Product Designer, Sports Content Experience

NBCUniversal
Full_timeβ€’$120k-165k/year (USD)β€’New York, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, Sports Content Experience Company: NBCUniversal Location: New York, New York, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: September 12, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Drive the end-to-end product design process for the sports content experience on Peacock, focusing on user needs and platform enhancement.
  • Collaborate closely with product managers, UX researchers, engineers, and data scientists to deliver innovative features and improve user journeys.
  • Contribute to the evolution of design systems and ensure adherence to brand guidelines across multiple platforms (TV, web, mobile).
  • Champion design priorities within the product roadmap, advocating for user experience improvements and strategic product thinking.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is situated within NBCUniversal's Global Streaming Platform, specifically focusing on the Peacock viewing experience. The emphasis on "Sports Content Experience" indicates a need for designers who understand how to present live and on-demand sports content, including features related to player stats, game schedules, highlights, and interactive elements. The "playback" and "continuous discovery" aspects suggest a focus on optimizing the core video viewing experience and helping users find new content.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Execute the full design process, encompassing user research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and detailed design documentation for sports, gaming, and playback features.
  • Partner with product managers to align on strategic goals for content discovery, playback optimization, and interactive experiences within the sports vertical.
  • Collaborate with senior and principal designers to refine the content experience, introduce new functionalities, and ensure a seamless, intuitive user journey across all touchpoints.
  • Actively participate in cross-functional team meetings, providing design expertise and advocating for user-centric solutions in product roadmap discussions.
  • Work with the design systems team to apply and evolve the Peacock design language, ensuring consistency and scalability of UI components and patterns.
  • Leverage data and insights from user research and analytics teams to inform and validate design decisions, driving continuous improvement.
  • Ensure feasibility and maintain design integrity by collaborating closely with remote engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Contribute to and foster a positive, inclusive design culture within the Viewing Product team and across Peacock.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate independently on specific features while also contributing to the broader platform strategy. The emphasis on "supporting end-to-end design work" implies ownership from ideation through to implementation, requiring strong collaboration with engineering and product management. The mention of "optimizing across multiple platforms" indicates a need for a designer experienced in responsive design principles and platform-specific best practices.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with a specialization or strong focus in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant portion dedicated to consumer-facing digital products, particularly within media streaming or content-rich platforms.
  • Demonstrated experience in visual design, interaction design, and strategic product thinking, evidenced by a robust portfolio.
  • Proven ability to conduct user testing and effectively utilize design validation processes to inform iterative design improvements.

Required Skills:

  • Portfolio: A strong, well-curated portfolio showcasing a history of effective UX and UI decision-making, problem-solving, and successful product launches.
  • Design Tools: Fluency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Principle.
  • User-Centered Design: Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design principles, with a strong emphasis on empathy for the user.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
  • Platform Design: Experience designing for multiple digital platforms, with a particular advantage given to candidates with expertise in TV-based user experiences, mobile applications, and desktop web interfaces.

Preferred Skills:

  • Sports/Entertainment Domain: Familiarity with or passion for sports content, live streaming, and the entertainment industry.
  • Specific Platforms: Experience designing for platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Xfinity X1, and voice-enabled devices.
  • Accessibility & Internationalization: Experience designing for accessibility standards (WCAG) and considering the nuances of international audiences.
  • Design Systems: Experience contributing to or working within established design systems.
  • Data-Informed Design: Ability to interpret user data and analytics to drive design decisions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The "Mid-Level" designation (implied by 3+ years of experience) suggests the candidate will be expected to contribute significantly to projects and potentially mentor junior designers. The emphasis on "passion for creating usable, innovative products" and "appreciation for design thinking/sprints" indicates a preference for candidates who are proactive, collaborative, and embrace agile methodologies.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 comprehensive case studies detailing your design process from problem definition to final solution, highlighting your role and contributions.
  • Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how you approach complex user problems, particularly within content consumption or streaming contexts.
  • UX/UI Showcase: Clearly present wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, explaining the rationale behind your choices.
  • Impact & Iteration: Include examples of how your designs have positively impacted user behavior, engagement, or business metrics, and describe any iterative improvements made post-launch.
  • Tool Proficiency: Visually demonstrate your command of design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Principle) within your case studies.

Process Documentation:

  • User Journey Mapping: Provide examples of user journey maps or user flow diagrams you have created to understand and optimize user interactions.
  • Wireframing & Prototyping: Illustrate your ability to create low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts.
  • User Testing & Validation: Detail your process for conducting user testing, gathering feedback, and iterating on designs based on research findings.
  • Design System Application: Showcase how you have applied or contributed to design systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency in your work.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Given the focus on a "Content Experience" and the "Sports" vertical, a strong portfolio should ideally include examples of designing for rich media, dynamic content feeds, live event interfaces, or personalized content recommendations. Demonstrating an understanding of how to balance user experience with business goals (e.g., monetization, engagement) will be crucial.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $165,000 USD per year (bonus and long-term incentive eligible).

