Product Design & Development Director

Job ID 10101428 Location London, United Kingdom Business Disney Experiences Date posted Sep. 25, 2024

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"I didn't think it was possible that something I did for fun - telling sports stories through stats - could become my job until I came here."

Ana, Sr. Researcher, ESPN

Job Summary:

Product Design and Development Director

Overall Purpose of the Role

Lead product design and development across all brands for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), working with creative, category, franchise, and brand merchandising teams to ensure highest quality, consumer focused, trend-right product lines across licensing and Direct-to-retail (DTR) that build brand equity and meet financial targets.

Areas of Responsibility

Lead the execution of product design and development for softlines to deliver on business needs and strategic intent of category

With a focus on creativity and innovation, develop and deliver high quality, authentic storytelling products, which are scalable, and have longevity

Lead up-front trend point of view (POV) for softlines in partnership with creative, and brand merchandising

Identify future areas of growth (with approval of VP) in each franchise and across product categories

Work with licensees to lead development of consumer-centric product lines that are trend-right, deliver market-leading innovation, drive revenue and capture market share globally

Ensure that designs achieve great price/value for each tier of the value pyramid

Drive a product design strategy that ensures our products are market leaders that deliver on business strategies

Responsible for monitoring competitors, product innovations, and market dynamics to deliver trend-right product for each segment of the retail landscape

Direct product approvals that uphold the integrity of our franchises and deliver the highest price value

Work with licensees to design and approve market leading product lines for the franchises

Direct execution against seasonal concept and vision for categories in partnership with creative, merchandising, and sourcing teams

Partner with studio, content providers, global creative and marketing teams to bring our content and intellectual property (IP) to life properly and with a consistent brand point of view across the globe

Monitor and maintain quality in colour, material, function and form of all products

Obtain quality assurance (QA) approvals and re-design as needed to meet global TWDC quality standards

Lead overall management of agency, DTR and partner relationships

Regular review of systems and processes with the purpose of reducing administration and creating more creative time

Establish and manage high level EMEA product to market (PTM) calendar anchored in global PTM but with the relevant local nuance

Team Leadership and Management

Lead the team to build compelling stories through product design to drive brand vision and increase emotional connection with our consumers

Lead team through ambiguity and change – consistently engaging with, developing, and influencing teams effectively to a build strong collaborative environment

Drive conversation and activities with sourcing to develop and cost the line, building cross-functional relationships

Drive conversation with brand merchandising to create a product line in all activities, including key milestone meetings

Lead communication and collaboration with key franchise partners

Communicate to influence cross-functional partners to drive execution and remove roadblocks

Maintain a strong point of view on consumer and trend and ensure that this is effectively communicated across stakeholders and management

Lead through the team to build, develop and retain best-in-class design talent

Manages operating budget for each category to meet financial targets

Training and Professional Development

Operate with integrity, champion change and be a good ambassador for DCP and the wider Walt Disney Company

Operate as part of an effective and inclusive team by demonstrating an awareness of others; welcoming and valuing unique perspectives and ideas; offering support, sharing knowledge and best practices in order to contribute to overall departmental commitments

Take ownership of your professional development through regular career conversations with your line manager and utilising available resources such as D Learn, instructor-led courses and on the job learning

Proactively suggest ways to improve departmental performance and processes, leveraging technological tools where applicable

Build links with other TWDC functions to develop broader knowledge of the business

Promote and maintain an inclusive workplace, championing diversity and inclusion and make use of available resources to extend knowledge and best practice

Manage the training and development of all direct reports ensuring commitments are set, regularly reviewed and feedback given using the D Achieve philosophy, where applicable

Contribute to maintaining and enhancing the standard of training and development, encouraging participation so that everyone has the tools and resources to do their role effectively and efficiently

Areas of Accountability

Accountable to VP, Regional Merchandising & Product Design EMEA

Accountable for successful delivery of designs that achieve great price/value for each tier of the value pyramid

Accountable for effective partnership with studio, content providers, global creative and marketing teams to bring our content and IP to life properly and with a consistent brand point of view across the globe

Accountable for leading communication and collaboration with key franchise partners

Accountable for successful leadership and development of the team

Accountable for cultivating and maintaining productive relationships and collaborating across departments internally and externally

Accountable for managing defined operating budget for each category to meet financial targets

Accountable for helping to build compelling stories to drive brand vision which leads to an increased emotional connection with our consumers

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

Significant product development experience at leadership level

Experience in designing and developing softlines product that resonates with consumers both globally and locally across the world

Deep knowledge and understanding of licensing and experience working with multiple global and regional partners

Strong understanding and high level of interest of The Walt Disney Company consumer product portfolio

Experience working with large-scale, global retailers and partners to bring product designs to market for a variety of different consumer targets

Proven experience of working, and thriving, in a matrix organisation

Experience in multiple retail and distribution models within the global market

Proven experience of leading, developing, and managing the performance of a creative team

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

Skills Required

Leadership skills – skilled in leading through change and uncertainty

Skilled in building effective networks and influencing key stakeholders and achieving buy-in at all levels

Commitment to team engagement and development

Financial acumen

Ability to motivate and inspire a team and lead them towards a common goal

Demonstrable ability to lead a product design team in the creation of consumer-led items through the development cycle

Demonstrable ability to capitalise on market trends and consumer Zeitgeist to maximize value creation throughout the trend cycle

Demonstrable ability to create, leverage and scale innovation in consumer products

Strategic thinker with the ability to drive quality product design within financial Key Performance indicators (KPIs)

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and engage with a diverse audience including but not limited to external partners and business owners, to bring product designs to life

Proven ability to think creatively to bring and infuse new ideas into product design and not be afraid to challenge the status quo

Demonstrable ability to lead the organisational and cultural change efforts needed to ensure new, innovative concepts, business practices, and technologies are fully adopted and integrated into the business

Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA

Computer literate including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Adobe and other design packages

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

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About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Walt Disney Company Limited, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

The Walt Disney Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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