Principal Designer, Content Discovery

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Designer, Content Discovery

Company: NBCUniversal

Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX Design (with a strong focus on GTM strategy and user experience)

Date Posted: March 04, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (minimum 4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic evolution of content discovery experiences for NBCUniversal's Media Group portfolio, including Peacock, NOW, Fandango, and SkyShowtime, across 70+ countries.

• Drive innovation in user experience through the application of generative AI, next-gen mobile interfaces, and personalized content discovery systems.

• Own the end-to-end design process for complex initiatives, from initial problem definition and user research to final implementation and iteration.

• Foster a culture of design excellence and continuous improvement within a fast-paced, collaborative GTM environment.

• Serve as a key liaison between product, engineering, data, research, and leadership teams to ensure strategic alignment and successful product launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Principal Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into strategic product ownership and cross-functional GTM leadership, which are critical in a revenue-generating context. The focus on "Content Discovery" directly impacts user engagement and retention, key metrics for streaming services. This role requires not just design execution but also a deep understanding of product strategy and market dynamics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and drive the complete design lifecycle for significant content discovery initiatives, including AI-powered search features, dynamic metadata experiences (e.g., Bento-style interfaces), and advanced mobile discovery platforms.

• Translate ambiguous user needs and business objectives into clear, actionable design frameworks, hypotheses, and innovative design directions that align with overarching product and GTM strategies.

• Develop and deliver production-ready UX designs, considering both domestic and international audience needs, accessibility standards, and platform-specific usability requirements.

• Proactively identify actionable insights from user data, market analysis, and competitor benchmarks to inform and refine long-term design and product strategies.

• Cultivate strong alignment among diverse stakeholders, including product management, engineering, data science, research, and executive leadership, on research findings and critical design decisions.

• Facilitate rapid progress on existing design work, including detailed experience designs, comprehensive UX guides, information architecture mapping, and visual design specifications, ensuring timely project completion.

• Collaborate intensely with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and User Researchers to define project requirements, scope, technical dependencies, and key success metrics for GTM initiatives.

• Engage in cross-functional ideation and concept exploration throughout project lifecycles, driving UX solutions and strategic planning while maintaining oversight of project execution.

• Maintain an exceptionally high standard of design quality and an obsessive attention to detail across all deliverables.

• Lead and mentor junior designers, providing creative direction, fostering talent development, and defining best practices and design patterns for the product and the broader design team.

• Articulate design rationale and findings clearly and compellingly to fellow designers and stakeholders, ensuring designs are visually compelling and strategically aligned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic leadership component beyond typical design execution. The emphasis on "ownership," "driving alignment," and "partnering closely" indicates a role that is deeply integrated into the GTM strategy and product roadmap, requiring strong operational understanding of how design impacts revenue and user acquisition/retention.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in UX and product design, with a proven track record of leading design initiatives.

Required Skills:

• UX Strategy & Systems Thinking: Proven ability to develop comprehensive UX strategies and apply systems thinking to complex product ecosystems.

• Design Excellence: Relentlessly high standards for user experience, visual design, and interaction design across digital products.

• Problem Solving: Exceptional critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities to tackle ambiguous and complex design challenges.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong ability to collaborate effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, Research, and Marketing teams.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven skill in communicating design solutions persuasively to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.

• Design Tools Proficiency: Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft 365, and Jira.

• Prototyping & Motion Graphics: Solid experience in UX/prototyping development and a strong understanding of motion graphics best practices.

• Platform Knowledge: Deep understanding of cross-platform usability standards and UI specifications, with specific experience designing for platforms like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TV, and Comcast's X1.

• International & Accessibility Design: Experience designing for diverse international audiences and a strong understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with generative AI applications in design and content discovery.

• Familiarity with data analysis tools and methodologies to inform design decisions.

• Understanding of A/B testing methodologies and their application in UX optimization.