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance coverage.
  • Retirement savings plan with 401(k) options.
  • Generous Paid Leave policies.
  • Support for continuous learning through Tuition Reimbursement.
  • Access to various employee discounts and perks.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time work week, typically around 40 hours. While the role is on-site, NBCUniversal often fosters a supportive environment for work-life balance, though project deadlines may require flexibility.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Product Designer with 3+ years of experience in a major metropolitan area like New York City. The "bonus and long-term incentive eligible" indicates potential for additional compensation tied to company and individual performance, common in media and entertainment organizations. Benefits are standard for a large corporation, offering a comprehensive package for employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, Streaming Services, Technology. NBCUniversal is a major player in global media, with a significant and growing presence in the digital streaming space through Peacock. This industry context implies a fast-paced, innovative, and competitive environment. Company Size: NBCUniversal is a large, established corporation, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. This means access to extensive resources, established processes, and a wide network of professionals, but also potentially a more structured hierarchy. Founded: NBCUniversal's history spans many decades through its various legacy companies (NBC, Universal Pictures, etc.), with significant modernizations and integrations occurring under Comcast ownership. The company's ongoing evolution in streaming signifies a forward-looking approach.

Team Structure:

  • The Viewing Product team is a cross-functional unit comprising Product Managers, UX Researchers, UX Designers (including this role), Product Engineers, and Data Scientists.
  • This role reports into the broader Viewing Product Design group, likely with a direct manager who oversees design efforts for specific product areas.
  • Collaboration is expected with various internal teams, including content acquisition, marketing, data analytics, and platform engineering, as well as potentially external partners.

Methodology:

  • The team operates within a fast-paced, high-performance culture, emphasizing innovation and continuous improvement in consumer experience.
  • Design decisions are informed by user research, data analysis, and A/B testing, reflecting a data-driven approach to product development.
  • Agile methodologies are likely employed, with an emphasis on iterative design, rapid prototyping, and close collaboration with engineering.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: As part of a large media conglomerate, NBCUniversal's culture likely blends the dynamism of a tech-driven streaming service with the established practices of a major entertainment company. Understanding the company's commitment to innovation in the streaming space, particularly with Peacock's growth, will be key for a candidate.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Product Designer" role is positioned at a mid-level, typically requiring 3-5 years of relevant experience. It signifies an individual contributor role with significant responsibility for specific features or product areas.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Manager within the Viewing Product organization. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers who own the product strategy and roadmap for their respective areas (e.g., Sports, Playback).

Operations Impact: The designer's work will directly influence the user experience of millions of Peacock viewers, impacting engagement, retention, and satisfaction. By optimizing content discovery and playback, the designer will play a crucial role in driving the success of Peacock's sports offerings, a key strategic pillar for the platform.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in sports content design, live streaming UX, or advanced interaction design patterns.
  • Senior/Principal Designer Track: Potential to progress to senior or principal designer roles, taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, and mentoring junior team members.
  • Cross-Platform Expertise: Develop comprehensive experience across various device ecosystems (TV, mobile, web), enhancing versatility.
  • Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and leadership qualities, opportunities may arise for design lead or management positions within the product organization.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a major media company. The focus on a high-demand area like sports streaming means that successful designers can gain valuable experience and visibility, potentially leading to advancement opportunities within NBCUniversal's broader media and technology portfolio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role at NBCUniversal's New York City headquarters (30 Rockefeller Plaza), a prestigious and well-equipped corporate environment.

Office Location(s): 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112-0002. This iconic location offers convenient access to public transportation and is situated in the heart of Manhattan.

Workspace Context:

  • The workspace is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, likely featuring open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated design spaces.
  • Access to state-of-the-art design tools and technology is expected.
  • Opportunities for direct interaction and brainstorming with cross-functional team members (PMs, engineers, researchers) will be frequent, facilitating a dynamic and integrated workflow.

Work Schedule:

