Senior Creative Design Manager

Overall Purpose of the Role 

To lead a team of lead creatives and designers to develop design elements and art that extend the story of the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucas and 20CS brands for the EMEA DCP business. Utilizing key business strategies for each franchise, develop valuable, targeted art that articulates the direction defined through the consumer lens on a global scale.  

Deliver on the vision and art direction as set by the Creative Director through creation of style guides, bespoke art and presentations for product development, pitching and executing with an eye towards innovation, market trends and relevancy for all consumer demos. In addition, drive the creation of bespoke assets for regional direct retail, key accounts and licensees.  

This is a full-time role is based out of London office in Hammersmith, 4 days a week.

Areas of Responsibility

• Support the Creative Director to develop and implement a clear vision and strategy for creative across EMEA
• Develop, lead and oversee graphic design, style guides and portfolios for DCP EMEA on global co-brands, franchises and partnerships
• Lead a creative team, from idea generation through to consumer trend-right, art direction and design for both licensed, Disney-owned products and operated businesses across EMEA
• Conceive and implement regional and global creative concepts and guidelines
• Lead a team that focuses on the creative deliverables for EMEA accounts and brands working closely with regional and global DCP counterparts
• With an EMEA focus, support the global DCP creative teams, contributing to new product ideas, leading and participating in brainstorming sessions
• Understand and implement consumer and design trends to create world-class creative solutions
• Nurture an inclusive, dynamic creative culture that encourages calculated risk-taking and challenges the status quo to drive experiential retail design across the business
• Embrace new software and tools within an evolving creative industry
• Leverage ideas, assets and content across EMEA and globally whilst sharing best practices and driving efficiencies, making use of tools, resources and processes that enable team members to deliver their objectives
• Efficiently produce engaging presentations to showcase creative ideation
• Confidently present creative concepts on both formal and informal settings to senior stakeholders, both internal and externally
• Champion creative, character and brand integrity at all stages whilst advocating for creative excellence 

Training and Professional Development

• Operate with integrity, champion change and be a good ambassador for The Walt Disney Company (TWDC)Operate as part of an effective and inclusive team by demonstrating an awareness of others; welcoming and valuing unique perspectives and ideas; offering support, sharing knowledge and best practices in order to contribute to overall departmental commitments
• Take ownership of the team’s professional development through regular career conversations utilising available resources such as D Learn, instructor-led courses and on the job learning as well as embracing new software with self learning
• Proactively suggest ways to improve departmental performance and processes, leveraging technological tools where applicable
• Build relationships and links with other TWDC functions to develop broader knowledge of the business
• Promote and maintain an inclusive workplace, championing diversity and inclusion and make use of available resources to extend knowledge and best practice
• Manage the training and development of all direct reports ensuring commitments are set, regularly reviewed and feedback given using the D Achieve philosophy, where applicable
• Contribute to maintaining and enhancing the standard of training and development, encouraging participation so that everyone has the tools and resources to do their role effectively and efficiently

Areas of Accountability

• Accountable to the Creative Director
• Accountable for developing, leading and overseeing graphic design, art, style guides and portfolios for DCP Global Creative Team, EMEA for brands, franchises and partnerships
• Accountable for effective management of and leading a creative team to success, ensuring brand integrity is upheld and protected
• Accountable for cultivating and maintaining productive relationships and collaborating across departments internally and externally to drive efficiencies and share best practices 

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

• Degree-level education in Art and Design or Fashion Design and/or equivalent work experience
• Proven work experience in graphic design, art or merchandise design with extensive knowledge of graphic design and branding
• Proven experience of building effective relationships and managing stakeholders within a large, multi-national, matrix organisation
• Experience of working with global non-Disney brands in an international environment
• Proven experience translating graphic IP into commercial product
• Proven experience of managing and leading a creative team
• Practical knowledge and experience of the consumer product lifecycle from concept to on-shelf 

Skills Required

• Ability to clearly communicate, present, and sell creative ideas both in formal and informal settings
• Ability to direct and positively influence and inspire a team to work towards a common goal
• Strategic and creative thinker with world-class design aesthetic
• Ability to deliver high-end partner-facing presentations with confidence to external partners in high-pressure environments
• Exceptional planning and organisation skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to drive fresh creative and distil diverse points of view and opinions
• Resilient and adaptable with an ability to maintain perspective in an ever-changing landscape
• High-level of graphic design skills and knowledge  of how it translates to the product life-cycle
• Results-oriented, keen to challenge status quo, introduce new business practices
• Cultural sensitivity 

Additional Information

• Flexibility for occasional UK, European or international travel may be required
• Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires
• Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs 

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.