Director, Product Development, Brand Assurance and Creative, SEAK

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

Who We Areâ¦

When we say, âthe stuff dreams are made of,â weâre not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBDâs 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 whatâs nextâ¦

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

The Director, Product Development, Brand Assurance and Creative, will direct and oversee all stages of product development for all categories, from initial concept through to production, in support of the licensing and business strategies set forward by their Category counterparts. They will be responsible for directing the development and creatively supporting the agents and licensees, while maintaining age appropriate, differentiated, lifestyle driven products in all categories.  While driving the creative strategy and execution for all product categories for the INSEAK region, they will review and manage all product submissions, evaluating them for Product Integrity, Brand Integrity and Character Integrity â following all required BA, Legal and Franchise guidelines. This role will perform multiple Creative and Product Development functions, such as developing seasonal creative strategies, product design, graphic design, typography, trend research, pitches and presentations, as well as creative tools to support and inspire licensees in their development. The role liaises with Local Category and Marketing counterparts to drive cohesive, synergistic creative materials and strategies to support the brands, as well as Global stakeholders in Franchise, Legal and 3rd party partners.  They would also partner closely with the Regional Creative Head and Creative counterparts in the other regions.

Your Role Accountabilities

25%

Trend, Design and Creative Strategy

• Develop and design Creative/Product Development POV (point of view) boards for top DTRs, retailers and licensees, interpreting trend information into salable design concepts, while reinforcing brand image and art application.

• Present creative workshops on a regional level in partnership with Marketing and Category, for agents and licensees.

• Research, identify and apply relevant trends to products and understand how our franchises can work with key market trends. Conduct constant trend research across multiple avenues, such as color, graphics, silhouettes, retail and marketing, to gauge the key influences in the market.

• Translate our IP into market right graphic designs and products, while following franchise guidelines.

• Manage and art direct outside agencies and freelancers when additional creative resources are involved, while keeping key stakeholders and partners in the loop.

• Follow established timelines and key dates for any creative deliverables. Adhere to strict production schedules when designing and managing in-house resources and vendors in the creation of all art.

• Work as part of the broader Global Product, Experiences and Creative team to produce materials such as style guides, design kits, POP, Signage, In-Store Environments, Product Concepts, and research boards for internal/external use.

• Understand and execute creative strategy, product design, print and pattern development, color, and typography and work with licensees to achieve the best creative outcome.

• Drive creative workshops to present new creative assets, product strategies and trends, to help inspire licensees in the creation of products in all categories.

25%

Product Development

• Represent the WBDCP SEAK Creative team in meetings with agents and licensees via conference call, virtual or in-person presentations, visiting their offices or plants and internal meetings for the purpose of reinforcing WBDCPâs creative brand standards on product.

• Inspire and influence agents, licensees and retailers, building essential relationships to help grow our brands

• Lead and manage the overall product direction of the fashion, home, toys and FMCG and promotional businesses

• Develop new business opportunities and extend existing business across all categories.

• Review and manage creative direction of all licensed development, from concept stage, to line sheet, to pre-production, with a focus on brand integrity, age appropriateness, differentiation, construction, silhouette, trim details, sculpts, paint masters, packaging and monitoring appropriate quality. Review new products and suggest improvements in the design or application of art and design concepts.  Provide creative input, direction and guidance to all agents, licensees and sales Account Executives on all properties. 

• Integrate knowledge of marketplace into product assortment with Warner Bros.â characters

• Advance and elevate the product, ensuring quality and value

• Develop best practices, implement and share across all business segments

• Oversee product negotiations and set team goals for continued improvement of deliveries

• Pro-actively evaluates licenseeâs schedules and manufacturing processes to facilitate their compliance with our product approval processes.

• Participate in meetings with Category to train agents, licensees and its product development teams on how to use style guides and design kits in order to maximize the use of all materials that are developed to support our properties.

• Provide creative and design related onboarding and support to agents and licensees.

• Work closely with category managers to produce fresh, compelling designs that meet the business needs / strategies.

25%

Brand Assurance

• Have a strong understanding of our franchise guidelines, staying current on all brand and legal requirements, and ensuring all partners are aware of them as well.

• Maintain all 2D and 3D Product Reviews and Approvals, on schedule, using the Starlabs Approval Platform which serves as a legal record of licenseeâs product submissions.

• Follows up with agents and licensees regarding merchandise development, production and regularly audits licenseeâs compliance with Brand Assurance procedures.

• Provides Starlabs training, onboarding and support to agents and licensees.

• Obtains all necessary third-party approvals from Global Franchise, Global Creative, Category, Regional Marketing, Senior Management, Legal, and 3rd party partners 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. 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, local experiences, POP and POS.

• Establishes a one-on-one relationship with agent and licensee counterparts, as well as the agent and licensee designers (artists, sculptors, etc.) to ensure collaboration and a smooth working approval process

• 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 â following all required BA and Franchise guidelines for character use; legal copyright/trademark information; Warner Bros. Discovery policies, as well as product development and product design strategies..

25%

Team Management

• Establishes and maintains collaborative working partnerships with the category / sales team, as well as throughout the Global WBCP team and the SEAK team.

• Responsible for the successful operation of all creative activities

• Excite and inspire licensees to be innovative designers and storytellers

• Establish and maintain alliances across creative, category and with other lines of businesses in Warner Bros. Consumer Products

• Develop, motivate, inspire, mentor and guide personal career growth of direct reports

• Influence others through education and collaboration

• Lead, develop and maintain strong partnerships with internal and external partners, licensees and retailers.

• Partner closely with category counterparts and strategize/determine how to support key business strategies through creative and product efforts.

• Analyze team performance on a regular basis

• Travel/attend trade shows as needed

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ yearsâ experience at a Management level of Creative/Product Development and Brand Assurance functions.

• Background in licensing product development, print, pattern, graphics and embellishment required

• Both vertical and licensing business model experience preferred

• Minimum of a bachelorâs degree in design in a related field or equivalent experience required

Skills

• Adaptive, resilient, measured, high tolerance for ambiguity and comfortable in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

• Active mindset, self-driven with intellectual curiosity.

• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with persons on all platforms: Direct messaging, virtual environments, email, in person and via telephone.

• Close attention to detail and understand written and oral instructions

• Ability to organize and schedule work effectively, under time constraints

• Production/technical experience designing fashion, home, toys and FMCG and preferably tradeshow, exhibitions, events and marketing materials

• Proven experience in identifying key trends and analyzing competition of the market

• Effective and proven communication/presentation/influencing and organizational skills  

• Ability to provide clear creative and art direction

• Effective and proven organizational, managerial and leadership skills

• Must be able to travel

• Proficiency in reading and writing in English

• Must have the ability to manage up, present to and articulate design direction for internal and external partners

• Must have knowledge of production techniques used across all licensed manufacturing industries and how final art must be completed.

• Must have knowledge of print production and 3D product development.

• Must have the ability to learn the various properties and distinguish different styles of art from others in order to accurately log submissions.

• Able to meet deadlines and responsibly manage budgets

• Computer skills: Adobe CC, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Keynote, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and project management platforms like Mondays or Airtable.

Management has the right to add or change duties and job requirements at any time.

How We Get Things Doneâ¦

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 www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/  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.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

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, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If youâre a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at recruitadmin@wbd.com.

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