Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: NBCUniversal

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design & Development / Brand Management

Date Posted: 2026-08-19T22:09:07.937

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee end-to-end creative and product development for Toys & Hardlines categories, ensuring brand integrity and commercial success for Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E).

• Drive design excellence, innovation, and strategic execution in product lines that align with brand vision, franchise priorities, and retailer business objectives.

• Lead and mentor a team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive creative culture that encourages thoughtful risk-taking and growth.

• Act as a key liaison between internal teams, external licensees, and licensing agents to ensure market-ready products are delivered on time and to high quality standards.

• Leverage deep category and brand expertise to identify market trends, uncover new opportunities, and translate strategic ideas into compelling, differentiated product ranges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Design Manager at NBCUniversal's Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) segment is deeply integrated with brand strategy and commercial execution within the consumer products licensing domain. This position requires a blend of creative leadership, product development acumen, and strong partnership management, particularly with licensees in the ANZ/SEA region. The emphasis on "imagination beyond the screen" highlights a need for innovative thinking and the ability to translate entertainment intellectual property (IP) into tangible, desirable products for consumers.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the product development lifecycle for Toys and Hardlines categories, working closely with ANZ/SEA licensees and licensing agents to ensure brand integrity, quality, and commercial relevance.

• Provide confident and clear creative direction across all projects, facilitating effective decision-making and driving projects to successful outcomes with internal and external partners.

• Cultivate a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive creative culture that promotes innovation, professional growth, and a willingness to explore new ideas.

• Optimize design processes, timelines, and resource allocation to ensure design development aligns with overarching business objectives and critical milestones.

• Apply in-depth brand and category expertise to identify emerging trends, discover new market opportunities, and translate strategic concepts into innovative and commercially viable product lines.

• Conceptualize and drive the development of compelling, differentiated, and on-brand product ranges across assigned categories.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional internal teams, including Category, Franchise, Legal, and Marketing, to support and advance business initiatives and strategies.

• Ensure all licensed products rigorously uphold the integrity, storytelling, and visual consistency of Universal franchises.

• Guide licensees through the entire licensing and approval process, clearly setting expectations for quality, timelines, and execution standards.

• Serve as a product expert, advising on execution, materials, technical design, and manufacturing constraints to ensure feasibility and cost-effectiveness.

• Maintain a professional understanding of product development and retail timelines, ensuring all milestones from concept approval to in-store launch are met with accuracy and efficiency.

• Champion brand consistency by ensuring all designs meet Universal's stringent creative and quality standards.

• Deliver clear, actionable creative and product design direction and guidelines to external partners.

• Manage and prioritize team workload and project priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Lead creative brainstorming sessions for new product concepts, category expansions, and brand extensions.

• Continuously monitor global design, retail, consumer, and cultural trends to identify new opportunities for product and design innovation.

• Analyze competitive products and packaging to inspire differentiation and foster innovation within UP&E's offerings.

• Lead and model effective cross-functional communication, building trusted relationships with internal teams, leadership, and external partners to foster open dialogue, alignment, and effective decision-making.

• Utilize strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence across company divisions, managing multiple third parties, rights owners, and filmmakers.

• Represent the Product Design Studio (PDS) in internal and external meetings, providing clear creative direction and defining follow-through actions and outcomes.

• Oversee collaboration with partners across all stages of product design and development, ensuring clarity, accountability, and on-brand execution.

• Partner closely with Category, Franchise, and Legal teams to equip partners with the necessary tools, assets, guidance, and information for commercially compelling product delivery.

• Confidently pitch and present creative strategies, product designs, and line plans to partners, adapting messaging to influence diverse stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a "player-coach" role. The Design Manager is expected to be hands-on with creative direction and product development while also managing a team and external partnerships. The emphasis on "ANZ/SEA licensees" suggests a need for cultural awareness and experience working with international partners, potentially involving different time zones and communication styles. The mention of "filmmakers" implies a potential need to liaise with creative talent or their representatives, requiring strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for a management role of this nature.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design and development, with a significant portion focused on consumer products, toys, and/or hardlines licensing. Proven experience in a management or team leadership role is essential.

Required Skills:

• Strong concept-to-execution design capability across toys, hardlines, and broader consumer products.

• Proven ability to translate brand guidelines, character stylization, and entertainment intellectual property (IP) into compelling, market-ready product designs.

• Proficiency in sketching, visual ideation, and digital rendering techniques to clearly communicate design intent.

• Skill in providing effective drawovers and direction to external partners, ensuring character and property integrity is maintained.

• Understanding of tooling, materials, safety requirements, and manufacturing constraints, with the ability to design within cost and feasibility parameters.

• Expertise in reviewing prototypes, samples, and pre-production builds to ensure design integrity throughout the development process.

