$180,000/year