Senior Design Manager- Global Experiences

Storytelling is, and will always be, the heart of what we do at Skydance.

Our vision is to build a thriving entertainment ecosystem where stories and worlds are imagined, brought to life and experienced. We create for every age and audience, anchored by the strength of our content and experiences and the depth of our connection with fans. We are creator-first, audience-focused, tech-forward, globally scaled.

Here, you’ll work with talented teams that move fast, think boldly and collaborate with purpose to deliver results. We aim high, champion the best ideas and win together, earning the trust of our employees, creators, partners and audiences every day.

If you’re energized by the opportunity to help build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology, we’d be thrilled to welcome you aboard. LET’S GO!

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Please send your portfolio with your CV

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGE partners with best-in-class partners globally on an award-winning range of theme parks, studio tours, hotels, LBEs, and dining inspired by franchises and properties such as Harry Potter, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo and theatrical properties from historic library to brand new titles.

The division’s Global Experience business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative and groundbreaking projects, retail initiatives and thoughtful experiences, WBD Global Experiences is one of the leading experience and retail organizations in the world.

To be successful in this team, you must have a willingness to model our guiding principles, champion diversity and inclusion, leverage data and insights to maximize the legacy of our deep brands and franchises while maintaining a commitment to fostering best-in-class projects.

Your New Role

The Sr Design Manager will play an integral role in the creative vision for Global Experiences, reporting to the Vice President for Creative. This role requires expertise in environmental design, site installation, live entertainment, and character design, along with strong graphic layout and presentation skills. The Sr Design Manager will manage high complexity design projects, collaborating with partners to develop themed experiences and live entertainment. Management of categories include, but not limited to: theme parks, studio tours, exhibitions, rides, location-based entertainment, pop-ups, costumes, media, and character art. Candidate should be able to effectively communicate creative concepts in front of clients in a professional manner, while also collaborating with other designers, business leads and interdepartmental teams to help deliver best-in-class products.. Familiarity with Warner Bros brands, pop culture, industry trends, and emerging technologies is essential.

Your Role Accountabilities

Creative Leadership (70%)

• Leads regional creative direction for themed entertainment, working directly with the department Vice President, business leads and franchise teams to ensure brand consistency and strategic alignment.
• Guide creative execution for local regional projects, overseeing design partners, licensees and consultants, collaborating closely with US based creative teams to ensure consistency and oversee the projects from concept through production, ensuring quality, accuracy, and legal compliance.
• Work with business leads in EMEA and US to develop innovative ideas and designs aligned with department goals.
• Shape creative development for themed entertainment projects, including pop-ups, theme parks, hotels, experiential retail environments, exhibitions, location-based entertainment, and live shows.
• Provide art direction for themed environments, experiential spaces, retail spaces, F&B, graphics, and live entertainment.
• Review and revise scripts for live entertainment and media
• Conceptualize, inspire, and communicate creative ideas to partners, senior management, and team members.
• Review and approve creative submissions, including show set packages, production drawings, graphics, and media.
• Work closely with partners, vendors, and brand assurance teams to ensure project execution aligns with approved concepts.

Product Management (30%)

·         Partner with product managers to deliver fresh, compelling designs that meet business needs and strategies.

·         Implement and share best practices across all areas of the business.

• Collaborate with internal teams across brand and franchise management, legal, data insights, project management, and marketing to align creative work with company and divisional strategies
• Apply an understanding of construction and design for built environments and components

Skills and Experience Required

• Must be a car owner and willing to drive to Leavesden for the role

• Extensive experience in themed entertainment or closely related fields
• Site installation experience with a broad knowledge of materials and best practices.
• Skilled in Microsoft, Adobe Creative Suite and Keynote; 3D modelling experience is a plus
• Ability to produce sketches and finished renderings.
• Experience in themed entertainment, film, theatre, or live entertainment
• Familiar with industry trends and guest experience design
• Fluency in Spanish is advantageous but not essential

About Skydance

Skydance is a next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Skydance's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, Food Network, BET, HGTV, and Comedy Central.

Some Important Details

We embrace the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit. In line with the laws of the country or region in which the role is based, this includes consideration without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religion or belief, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, union status or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit ouraccessibility page for instructions to submit your request.