  • The standard work schedule is full-time, generally adhering to business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM or similar) with a typical 40-hour work week. While on-site, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines, but the emphasis is on professional growth and work-life balance within a corporate setting.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Working at 30 Rockefeller Plaza provides a unique opportunity to be part of a historic media hub. The on-site requirement emphasizes the value NBCUniversal places on in-person collaboration, team synergy, and direct mentorship within its design teams.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and fit.
  • Portfolio Presentation & Interview: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, key projects, and problem-solving approaches. This will be followed by behavioral and situational questions.
  • Design Challenge: A practical design exercise or case study may be assigned to evaluate problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate design rationale under pressure.
  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
  • Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership or the hiring manager to finalize the decision, focusing on overall fit, strategic thinking, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives for each project, clearly outlining the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the outcome.
  • Process Emphasis: Go beyond final visuals; showcase your thought process, research methodologies, wireframes, user flows, and iterations. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
  • Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the impact of your designs.
  • Tailor to Role: Highlight projects most relevant to content experiences, streaming, sports, or complex digital platforms.
  • Clarity & Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly articulates your skills and experience.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the User: For any design challenge, focus on identifying the target user and their needs first.
  • Define the Problem: Clearly articulate the problem you are trying to solve and the constraints.
  • Process Articulation: Be prepared to walk through your design process, from ideation to potential solutions, even if time is limited.
  • Justify Decisions: Explain the rationale behind your design choices, linking them back to user needs and business goals.
  • Consider Multiple Platforms: If the challenge is broad, think about how your solution might adapt across different devices.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Given the "Sports Content Experience" focus, be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing for live events, real-time data, interactive fan engagement, or personalized sports content discovery. Demonstrating an understanding of user needs specific to sports viewers will be a significant advantage.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Principle (required). Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) may also be utilized.
  • Collaboration & Documentation: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Miro (or similar whiteboarding/collaboration tools).
  • User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal research platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Familiarity with analytics tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or Mixpanel is beneficial for understanding user behavior and informing design decisions.
  • Experience with A/B testing platforms to measure the impact of design changes.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how design impacts engagement within the customer lifecycle is valuable.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is increasingly becoming the industry standard for collaborative design. Demonstrating experience with tools that facilitate rapid prototyping and user feedback loops will be highly valued.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experience.
  • Collaboration: A culture of teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect across all disciplines.
  • Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the pursuit of novel solutions to enhance the streaming experience.
  • Data-Driven: Utilizing data and insights to inform design decisions and measure impact.
  • Excellence: Striving for high-quality design outcomes and continuous improvement in craft and process.

Collaboration Style:

  • The Viewing Product team operates with a highly collaborative and integrated approach, valuing input from all team members.
  • Expect regular design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional syncs to ensure alignment and shared understanding.
  • A culture of constructive feedback is encouraged to foster growth and elevate the quality of work.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: NBCUniversal's emphasis on "respect," "authenticity," and inspiring people to "thrive" suggests a culture that values individual contribution within a supportive team framework. Designers are expected to be proactive collaborators and effective communicators.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively integrating user desire for seamless, ad-free experiences with the business imperatives of monetization and growth for a streaming service.
  • Platform Complexity: Designing for a diverse range of devices and screen sizes, each with unique interaction patterns and technical constraints.
  • Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to evolving market trends and platform updates while maintaining design quality and consistency.
  • Remote Collaboration: Effectively partnering with remote engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation and maintain design integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Industry Expertise: Gain deep knowledge of the streaming media landscape, sports broadcasting, and digital content consumption patterns.
  • Advanced Design Techniques: Hone skills in areas like motion design, accessibility, and personalization within a large-scale product.
  • Cross-Functional Acumen: Develop a strong understanding of product management, engineering constraints, and data analytics.
  • Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from senior designers and leaders within a renowned media company.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for product designers in the rapidly evolving streaming industry. Success in this role will depend on a designer's ability to navigate these complexities, learn quickly, and contribute to solutions that drive both user satisfaction and business objectives.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex user problem for a digital product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving methodology and ability to distill complexity).
  • "How do you approach collaborating with engineers who are working remotely? How do you ensure your designs are implemented accurately?" (Highlight your communication skills, documentation practices, and understanding of technical feasibility).
  • "Walk me through a recent project where you used data or user research to inform a significant design decision." (Emphasize your data-driven approach and validation techniques).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about designing for sports content on Peacock, given the competitive streaming landscape?" (Show your understanding of the product, the market, and your passion for the domain).
  • "How do you contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture?" (Share examples of your collaborative behaviors and how you foster a supportive environment).
  • "How do you balance advocating for user needs with understanding business priorities and technical constraints?" (Demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to find win-win solutions).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Narrative Arc: For each case study, frame it as a story with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process, your role), and end (solution, impact).
  • Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals are clean, high-resolution, and effectively communicate your design solutions. Use annotations where necessary to explain key elements.
  • Concise Explanation: Be prepared to articulate your process and decisions concisely. Practice your talking points to stay within time limits.
  • Interactive Elements: If your portfolio includes interactive prototypes, be ready to demonstrate them smoothly.
  • Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges faced, and alternative solutions you considered.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the current sports streaming landscape, key players, and user expectations. Demonstrating an awareness of how Peacock differentiates itself or aims to do so will be beneficial.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the careers portal.
  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to content experience, sports, streaming platforms, and user-centric design. Emphasize your end-to-end process.
  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, key skills (UX/UI, prototyping, collaboration), and specific achievements relevant to product design. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio with a focus on your design process, problem-solving approach, and impact. Prepare answers for common behavioral and situational questions.
  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with NBCUniversal, Peacock's current offerings (especially sports content), and their recent product announcements or strategies. Understand their design philosophy and values.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a strong portfolio showcasing effective UX and UI decisions, along with 3 or more years of experience in product design. A BA/BFA with a design focus and fluency in design tools like Figma and Sketch are also required.