Overview:The Senior Art Director leads the global licensing design portfolio, with franchise style guides and visual systems as the primary focus. A hands-on creative leader and senior partner to the VP, the role translates franchise strategy, consumer insight, and cultural trends into distinctive, product-ready creative. The role directs and develops Art Directors, oversees multiple programs, and personally shapes priority work. Working with Character Art, Retail & Packaging, and the Creative Studio, this leader ensures that design systems are compelling, coherent, and usable across categories and markets.
This is an onsite position at our Los Angeles office.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:- Own creative direction and quality across the style-guide portfolio; align priorities with the VP and assign project leadership to Art Directors.
- Manage and develop Art Directors through clear briefs, concept reviews, actionable feedback, and performance coaching; maintain hands-on involvement in priority assignments.
- Develop franchise visual systems, graphics, typography, color, patterns, and editorial language; create identity elements and product proofs of concept that demonstrate their potential.
- Serve as a senior creative partner to the VP, present recommendations to stakeholders, and lead delegated cross-team initiatives, including franchise branding assignments.
- Partner with Character Art on illustration direction and with Retail & Packaging and regional teams on application needs, ensuring adaptable assets and clear usage guidance.
- Brief and direct agencies and freelance talent; align scope, resources, and delivery with Creative Operations while maintaining creative accountability and franchise integrity.
Primary Deliverables- Franchise style guides, visual systems, and reusable licensing assets.
- Creative briefs, design directions, and priorities across the guide portfolio.
- Identity concepts, editorial language, graphics, and product proofs of concept.
- Stakeholder presentations and creative direction for delegated cross-team initiatives.
Measures of Success- Guides are distinctive, franchise-authentic, relevant to target consumers, and applicable for licensees across categories and markets.
- Programs meet agreed priorities and delivery expectations with consistent craft across internal and external work.
- Art Directors demonstrate stronger judgment and self-sufficiency, supported by clear leaders and constructive cross-team collaboration.
Basic Qualifications:Additional Qualifications:- Extensive design and art direction experience in entertainment, licensing, consumer products, branding, or agency environments, with demonstrated people leadership.
- Exemplary portfolio spanning franchise style guides, brand identity, typography, graphic systems, and product applications; solid illustration judgment and ability to direct artists.
- Expert Adobe Creative Suite skills and current hands-on design practice, with the ability to turn strategy and audience insight into original creative.
- Proven ability to oversee multiple programs, develop Art Directors, influence senior stakeholders, and direct agencies across varied creative assignments.
- Practical experience with company-approved AI-assisted research, concept exploration, and visualization, with sound judgment around originality, rights, and final craft.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hiring Salary Range: $156,800.00 - 200,000.00.
In compliance with local law, we are disclosing compensation, or a range thereof, for roles where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, external market data, internal equity, skill set, experience, training, education, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of our total compensation package. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards.
This position is bonus eligible.
What We Offer:
- Attractive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages. Check out our full list of benefits here.
- Generous paid time off.
- Complimentary subscriptions to HBO Max, Paramount+, and other Skydance streaming services and digital news products.
- Robust employee engagement opportunities, including access to exclusive screenings and events, speaker series, volunteer activities and more.
