Art Director

Job Summary:

Being part of a multi-faceted  world class design team,  the Creative Director position at Hong Kong Disneyland is a leadership role responsible for creative direction development and creative delivery of both new design and on-going show quality sustainment projects across Hong Kong Disneyland’s hotel and resort properties. This role is required to blend strategic, conceptual and visual story-telling seamlessly to create beautifully crafted guest experiences at our Disney hotels and adjacent lake.

The Creative Director holds creative direction responsibilities, directs story development, conceives, develops and defines and approves all creative aspects of Hong Kong Disneyland’s hotel and resort properties, including new and refreshed hotel architecture, interiors, food & beverage , retail, area development, and other projects  to maintain and improve the guest experience at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels and resort properties.

This creative leadership position requires strong creative, communication and partnership abilities; the ability to develop and drive a creative vision, direct the concepts to illustrate the creative vision, lead team building, partner in decision-making, and solidify the organization’s creative vision.

The role works in partnership with the Producer, Project Manager and guides the Project teams to achieve strategic objectives related to driving innovation, story, place-making, scope, schedule, budget and delivery at the hotels and resort properties.

The Creative Director will closely liaise, align and partner with various operational lines of business across Hong Kong Disneyland Resort to ensure the balance of maintaining Disney's high standard of show quality/story telling consistencies along with the needs of the operating business.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for creating and directing creative vision, provide creative leadership for the development of all creative content throughout the project life cycle, from Blue Sky through Opening and beyond.
• Provides creative direction to design disciplines – show design, color design, graphics, lighting, interior design, show writing, character finishing, character concrete, props, animation, audio and a/v, special effects, water effects, visual effects, architectural, horticulture, landscape and engineering.
• Ensures creative intent is achieved by successfully integrating design with other disciplines and components of facility exterior, interior and area development.
• Partners with project management organizations to insure schedules, deliverables and fiscal accountability.
• Responsible with producer to ensure creative deliverables, scope, schedule, budget and adherence to Disney standards of practice are accomplished.
• In partnership with the Producer and Project Manager, is responsible to inform “value” decisions at each stage of the project, and to make decisions which align budget and schedule with a quality creative product, with adherence to Disney standards of practice accomplished
• Able to think through options clearly and objectively, and to advise leadership on impacts.
• Leads and mentors design team to ensure show quality of projects.
• Critical role in hotel portfolio design and show quality standards strategies, long term planning and priorities
• Ensures that venue management, line of business and Facility Service understand the processes of Walt Disney Imagineering and Show Quality Standards i.e., Design Services Project Management, Show Awareness Training.
• Supports site leader in show awareness and training programs. Co-presents all venue show awareness and training programs.
• Develops and leads a strong venue design team by supporting, coaching, and mentoring to insure the continued delivery of a quality product.
• Engage in regular updates with HKDL Portfolio and departmental Creative executives, communicate effectively on the status of projects and adapt project information to be audience-appropriate.
• Communicates and influences standards and best practices to design team and worldwide with global colleagues.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited design program or equivalent.
• 10+ years internal experience or external industry experience. Disney experience preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing/leading a team of creative professionals. Extensive prior knowledge as a project leader, with international experience.
• Core abilities in interior design, with experience in one or more artistic disciplines, experience or interactive - design, architecture, story development, illustration, theatrical/scenic design.
• 10+ years of related experience in interior design
• Exposure to the direction of a broad range of creative disciplines such as story development, music composition and scoring, actors, animated figure programming, etc.
• Strong computer and hand sketching skills. Excellent skills in Photoshop, In Design, Sketch-up and MS Office Suite - Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills. Exceptional presentation and organization skills. Ability to present and sell ideas/concepts to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to work in all phases of a project’s development, including large and complex projects.
• Proficiency in writing, reading and speaking English.
• Must show strong leadership, communication and organizational skills as well as the ability to flourish in a team environment. Strong relationship building and relationship management skills.
• Highly organized with ability to work well independently and in teams
• Thrives in high-pressure environments with strict deadlines.
• Takes ownership and accepts responsibility for all aspects of the product as presented to Disney’s guests.

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