• Experience in the media, entertainment, or streaming industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "10 or more years of relevant work experience" and "proven experience as a design leader" positions this as a senior, strategic role. The specific mention of platforms like Roku, Fire TV, and X1 indicates a need for practical operational knowledge of how designs are implemented and experienced across various consumer touchpoints, crucial for GTM success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase end-to-end design ownership for complex content discovery initiatives, demonstrating problem definition, user research integration, iterative design processes, and final outcomes.

• Strategic Impact: Clearly articulate the business impact and user value of your design solutions, with a focus on metrics related to engagement, retention, and user satisfaction.

• Systems Thinking: Provide examples that illustrate your ability to design for interconnected systems and understand how different components of a discovery experience work together.

• Cross-Platform Design: Include examples of designs adapted for various platforms (web, mobile, smart TV apps), highlighting an understanding of platform-specific constraints and best practices.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Showcase instances where you've explored innovative solutions, such as AI-driven features or new interface paradigms, and how you've approached experimentation.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to map out and optimize complex user flows for content discovery, search, and recommendation systems.

• Iterative Design & Testing: Provide evidence of how you've used user feedback, data analysis, and A/B testing to iterate on and improve designs.

• Cross-Functional Process Integration: Illustrate your experience working within agile or iterative development cycles, collaborating with engineering and product teams to bring designs to life efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal Designer role, a portfolio is not just about aesthetics but about demonstrating strategic thinking, process mastery, and measurable impact. The emphasis on "end-to-end ownership," "business impact," and "systems thinking" aligns with the operational demands of driving successful GTM strategies in a complex media landscape.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $225,000 USD per year (bonus and long-term incentive eligible).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Leave.

• Tuition Reimbursement program.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility typically expected for a Principal-level role and in a fast-paced environment. The hybrid model requires a minimum of 4 days per week in the New York office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Principal-level design role in a major metropolitan area like New York City, especially within a large media conglomerate like NBCUniversal. The inclusion of bonus and long-term incentives signifies a performance-driven compensation structure, common for senior GTM and product roles. The "hybrid" designation with specific office days is a key operational detail for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media and Entertainment, Streaming Services, Technology. NBCUniversal is a major player in content creation, distribution, and experience delivery, with a significant focus on digital platforms like Peacock.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (as part of Comcast Corporation). This implies robust resources, established processes, and a wide reach.

Founded: NBCUniversal was formed in 2004 through the merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment; it is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. This long history provides a foundation of industry expertise and market presence.

Team Structure:

• Media Group Portfolio: The role sits within the Media Group, which encompasses a dynamic portfolio of brands including Peacock, NOW, Fandango, SkyShowtime, and Showmax.

• Product Design Team: You will be part of a dedicated Product Design team focused on content discovery, working closely with Product Management, Engineering, Data, and Research.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect to work extensively with various departments to define, design, and launch features, aligning with broader GTM strategies. This includes close partnership with teams responsible for content acquisition, marketing, and platform operations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The team emphasizes using data and consumer insights to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Iterative Development: A fast-paced, iterative approach is core, leveraging experimentation and continuous feedback loops.

• User-Centricity: The primary focus is on creating seamless, elegant, and highly usable experiences that delight viewers and drive engagement.

• Innovation Focus: Bold experimentation, including the exploration of generative AI and next-gen mobile experiences, is encouraged to redefine content discovery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding NBCUniversal's scale and its position within the media landscape is crucial. The "Media Group portfolio" indicates a broad scope of influence, and the emphasis on "bold experimentation" and "generative AI" points to a forward-thinking approach to GTM and product development in the competitive streaming market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal Designer. This is a senior leadership role within the design function, implying significant autonomy, strategic influence, and responsibility for mentoring others. It sits at the top tier of individual contributor design roles, often a precursor to management or principal architect positions.

