Manager, Design (Publishing & Games)

Job Description

Job Description:

Universal Products and Experiences is seeking a Design Manager with experience in publishing, board game development in licensing for the Hardlines team. The role will be based in the US office and is responsible for product approvals, product development and product strategies for Games and Publishing categories. UP&E team is looking for candidates that are organized, pro-active, forward thinkers and have strong communication skills. The role requires a manager that has experience building strong relationships with internal cross-functional teams and external partners.

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: $90,000 - $120,000 (bonus eligible)

Qualifications

Responsibilities:

• Licensing Expertise:
  • Possess a solid understanding of the entertainment industry and Consumer Products business
  • Manage and ensure brand excellence by making any necessary design revisions, infusing storytelling and providing property assets and toolkits
  • Manage process flow and prioritize schedules
  • Manage product approval meetings
  • Manage approval functionalities on product approval system (Mediabox)
  • Lead kick-off meetings/calls with licensees
  • Prepare detailed recap notes from key meetings and share with Global team
  • Provide input to Category/business counterparts on licensor selection to ensure excellent product execution and delivery
• Design Expertise and Innovation:
  • Be the Design expert in publishing and board game categories – execution, fabrications, materials, 2D design
  • Understand licensee design & manufacturing capabilities to guide effective design and development
  • Design product solutions across entire Franchise and property roadmap for 2D with knowledge of 3D
  • Prepare all necessary components for design presentations & product review meeting preparations
  • Provide accurate design input and modifications (overlays) based on strong understanding of IP priorities, guidelines & assets through all stages of the product approval process
  • Drive innovation by maintaining strong knowledge of publishing and board games retail landscape
  • Exceptional design skills to conceptualize and develop product ideas from concept to final design.
  • Expert in graphic design including typography, layout, image selection and storytelling
• Design Strategy:
  • Engage in wider UP&E discussions on the company’s vision and strategy
  • Partner with Category to identify white space opportunities for growth
  • Understand regional retail pricing structure for product and line architecture
  • Insights into global publishing and board game trends, broader market trends, consumer behavior and competitive landscapes.
  • Create and build new ideas into marketable product lines for existing properties and new initiatives
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Excellent ability to communicate and collaborate with internal and external partners
  • Embraces and values coaching and mentoring as opportunities for growth and development
  • Required to communicate daily with counterparts
  • Advanced experience in building relationships across the organization.
  • Develop effective presentations
  • Ability to influence and persuade design direction for product lines/segments with cross-functional partners
  • Ability to resolve internal sensitivities, navigate stakeholder approvals, and remove or eliminate roadblocks.
  • Build successful working relationships with key partners including (but not limited to):
    • Licensees & Manufacturers
    • Category, Retail, and Franchise teams
    • Studios & Filmmakers
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience within the licensing and manufacturing industry
• Requires strong communication skills
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and organizational skills
• Entertainment industry experience with license-based consumer product approvals
• Knowledge of product manufacturing and process
• Ability to design from concept through final samples/production
• Polished ability to verbally deliver presentations with full command of material, full command of the stage, and ability to steer discussion toward actionable conclusions
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; comfortable with change; able to troubleshoot problems and act decisively
• Able to advocate for Design recommendations with partners
• Ability to prioritize projects for self and associates
• Fully proficient with Photoshop & Illustrator. Ability to use InDesign, Keynote, Power Point, Word and Excel
• Must be able to articulate clearly and drive toward shared solutions with various internal partners and external licensee teams
• Knowledge and understanding of product category dynamics and strategies
• A plus to do draw overs and or illustrations
• A portfolio showing strong 2D graphic design in publishing and/or board game design.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic design

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, which currently requires contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Beginning January 5, 2026, hybrid employees will be required to work from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.

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.