• Ability to create clear, production-ready design documentation, including specifications, artwork files, and presentation materials.

• Strong visual storytelling and presentation skills, adept at effectively selling ideas internally and to external partners.

• Proficient understanding of packaging structure, branding design elements, and toy functional details and instructions.

• Up-to-date knowledge of current market trends and the ability to translate these into relevant product concepts for Universal IPs.

• Experience managing and prioritizing team workload and project priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to lead creative brainstorming sessions and drive innovation.

• Experience fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing creative culture.

• Excellent cross-functional communication and relationship-building skills.

• Effective negotiation skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across different divisions. Preferred Skills:

• Deep understanding of entertainment and consumer products licensing across Toys & Hardlines and other relevant categories.

• Experience working with international markets, specifically ANZ/SEA regions, understanding cultural nuances and business practices.

• Familiarity with Universal's specific franchises and brand portfolio.

• Experience with project management methodologies and tools.

• Knowledge of retail environments and buyer expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desired Characteristics" section in the original listing is somewhat redundant with the "Basic Requirements." This enhancement clarifies and separates them, emphasizing the "nice-to-haves" that would make a candidate stand out, particularly the international market experience and specific IP knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a strong portfolio demonstrating a clear progression from concept ideation to final, market-ready product.

• Include examples of product designs for toys and hardlines, highlighting how brand guidelines and entertainment IP were translated into compelling consumer products.

• Present case studies that illustrate successful collaboration with external partners (licensees, agents) and how design challenges were overcome.

• Detail your role in the product development process, from initial sketches and digital renderings to prototype reviews and production oversight.

• Demonstrate your ability to manage timelines, budgets, and manufacturing constraints, showcasing problem-solving skills related to production feasibility.

• Include examples of packaging design and branding elements that effectively communicate product value and align with brand identity. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating clear, production-ready design documentation, including specifications, artwork files, and presentation materials.

• Examples of design guidelines provided to licensees or manufacturing partners, demonstrating clarity and effectiveness in ensuring brand and quality standards.

• Documentation of how you have managed and optimized design processes, timelines, and resource allocation to meet business objectives.

• Case studies or examples of how you have monitored and incorporated market trends and competitive analysis into the product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role in product development and licensing, a strong portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating a complete understanding of the product lifecycle, from creative concept to commercial viability, and the ability to manage external partnerships effectively. The portfolio should showcase not just aesthetic design skills but also problem-solving, process management, and brand stewardship.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Manager with 5-10 years of experience in a major entertainment/consumer products company in Melbourne, Australia, the estimated annual salary range is AUD $110,000 - $150,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, negotiation skills, and the company's internal compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., Superannuation contributions) in accordance with Australian regulations.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conferences.

• Employee discounts on NBCUniversal products, experiences, and potentially other Comcast services.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and incentives.

• Access to employee assistance programs for mental health and well-being support.

• On-site amenities (if applicable) such as gyms, cafeterias, or collaborative workspaces.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this full-time, on-site role are approximately 40 hours per week. While a structured work week is expected, flexibility may be available to accommodate project deadlines and international partner communication, subject to team and management approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on research of Design Manager roles in the Melbourne market, considering the experience level (5-10 years) and the industry (Media & Entertainment/Consumer Products). Benefits are typical for a large multinational corporation like NBCUniversal in Australia, adhering to local employment laws and competitive market offerings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, specifically focused on the transformation of iconic stories into consumer products and experiences through licensing and direct-to-consumer channels. The company operates within the dynamic global market for entertainment-driven merchandise.

Company Size: NBCUniversal is a large, multinational corporation, part of Comcast Corporation. Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) is a significant division within this conglomerate, operating with the agility of a startup while leveraging the resources of a global entity. This size offers stability and extensive resources, while the startup-like approach within UP&E fosters innovation and rapid execution.

Founded: NBCUniversal traces its roots through various mergers and acquisitions, with NBC dating back to 1926 and Universal Pictures to 1912. UP&E itself operates with a modern, forward-thinking ethos, emphasizing creativity, technology, and storytelling.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely lead a team of designers, product developers, and potentially project coordinators within the Product Design Studio (PDS).

• Reporting structure will likely involve a Director or VP of Product Design or a senior leader within Universal Products & Experiences.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a critical aspect, involving close partnerships with Category Managers, Franchise Management, Legal, Marketing, Sales, and external licensees and agents. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Utilizing market trend analysis, competitive research, and consumer insights to inform design direction and identify product opportunities.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Streamlining the end-to-end product development process from concept to production, ensuring efficiency, quality, and timely delivery.

• Automation & Efficiency Practices: While not explicitly detailed for design, efficiency in managing workflows, approvals, and communication with partners is key. Leveraging digital tools for rendering, documentation, and collaboration enhances these practices.