Reporting Structure: While the exact reporting line isn't specified, Principal Designers typically report to a Director or VP of Design or Product. They will work closely with Product Leads, Engineering Managers, and potentially GTM strategists.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on revenue and user engagement by optimizing how users discover and consume content on platforms like Peacock. Effective content discovery is critical for viewer retention, subscription renewals, and overall platform success. The designs directly influence user behavior and, consequently, the company's bottom line.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior staff, and potentially transition into design management or principal architect roles.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge areas like AI in design, personalized user experiences, and complex cross-platform design systems.

• Industry Exposure: Gain extensive experience within the dynamic media and entertainment industry, working with diverse brands and global audiences.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute significantly to the product roadmap and GTM strategy of major streaming platforms, shaping the future of content discovery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title signifies a role with substantial growth potential, not just in design execution but in strategic product leadership and operational impact within the GTM framework. The focus on user engagement and content discovery directly links design work to core business objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a blend of remote work flexibility and in-office collaboration, with a requirement to be present at the 30 Rockefeller Plaza office in New York a minimum of four days per week.

Office Location(s): 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY. This iconic location offers a vibrant urban work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely fosters collaboration, brainstorming, and team synergy, essential for a design team working on complex GTM initiatives.

• Access to Resources: As a major media company, expect access to cutting-edge technology, design tools, and internal resources to support innovative work.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The hybrid model facilitates in-person interactions with Product Managers, Engineers, Data Scientists, and other key stakeholders, crucial for aligning on GTM strategies and design execution.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, but the nature of a Principal role and the fast-paced media industry may necessitate flexibility. The hybrid arrangement requires predictable in-office presence for team collaboration and strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature with a specific office requirement is a key operational detail. It suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration for strategic discussions and team building, balanced with the flexibility of remote work. This is important for candidates to consider in terms of their daily work structure and GTM team integration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess general fit, experience, and interest in the role and NBCUniversal's Media Group.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your strategic thinking, design process, and impact on user experience and business goals. Expect to discuss your role, challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• Design/Product Deep Dive: Interviews with other designers and product managers to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, systems thinking, and understanding of UX principles in the context of content discovery.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Discussions with Engineering, Data, and Research leads to evaluate your collaboration skills, ability to translate technical constraints into design solutions, and understanding of data-informed design.

• Leadership/Stakeholder Interview: A final interview, potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Director/VP of Design), to assess strategic vision, leadership potential, cultural fit, and ability to drive alignment across the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategy & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, your specific contributions, the design decisions made, and the measurable impact (e.g., engagement, conversion, retention metrics).

• Showcase Process: Detail your design process, including how you incorporated user research, data insights, and cross-functional feedback. Highlight your ability to translate ambiguous problems into clear solutions.

• Tailor to Content Discovery: Select projects most relevant to content discovery, search, personalization, and streaming platforms. If you have direct experience with AI in design, highlight it.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples where you've led initiatives, mentored others, or influenced product direction.

• Platform Specificity: If possible, include examples of designs for smart TV or mobile platforms, demonstrating an understanding of their unique UX paradigms.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on a content discovery problem. This will likely involve defining the problem, sketching solutions, and presenting your rationale.

• Stakeholder Scenario: Practice articulating your design vision and decisions to different stakeholder groups (e.g., business, technical), anticipating their questions and concerns.

• Data Interpretation: Be ready to discuss how you would use data to inform design decisions for content discovery features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design skills but also their strategic thinking, problem-solving methodologies, and ability to deliver tangible business results in a GTM context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Likely used for visual design, image editing, and potentially motion graphics (After Effects).

• Microsoft 365: Standard for documentation, presentations, and communication (Word, PowerPoint, Teams).

