Lead Creative Designer

Purpose of the Role

Reporting to the Director, Creative, the Lead Designer plays a key role in driving high‑quality creative execution across graphic design, brand systems, and marketing creative. This role supports complex projects and initiatives, translates creative vision into impactful design solutions, and contributes to the evolution of creative standards and ways of working across the team.

The Lead Creative Designer balances strong hands‑on design craft with project leadership, collaboration, and mentorship. This role supports broader business and product initiatives while ensuring creative work is aligned, scalable, and executed with excellence.

What You Will Do:

Creative & Design Leadership

• Manage high‑level, complex design projects from concept through execution across multiple platforms, categories, and markets.
• Translate creative direction and briefs into cohesive visual systems, brand expressions, and design solutions.
• Operate as a hands‑on designer, producing work that demonstrates strong craft, clarity of thinking, and attention to detail.
• Apply judgment to balance creative ambition with project requirements, timelines, and partner needs.

Project Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a creative lead on assigned initiatives, coordinating design efforts and supporting alignment across stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Franchise, Product, Retail, and Commercial partners to deliver integrated creative solutions.
• Provide clear creative guidance and feedback to designers and cross‑functional partners to ensure consistency and quality.
• Support efficient workflows by clarifying scope, success criteria, and expectations at the outset of projects.

Cultural Fluency & Creative Insight

• Stay informed on design trends, cultural signals, and industry best practices relevant to consumer products, entertainment, and lifestyle.
• Apply trend awareness thoughtfully to ensure creative output feels relevant and audience‑appropriate.
• Contribute ideas and perspectives that help elevate creative thinking while remaining grounded in brand and business context.

Communication & Presentation

• Present creative concepts, design rationale, and work‑in‑progress clearly and confidently to internal partners.
• Develop presentation materials that effectively communicate creative intent and design decisions.
• Adapt communication style to suit a range of audiences and project needs.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 5 years of progressive experience in graphic design or closely related creative disciplines.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating high‑quality, multi‑channel creative work and design systems.
• Proven ability to lead complex design projects and work independently with minimal guidance.
• Demonstrated strength in visual design, typography, composition, and storytelling.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills within cross‑functional environments.
• Comfort operating in fast‑paced environments with multiple priorities and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience within consumer products, entertainment, fashion/lifestyle, or retail environments.
• Familiarity working with licensing partners and external agencies.
• Understanding of commercial considerations that influence creative development.

Additional Information:

• Application must include a portfolio showcasing designs and fashion projects. Please share or disable any passwords for efficient review of portfolios.

Our Benefits: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $$115,500-$154,800.per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.