Design Manager - Burbank, United States - WARNERMEDIA

Description

Every great story has a new beginning, and yours starts here.

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are...

When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role...

This Manager position will drive creative strategy and execution for all product categories for the selected territory. They will review and manage all product submissions, evaluating them for Product Integrity, Brand Integrity, and Character Integrity – following all required BA and Franchise guidelines. The Manager must be able to work on multiple Creative and Product Development functions, including product design, graphic design, typography, trend research, pitches, and presentations, as well as creative tools to support licensees in their development.

The role liaises with Creative, Global PD, Licensees, Category, Retail and Franchise counterparts to drive cohesive, synergistic creative materials and strategies to support the brands. Designs presentations to assist in showing the direction of current and future trends for product and their applications. Owns the product development process from a product perspective to ensure property consistency and assists licensees on new and innovative ways to apply WBCP's assets on products.

Presents creative workshops on a regional level in partnership with Category for licensees. Creates pitch and POV boards for Licensees, Category and Retailers.

Reviews product featuring any Warner Bros. Discovery owned properties (includes Cartoon Network, DC Comics, TV properties as well as theatricals and the classic properties such as Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry) within a contractually stipulated time-frame in the following areas: Product Integrity, Brand Integrity and Character Integrity – following all required BA and Franchise guidelines for character likeness; legal copyright/trademark information; Warner Bros. Discovery policies and brand management as well as product development and product design.

Your Role Accountabilities...

Design & Trend Direction:

• Identifies and applies trend to product and understands how our franchises work within key market trends
• Translates our IP into market right graphic designs and product, while following franchise guidelines
• Manages and art directs outside agencies and freelancers when additional creative resources are involved, while keeping the regional creative lead informed
• Develops and designs Creative/Product Development POV (point of view) boards for top DTRs and licensees, interpreting trend information into salable design concepts, while reinforcing brand image and art application
• Follows established timelines/key dates for creative deliverables and adheres to strict production schedules when designing and managing in-house resources and vendors in the creation of all art
• Executes product development strategies, product design, print and pattern development, color, and typography
• Collaborates with Global Product Design teams when needed

Product Development:

• Represents WBCP PD department to licensees by conference call, presentations, office/plant visits and internal meetings for the purpose of reinforcing WBCP's creative brand standards on product. Reviews new products and suggests improvements in the design or application of art and design concepts.Provides creative input, direction and guidance to all licensees and sales Account Executives on all properties.
• Provides support on creative brainstorms to present new creative directions, trends and to help licensees in the creation of products in all categories
• Pro-actively evaluates licensee's schedules and manufacturing processes to facilitate their compliance with our product approval processes
• Participates in meetings with Category to train licensees and its product development teams on how to use art guides and design kits in order to maximize the use of all materials that are developed to support our properties
• Holistically manages product development efforts to ensure proper differentiation between licensees, retailers and franchises
• Works closely with category managers to produce fresh, compelling designs that meet the business needs / strategies
• Leads licensees to ensure product development strategy and timelines are met to support business strategy
• Collaborates with Global Product Design teams when needed

Product Approvals:

• Maintains all product feedback and approvals on schedule using the Starlabs Approval Platform which serves as a legal record of licensee's product submissions
• Follows up with licensees regarding merchandise development and production, as well as audits licensee compliance to Brand Assurance procedures
• Provides Starlabs training, on-boarding, and support to licensees
• Obtains all necessary third-party approvals from Global Franchise, Global Creative, Category, Regional Marketing, Senior Management, Legal, Talent to ensure proper feedback is communicated to licensees
• Performs Brand Assurance activities on Starlabs Approval Platform, with knowledge of the manufacturing process and a knowledge of Warner Bros Discovery policies and procedures; reviews and provides detailed comments on the concept, preproduction and final samples submitted by licensees on items including but not limited to product, packaging, commercials, POP and POS
• Obtains and fosters a one-on-one relationship with licensee counterpart, as well as the licensee designers (artists, sculptors, etc.) to ensure collaboration and a smooth working approval process
• Partners with Brand Assurance team to ensure feedback to partners are cohesive, consistent and executable

Qualifications & Experience...

• Minimum five (5) to seven (7) years' experience required in the Licensing business, with a focus on product development and product design; Apparel or licensed product experience is a plus
• BA or BS in Fine Arts or Design preferred, or 2 years Technical College in a design discipline or equivalent experience required
• Adaptive, resilient, measured, high tolerance for ambiguity and comfortable in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• Active mindset, self-driven, intellectual curiosity, thrives in an empowering culture
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with persons on all platforms; Direct messaging, virtual environments, email, in person and via telephone
• Must have close attention to detail and understands written and oral instructions
• Must have the ability to organize and schedule work effectively
• Must have the ability to work well under time constraints
• Must be able to simultaneously handle multiple projects, timelines and communicate across teams
• Must have the ability to manage up, present to and articulate design direction for internal and external partners
• Must practice professionalism in written and verbal communication
• Must have knowledge of production techniques used across all licensed manufacturing industries and how final art must be completed
• Strong knowledge of Mac applications such as Keynote as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (mainly Illustrator, Photoshop and In Design)
• Must have basic drawing skills to present ideas visually
• Must have knowledge of print production and 3D product development
• Fluent in English
• Must have the ability to absorb and respond quickly to given information
• Must have the ability to learn the various properties and distinguish different styles of art from others in order to accurately log submissions
• Must be detailed and preferably have an artistic eye
• Must be able to interface professionally with department, licensees, and all levels of management on behalf of the department
• Must have knowledge of all Warner Bros./Turner/Hanna- Barbera/Discovery properties – training will be provided on WBCP art standards
• Ability to meet deadlines and responsibly manage budgets
• Understands franchise, category and retail strategies and how it impacts and applies to creative strategy
• Understands technical aspects of construction of products and components in regard to design and development
• Understands competitive market and sell thru
• Understands design trends as related to franchises with a focus in the consumer segment and retailer
• Understands product development strategies, product design, print and pattern development, color, and typography
• Availability to travel

How We Get Things Done...

This last bit is probably the most important Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

The Legal Bits...

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. $82, $153,400.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you need a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact us at