Lead Designer, PD, Softlines, GC

Job ID 10153955 Location Shanghai, Mainland China Business Disney Experiences Date posted Jun. 17, 2026

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Job Summary:

Key Responsibilities

Support the Senior Design Manager in developing and managing the creative output from licensees, ensuring product innovation, brand consistency, and compelling execution within a commercial context for the China market, with a key focus on Softline Fashion Key Accounts.
- Oversee the creation and implementation of design concepts, ensuring they meet brand guidelines, project requirements, and user needs.
- Manage creative relationships with internal and external partners, providing inspiration and ensuring product is brand appropriate and adheres to Disney guidelines.
- Regularly conduct design reviews to assess project progress, identify potential issues, and recommend solutions to ensure timely delivery of high-quality designs.
- Manage and execute where required, the internal approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner.
- Ensure all licensee product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval system (OPA) as per global product integrity guidelines.
- Ensure all new and existing licensees/retailers are trained and kept up to date on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets and approval systems.
- Provide compelling Product Design and Development workshops/ co-creation plannings, guidance, feedback, and support to licensees throughout the Product Design and Development process while ensuring licensees are provided with appropriate creative assets and style guides.
- Offer creative input and trend direction to inspire licensees/retailers and help drive quality product based on APAC market/industry/consumer trends research
Identify new product and business opportunities, produce first class conceptual designs and pitch to prospective/existing partners.
Develop and maintain an expert knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets to assist in their usage on consumer products.
Report key product progress updates on a weekly basis and regularly archive product development images.
Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and design best practices, and incorporate them into the design process.
Manage and organize digital assets, including design files, images, and other creative resources, to ensure accessibility and version control.
Contribution to bi-annual franchise workshop projects and other ad-hoc projects such as marketing program / tie-in promotions, artworks & special projects as the business requires.
Recruit and train freelance character artists, designers well versed in Disney standards for special projects, when needed.
Sample management & selection for internal/external presentations and support seasonal display updates, managing temporary workers.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion / Graphic Design related.
3-6 years of experience in fashion design or graphic design.
Work experience in a big fashion group is a plus. Strong graphic skills with creative drawings and re-design is essential.
Excellent spoken and written English skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts clearly & to effectively present design ideas to internal/external stakeholders at all levels.
Committed to excellence with attention to detail, and sensitive consumer experience.
Design expertise in fashion products development or visual design.
Advanced knowledge of trends within the industry of Fashion and the broader world of design with working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production.
Able to set up or refine product development processes with a good understanding of product planning cycles.
Passion for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars brands.
Enthusiastic team player with cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across APAC.
Product/market/trend research skills.
Strong project and time management skills.

A creative flair and be able to work in a highly innovative and dynamic environment.

Advanced knowledge of Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Keynote, and PowerPoint or other industry-standard tools.
Experience with 3D, 3D CLO, video work programs is a plus.
Flexible to domestic and/international travel as business requires.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

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About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with TWDC (China) Ltd., which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

It is the policy of the Company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, family status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, covered veteran status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, nationality/ethnicity, migrant worker status, carrier of infectious diseases status, or any other category of persons to the extent provided by law. This policy extends, but is not limited, to recruitment and employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, rate of pay, and other forms of compensation, education, and training.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

Because our employees are at the heart of everything we do, Disney offers a competitive total rewards package that includes pay, flexible work arrangements, time-off programs, medical benefits plan, theme park admission and more.

Benefits and eligibility may vary by business and location.

WELLNESS SPENDING ACCOUNT
We offer on-site fitness classes in addition to a variety of health and wellness programs and seminars.
PAID TIME OFF AND LEAVES
Vacation and sick leave are available for full time positions. Vacation and personal holidays are accrued based on length of service, position, and hours worked.
DISNEY PARK ADMISSIONS
Complimentary theme park admission for full-time and part-time positions after two weeks of employment
DISNEY CHINA-PROVIDED MEDICAL & RISK INSURED BENEFIT PLAN
Affordable Health Insurance options, such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, may be available for full time employees.
DISNEY EXPERIENCES & DISCOUNTS
Discounts are available at select hotels, dining, merchandise and recreation locations.

"The era we are living in today is a dream coming true."

Walt Disney

Hiring Process

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