Company Website: https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description emphasizes a culture that values creativity, technology, and storytelling, with a mission to bring imagination beyond the screen. The "startup energy" within UP&E suggests a fast-paced, innovative environment where individual contributions are recognized and impact is visible. The emphasis on inclusivity and diverse talent is a key cultural pillar.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position, typically requiring 5-10 years of relevant experience. It sits within the "Design Management" or "Product Development Management" track, focused on leading creative teams and product strategy within a specific category.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a higher-level executive within the Universal Products & Experiences division, likely a Director or VP of Product Design or Brand Management. They will, in turn, manage a team of designers and potentially project coordinators.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is directly tied to the commercial success of the Toys & Hardlines categories for Universal's franchises. By driving design excellence, innovation, and ensuring brand integrity, they contribute significantly to revenue generation, brand perception, and consumer engagement through licensed products. Their work influences retailer partnerships and the overall market presence of Universal IPs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Advancement to Senior Design Manager, Director of Design, or VP of Product Development, overseeing broader categories or multiple regions.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Brand Management, Franchise Management, or Product Strategy roles within UP&E or other NBCUniversal divisions.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in emerging design technologies, market trends, and leadership best practices through internal training, external courses, and industry events.

• Global Exposure: Potential to work on global product lines, manage international teams, or take on assignments in other major markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Design Manager in this context involves deepening expertise in product design and licensing, moving into broader leadership roles, or transitioning into strategic brand and franchise management functions. The emphasis on "creating moments that matter" suggests a company that values meaningful contributions and offers pathways for employees to grow with the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a requirement to work from a physical NBCUniversal office location in Melbourne. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is 92 High Street, Windsor, Victoria, Australia (part of the Melbourne metropolitan area). This location places the office within a commercially active area with good accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a workspace designed to facilitate teamwork, brainstorming, and cross-functional interaction, with communal areas and meeting rooms.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, 3D rendering tools), project management platforms, and communication tools necessary for managing global teams and partners.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person collaboration with direct reports, peers, and senior management, fostering a connected team dynamic. The on-site nature supports spontaneous idea sharing and team cohesion.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely adhering to standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week). While on-site, there may be some flexibility for urgent international calls or project deadlines, managed in coordination with the team and management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement is a key differentiator. This implies an environment where in-person collaboration, spontaneous idea exchange, and direct mentorship are prioritized, which is often crucial for creative and product development roles. The Melbourne location suggests a vibrant office hub for the region.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about your experience, leadership style, and approach to product development and design management. This is where your understanding of the role's responsibilities will be tested.

• Portfolio Review: A crucial stage where you will present your design portfolio to a panel, likely including the hiring manager, senior designers, and potentially marketing or franchise representatives. Be prepared to walk through your projects, explaining your process, decision-making, and impact.

• Cross-Functional Interview(s): Interviews with key stakeholders from other departments (e.g., marketing, legal, category management) to assess collaboration skills and understanding of broader business objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within UP&E to confirm fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills in Toys & Hardlines, licensing, and end-to-end product development.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem/brief, your role, your creative process, the challenges faced (e.g., manufacturing constraints, brand consistency), your solutions, and the ultimate outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with licensees, agents, and internal teams. Showcase your ability to provide clear direction and manage partnerships.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Show how you successfully translated entertainment IP into market-ready products, maintaining brand integrity while adding commercial appeal.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples of sketching, digital rendering, prototype reviews, and design documentation.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle creative disagreements, your approach to trend analysis, and your experience with manufacturing and costing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a brief to develop a product concept for a specific Universal IP within a set timeframe. Focus on creative ideation, feasibility, and brand alignment.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your portfolio and any challenge work concisely and engagingly. Ensure you can articulate your strategic thinking and creative rationale clearly.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare for questions about your leadership style, how you manage difficult stakeholders, how you foster innovation, and how you handle pressure or tight deadlines. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the most critical component for this role. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their designs but also articulate their strategic thinking, collaborative approach, and understanding of the licensing and product development lifecycle. The emphasis on "selling ideas" internally and externally means presentation skills are as important as design execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign for visual design, mockups, and asset creation.

• 3D Rendering Software: Tools like Keyshot, Blender, or similar for visualizing product designs and creating realistic mockups.

• Sketching & Ideation Tools: Procreate, Sketchbook, or even traditional sketching for initial concept development.

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote for creating compelling visual presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a core analytics role, familiarity with market research tools and competitive analysis platforms would be beneficial.

• Ability to interpret sales data or retail performance reports to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing a CRM, understanding how product information flows into PIM (Product Information Management) systems or how licensing agreements are managed would be advantageous.

• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira) are likely used for workflow tracking and team task management.

• Communication platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and email are essential for daily operations and partner communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a Design Manager is primarily focused on creative software and project management tools. While direct CRM or automation tool experience isn't explicitly listed as a requirement, proficiency in digital rendering and design visualization is key. Familiarity with tools that facilitate efficient communication and project tracking is also important, especially when working with international partners.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the creation of imaginative products that go "beyond the screen." This encourages thoughtful risk-taking and novel approaches to design.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued, leading to stronger team dynamics and more robust creative output. Building trusted relationships is paramount.

• Brand Stewardship: A deep commitment to upholding the integrity, storytelling, and quality standards of Universal's beloved franchises.

• Efficiency & Agility: Operating with the energy of a startup to drive rapid execution and deliver market-ready products on time, while optimizing processes and resources.

• Customer/Fan Focus: Transforming iconic stories into products that fans can wear, play, collect, and enjoy, creating moments that matter for consumers.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A highly collaborative approach, working seamlessly with internal teams (Category, Franchise, Legal) and external partners (licensees, agents) to ensure alignment and successful product launches.

• Process Review & Feedback: Open dialogue and constructive feedback are encouraged to refine designs and processes, ensuring continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that supports sharing insights on trends, design techniques, and market opportunities to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at UP&E is a blend of large corporate structure and startup agility, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and a strong connection to the entertainment brands. The values point towards a team that is passionate about storytelling and consumer engagement, while also being results-oriented and process-driven.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Integrity with Commercial Viability: Ensuring designs are authentic to the IP while also being appealing and profitable in the market. This requires strategic creative decision-making.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively navigating the expectations and requirements of internal teams, external licensees, rights holders, and potentially filmmakers, often across different regions and time zones.

• Keeping Pace with Trends: The fast-moving consumer product and entertainment landscape requires constant adaptation and innovation to stay relevant and competitive.

• Optimizing Global Supply Chains: Understanding and managing manufacturing constraints, costs, and timelines, especially when working with international partners in regions like ANZ/SEA.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepening expertise in product development methodologies, licensing agreements, and supply chain dynamics specific to consumer goods.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend relevant design, licensing, and entertainment industry events to stay abreast of global trends and network.

• Mentorship & Leadership Development: Access to mentorship programs and leadership training to hone management skills and prepare for higher-level roles within NBCUniversal.

• Exposure to Diverse IPs: Working across a wide range of Universal's beloved franchises provides continuous learning opportunities about different storytelling genres and target demographics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complex, multi-faceted nature of the role, requiring strong problem-solving and negotiation skills. The growth opportunities are geared towards advancing within the product design and brand management sphere, with a clear pathway for leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a complex entertainment IP into a successful toy or hardlines product line. What are the key considerations?" (Focus on IP integrity, target audience, market trends, and manufacturing feasibility).

• "How do you provide constructive creative feedback to external partners who may have different priorities or perspectives?" (Emphasize clear communication, data-backed reasoning, and building collaborative relationships).

• "Walk us through a time you had to manage competing priorities or tight deadlines for a product launch. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Use the STAR method, highlighting your organizational and problem-solving skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Universal Products & Experiences and our mission to bring imagination beyond the screen?" (Showcase your understanding of the company's vision and your passion for entertainment IP).

• "How do you foster an inclusive and innovative creative culture within your team?" (Discuss your leadership style, how you encourage diverse ideas, and manage risk-taking).

• "How do you measure the success of your design initiatives and their impact on the business?" (Focus on metrics like commercial success, brand alignment, consumer reception, and efficiency gains). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps chronologically or by project type. For each project, clearly define the objective, your role, the process, challenges, solutions, and results.

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions. Use compelling visuals and concise descriptions.

• Metrics: Quantify success where possible. If you can't provide exact sales figures, speak to market reception, retailer feedback, or how the product met specific strategic goals.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work. Engage with the interviewers, ask clarifying questions, and demonstrate your passion and expertise. Practice your presentation to ensure it flows smoothly and stays within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus heavily on demonstrating a blend of creative vision, strategic thinking, and practical execution, all within the context of brand licensing and product development. The ability to articulate your process and impact through your portfolio is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SmartRecruiters platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in toy/hardlines product development, entertainment licensing, and creative leadership. Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and showcases your most relevant work.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience with end-to-end product development, brand stewardship, cross-functional collaboration, and team management. Use keywords from the job description such as "product development," "licensing," "creative direction," and "brand integrity."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, process explanation, and quantifiable results. Prepare answers for common behavioral and situational questions related to design management, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with NBCUniversal's broader company mission, values, and recent successes within Universal Products & Experiences. Understand the company's approach to storytelling and brand extension.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.