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Senior Design Manager

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior & Expert Level
  • Design
  • London

AI generated summary

  • You need a degree in product design, experience in consumer products, strong leadership and design skills, CAD proficiency, trend knowledge, and ability to connect with diverse markets.
  • You will lead a design team, create high-quality product designs, inspire storytelling, track fashion trends, collaborate with partners, and drive business growth across diverse categories.

Requirements

  • Degree in product design or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience in consumer products commercialization and hands-on design for fashion, home, and lifestyle industries.
  • Proven leadership of a diverse, multi-skilled design team.
  • Ability to design for various consumer demographics and categories.
  • Expertise in licensed product design, storytelling, and interpreting global trends.
  • Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and communication skills.
  • Inspirational leadership and team development abilities.
  • Proficiency in CAD drawing, design software, and Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent hands-on design, conceptual skills, and understanding of fabric, color, and product design.
  • Advanced knowledge of industry trends and manufacturing processes.
  • Strong presentation skills and proficiency in English; other European languages are a plus.
  • Strong influencing, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Ability to translate trends into growth opportunities for Disney.
  • Cultural sensitivity and understanding of EMEA markets.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage a diverse and talented design team, recognizing individual strengths and areas for growth.
  • Lead the team to deliver high-quality designs across various product categories (e.g., Womenswear, Menswear, Childrenswear, Lifestyle).
  • Ensure world-class design delivery, including hands-on design work as needed.
  • Inspire the team to integrate storytelling into Disney asset visualization and product design.
  • Stay updated on global fashion trends to create consumer-ready designs that reflect the retail market.
  • Generate unique product inspiration and support franchise strategies to drive commercial goals.
  • Collaborate with commercial partners to prioritize and achieve business objectives.
  • Maintain strong communication with UK DTR accounts to meet retailer needs and share best practices.
  • Leverage global strategic brand pillars to identify new product opportunities and produce conceptual designs.
  • Deliver impactful creative pitches tailored to DTR partners.
  • Align teams, policies, and processes across EMEA to enhance regional creativity and innovation.
  • Understand EMEA market specifics to elevate product design and drive business growth.
  • Coordinate trend and design workshops, providing creative support to explore new categories.
  • Identify creative opportunities to unlock new business and gain efficiencies.
  • Advise on seasonal style guides and collaborate with franchise leads to stay updated on activities.
  • Offer creative input to inspire licensees/retailers and ensure quality product delivery.
  • Work with Senior Product Design and Development Managers to deliver commercially viable products.

FAQs

What are the main responsibilities of the Senior Design Manager?

The Senior Design Manager will develop and manage a diverse design team, lead high-quality design delivery across various product categories, inspire storytelling in design, stay updated on fashion trends, collaborate with commercial partners, and deliver impactful creative pitches, among others.

Where is the Senior Design Manager position based?

This role is based at our London office in Hammersmith, requiring you to be in the office four days a week.

What qualifications are required for the Senior Design Manager position?

A degree in product design or a related field, experience in consumer products commercialization and hands-on design for fashion, home, and lifestyle industries, and proven leadership of a diverse design team are required.

Are there any preferred skills for this position?

Yes, preferred skills include proficiency in CAD drawing and design software, excellent presentation skills, cultural sensitivity regarding EMEA markets, and the ability to translate trends into growth opportunities for Disney.

What are the key qualities we are looking for in a candidate?

We are looking for inspirational leadership abilities, strong relationship-building and communication skills, organizational and time management skills, and expertise in licensed product design and storytelling.

What benefits are offered to the Senior Design Manager?

Benefits include 25 days of annual leave, private medical insurance and dental care, free park entry for employees and their families, Disney discounts, excellent parental and guardian leave, and participation in Employee Resource Groups.

How does Disney promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Disney strives to form a diverse workforce representative of its audiences and is committed to creating an inclusive team that respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Is hands-on design work required in this role?

Yes, the role requires ensuring world-class design delivery, which includes hands-on design work as needed.

How does the Senior Design Manager contribute to business growth?

The Senior Design Manager will leverage global strategic brand pillars, identify new product opportunities, and coordinate trend workshops to unlock new business potential and drive efficiencies.

Entertainment & Media
Industry
10,001+
Employees

Mission & Purpose

From classic animated features and exhilarating theme park attractions to cutting edge sports coverage, and the hottest shows on television, The Walt Disney Company has been making magic since 1923, creating unforgettable stories that connect with audiences around the world. And we’re just getting started! The key to our success…. The Cast, Crew, Imagineers and Employees who honor Disney’s rich legacy by stretching the bounds of imagination to create the never-before-seen, bringing unparalleled entertainment experiences to people of all ages. Begin a career that delivers unparalleled creative content and experiences to audiences around the world and just imagine the stories you could be part of… What is #LifeAtDisney like? It’s a series of magical moments with cast members and employees developing and telling our stories in the most innovative ways. Whether it’s a day spent as a Disney VoluntEAR, or celebrating the release of a new interactive experience, retail product or movie, our days are filled with the knowledge that we are creating entertainment experiences the whole family can enjoy. Follow @DisneyCareers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a peek behind-the-curtain, and discover how you could connect to a world of stories with Disney!