Sr Designer, Design & Development (Seasonal)

About the role

We are seeking a highly creative and trend-driven Senior Designer to lead the product development of innovative product collections across Seasonal Merchandise, In theater, and Lifestyle categories. This role is responsible for driving concept creation, product design, trend forecasting, and category strategy while partnering closely with merchandising, sourcing, product development, and cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate combines strong aesthetic vision with commercial awareness and has experience translating market trends into customer-focused products that deliver both style and business results.

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 - $105,000

Product Design & Development

• Lead end-to-end design development for Seasonal product categories from concept through production.
• Proficient in drawing/illustration (including character poses, expressions, and turnarounds), design, perspective, and composition.
• A solid understanding of 2D to 3D translations.
• Create original product concepts, mood boards, color palettes, prints, patterns, assets, and product specifications.
• Develop seasonal collections aligned with brand direction, market opportunities, and customer needs.
• Ensure design consistency and quality across multiple categories and product lines.
• Be an expert in all creative assets to provide accurate PD feedback.

Trend Research & Market Analysis

• Conduct ongoing research on consumer trends, color direction, materials, lifestyle shifts, and competitive landscape.
• Identify emerging opportunities in home décor, gifting, seasonal events, and lifestyle products.
• Translate trend insights into commercially viable product strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with merchandising, sourcing, suppliers, manufacturers, business teams, and retail leadership to ensure seamless product execution aligned with design vision, cost objectives, and project timelines.
• Collaborate with overseas vendors and manufacturing partners on product refinements, material selection, and production approvals.
• Support line reviews, assortment planning, and product presentations.

Technical & Production Support

• Prepare design packages including CADs, specifications, colorways, materials, and artwork files.
• Review prototypes, samples, and production submissions.
• Ensure products meet quality standards, functionality requirements, and cost objectives.
• Perform other related duties assigned to support the needs of the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field.
• 4+ years of experience in product design within home décor, seasonal products, gift, or lifestyle categories.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating commercial product development and trend-forward design.
• Advanced proficiency in:
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• CAD tools
• Microsoft Office / presentation software
• Experience working with global sourcing partners and manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of materials, finishes, textiles, trims, packaging, and product construction.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and able to provide clear direction.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a dynamic, deadline driven environment that revolves around multiple product development calendars.
• Experience managing multiple categories simultaneously in fast-paced environments.
• Highly organized, proactive - a self-starter.
• Solution oriented.
• Excellent organization skills and strong attention to detail.
• Resourceful in troubleshooting issues.
• Multitasker
• A team player

Preferred Experience

• Experience with mass retail, specialty retail, private label, or licensing programs.
• Background in home décor, tabletop, soft goods, gifting, novelty, or seasonal assortments.
• Knowledge of trend forecasting platforms and consumer research tools.

Portfolio

• PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION GUIDLINES: Please submit a professional portfolio demonstrating strong product ideation, sketching, creative problem-solving, and design development is highly preferred. Examples of Home Décor and Seasonal Merchandise, Gifting, and Lifestyle, or other three-dimensional product design are strongly preferred. Portfolios must showcase the full product development lifecycle, from concept to shelf, and include examples of sketches, trend research, pattern and print development, overlays/redlines, technical design packages (tech packs), sampling iterations, and final produced products. All submitted work must be the candidate's original work, with clear examples of their individual design contributions.

Additional Requirements

• Travel may be required
• Hybrid: This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.

About UDX FRANCHISE, PRODUCTS & PARTNERSHIPS

Universal Destination & Experiences' Franchise, Products & Partnerships team (UDX FPP) extends NBCUniversal's iconic brands, characters and stories through global consumer products and games, theme park merchandise and retail, in addition to the UDX enterprise function of franchise management and strategic partnerships. Supporting NBCUniversal's owned portfolio of properties as well as third-party partners across the theme park business, UDX FPP creates products, experiences and partnerships that deepen fandom and connects audiences around the world with the characters, stories and worlds that define Universal.