Sr. Designer, Toys

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Universal Products & Experiences Overview:

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and 3rd party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s three lines of business include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, as well as Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

Universal Products & Experiences is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague.

It is the policy of NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal's affiliated businesses to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Job Description

Summary:

Universal Products & Experiences is looking for a creative and detail-oriented Sr Designer to join our Toys & Hardlines team. In this role, you’ll help shape the future of our products by ensuring design excellence, guiding product development and collaborating with top-tier partners across the industry.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Salary range: $80,000 - $100,000

Qualifications

Design & Development

• Oversee product approvals and provide timely, actionable feedback to licensees.
• Deliver accurate design input and overlays aligned with property guidelines and priorities.
• Serve as the design expert for assigned categories, materials, technology, and 2D/3D execution.
• Create mood boards and concept sketches for presentations.
• Research trends, innovations, and consumer insights to inspire new ideas.
• Participate in all key design and development meetings.
• Develop new product ideas and turn them into marketable lines.
• Understand basic packaging structure, branding elements, and toy functionality.
• Share detailed meeting recaps and action steps with management.
• Ensure brand consistency while driving creative innovation in product development

Design Strategy

• Work with team to identify growth opportunities in market
• Conceptualize designs to support business strategies
• Spot emerging trends and innovations across product categories.
• Understand competitive market and consumer target
• Build clear, polished design strategy presentations for internal mtgs.

Licensing Expertise

• Understand the licensed entertainment and consumer products landscape.
• Ensure brand consistency across licensed characters, storytelling, and asset/toolkit delivery.
• Design and deliver show-to-shelf results
• Communicate effectively and manage meetings and deadlines with licensees

Collaboration & Communication

• Understands and communicates strategically to team and partners
• Collaborate and maintain clear, consistent communication with Licensees
• Align with Category, Franchise, Legal and Retail teams throughout development process
• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in licensing, manufacturing, or consumer product design.
• Strong traditional and digital hand-drawing skills, with a focus on figures and vehicles.
• Proactive mindset to drive results
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with licensed entertainment products
• Strong understanding of product development and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent illustration and design skills.
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and working knowledge of InDesign, Keynote, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Strong grasp of 2D composition and 3D form factors.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident in advocating for design decisions and collaborating toward shared goals.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial design, Toy Design, Illustration, or a related field.

Additional Requirements:

• Travel may be required
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the needs of the team
• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.