• Jira: Crucial for project management, task tracking, and agile development workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Platforms: While specific tools aren't listed, expect to work with data from platforms that track user behavior, content consumption, search queries, and conversion funnels. Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Looker, or internal analytics dashboards would be beneficial.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with platforms for conducting and analyzing A/B tests to optimize discovery features.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role: While CRM and automation tools are vital for sales and marketing operations, this design role focuses more on user-facing product features and the tools that support design and product development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Suite, and Jira is a must. The mention of "data" and "consumer's voice" implies a need to work with analytics, so any experience with data visualization or analysis tools will be a plus. Understanding how designs integrate into engineering workflows (via Jira) and influence user engagement metrics is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A core value is maintaining relentlessly high standards in all aspects of UX and product design.

• Consumer-First: A deep commitment to crafting seamless, elegant, and highly usable experiences that delight viewers.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement of bold ideas and exploration of new technologies like generative AI to push the boundaries of content discovery.

• Collaboration & Respect: A culture that embraces authenticity, fosters collaboration, and inspires individuals to thrive.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilizing data and consumer insights to guide design strategy and measure impact.

• Ownership & Drive: A "scrappy, driven" approach, taking natural ownership of both big ideas and practical daily output.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Close collaboration with Product, Engineering, Data, and Research is fundamental to translating insights into successful product features.

• Iterative & Agile: Work within a fast-paced, iterative environment, with frequent feedback loops and adjustments.

• Mentorship & Growth: A culture that supports learning, talent development, and the sharing of knowledge among designers.

• Fact-Based Discourse: Engaging in constructive, fact-based discussions to refine designs and strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a balance of creative innovation and rigorous execution, driven by user insights and business objectives. This is critical for a role that bridges design, product strategy, and GTM execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Developing cutting-edge features (like AI search) while ensuring they are robust, scalable, and performant across diverse platforms and global markets.

• Aligning Diverse Stakeholders: Managing the expectations and priorities of various teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Executives) with potentially competing interests.

• Defining Ambiguous Problems: Translating broad strategic goals or nascent technologies into concrete, actionable design solutions.

• Measuring Impact of Discovery: Quantifying the direct impact of content discovery improvements on user engagement, retention, and revenue in a complex media ecosystem.

• Adapting to Evolving Technology: Staying ahead of rapid advancements in AI, streaming technology, and user behavior.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design: Deepen expertise in applying generative AI and other advanced technologies to enhance user experiences.

• Global Product Strategy: Gain insights into designing for international audiences and navigating diverse market needs.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by guiding design projects and mentoring junior designers.

• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of trends in the media, entertainment, and streaming industries.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborate closely with data scientists, engineers, and product managers, broadening understanding of different functional areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic and operational complexities of working in a leading streaming service. The growth opportunities are significant for a senior designer looking to expand their influence beyond pure execution into strategic leadership and cutting-edge technology application within a GTM context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated an ambiguous problem into a clear design strategy for a complex feature. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your structured approach, problem decomposition, and impact).

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered content discovery feature for a streaming platform like Peacock? What are the key considerations for user trust and experience?" (Demonstrate understanding of AI ethics, user expectations, and iterative design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about NBCUniversal's Media Group and the challenge of content discovery on platforms like Peacock?" (Show your research and genuine interest).

• "How do you approach mentoring and leading other designers? Describe a situation where you provided creative direction or helped a team member grow." (Illustrate your leadership and team-building capabilities).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure each case study with a clear beginning (problem/goal), middle (process/solution), and end (outcome/impact).

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss potential impact and how you would measure it.

• Highlight Your Role: Be explicit about your specific contributions, especially in team projects.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Explain why you made certain design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business objectives, and GTM considerations.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of how design directly impacts business outcomes and user engagement in a GTM context. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Designer, Content Discovery position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to content discovery, streaming platforms, and complex UX challenges. Emphasize case studies demonstrating strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership, and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of experience, leadership roles, proficiency in key design tools (Figma, Adobe Suite, Jira), and experience with cross-platform design and user-centric strategies. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design process, and answering strategy-based questions. Prepare to discuss your experience with AI, personalization, and data-driven design.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research NBCUniversal's Media Group, Peacock, and the broader streaming landscape. Understand their competitive position, recent product developments, and company values to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.

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