Director, Product Development and Creative

Job Description

As the Director, Product Development and Creative, you 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 your Category counterparts.

You will be responsible for directing the development and creatively supporting the 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 China region, you will review and manage all product submissions, evaluating them for Product Integrity, Brand Integrity and Character Integrity.

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.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
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 licensees
• Research, identify and apply relevant trends to products and understand how our franchises can work with key market trends
• 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
• 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

Product Development
• Represent the WBCP China Creative team in meetings with licensees for the purpose of reinforcing WBCP's creative brand standards on product
• Inspire and influence 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 businesses
• Develop new business opportunities and extend existing business across all categories
• Review and manage creative direction of all licensed apparel development, from concept stage, to line sheet, to pre-production. Review new products and suggest improvements in the design or application of art and design concepts. Provide creative input, direction and guidance to all licensees and sales Account Executives on all properties
• Integrate knowledge of marketplace into product assortment with Warner Bros.' characters
• Develop best practices, implement and share across all business segments
• Oversee product negotiations and set team goals for continued improvement of deliveries
• Participate in meetings with Category to train licensees and product development teams on how to use style guides and design kits
• Provide creative and design related onboarding and support to licensees
• Work closely with category managers to produce fresh, compelling designs that meet the business needs / strategies

Brand Assurance
• Maintain all 2D and 3D Product Reviews and Approvals, on schedule, using the Starlabs Approval Platform which serves as a legal record of licensee's product submissions
• Follow up with licensees regarding merchandise development, production and regularly audit licensee's compliance with Brand Assurance procedures
• Provide Starlabs training, onboarding and support to licensees
• Obtain all necessary third-party approvals from Global Franchise, Global Creative, Category, Regional Marketing, Senior Management, Legal, and third-party partners to ensure proper feedback is communicated to licensees
• Perform Brand Assurance activities on Starlabs Approval Platform
• Establish a one-on-one relationship with licensee counterparts, as well as the licensee designers (artists, sculptors, etc.)
• Review product featuring any Warner Bros. owned properties in the following areas: Product Integrity, Brand Integrity and Character Integrity; legal copyright/trademark information; Warner Bros.' policies, as well as product development and product design strategies

Team Management
• Establish and maintain collaborative working partnerships with the category / sales team, as well as throughout the Global WBCP team and the WM China team
• 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

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• Experience at a Management level of Creative/Product Development and Brand Assurance functions
• Background in product development, print, pattern, graphics and embellishment required
• Both vertical and licensing business model experience preferred
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in design in a related field or equivalent experience required
• Adaptive, resilient, measured, high tolerance for ambiguity and comfortable in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with persons on all platforms
• 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 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 English and Chinese (Mandarin), and extensive knowledge of understanding Chinese market, as well as experience with the Chinese consumer
• 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

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g3vk3x-3-137-183-14-42 in your application.