Product Design and Development Associate - Apparel Accessories

About the Role & Team

Join us in creating groundbreaking, brand-perfect apparel accessories that captivate fans and elevate retail experiences. We're on a mission to inspire, guide, and support our licensees and DTR partners in delivering innovative, unforgettable designs that embody the spirit of Disney. Be part of the journey from concept to creation, as we transform beloved characters and stories into accessories that bring joy to fans of all ages.

This role is a fixed-term contract running until the end of September 2025 and will require you to be onsite 4 days a week.

What You Will Do

• Complete the approval process for apparel accessories from initiation to production in a timely manner, ensuring all product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval (OPA) system as per global product integrity guidelines.
• Provide product design and trend direction, inspiration, and feedback to licensees on both 2D application and 3D product submissions to drive product quality.
• Train and develop all new and existing licensees on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets, and approval systems.
• Ensure licensees have the appropriate creative assets for apparel accessory development.
• Develop and maintain successful working relationships with licensees and other internal and external partners.
• Build product pitches, new product design visuals, and dedicated core design mock-ups under the supervision of the Senior Product Design and Development Manager/Product Design and Development Manager.
• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage, and creative assets to assist in their usage on consumer products.
• Support the needs of the wider team at regional, local, and global levels as the need arises, including involvement in design projects, as advised.
• Ensure products align with corporate policies and legislation.
• Maintain modern knowledge of product design and graphic trends in apparel accessories, leading brands, and relevant pop culture.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Knowledge of trends within the apparel accessories industry and the broader world of design, with working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production.
• Ability to communicate a clear product design brief and basic design ideas using CAD drawing, computer techniques, and/or third-party design resources.
• Ability to deliver against set deadlines and budgets as directed.
• Strong design and conceptual skills.
• Understanding of fabric, color, and product design specific to apparel accessories.
• Presentation skills with the ability to optimally present design ideas to internal/external partners at all levels.
• Understanding of production techniques and graphic applications with an eye for color and shape, preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of fabrics and stitching techniques, preferred.
• Ability to influence and support change amongst collaborators.
• Computer literate, including Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and MS Office.
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA.
• Degree educated in a related field (product design, etc.) and/or equivalent experience in a lifestyle product company.
• Proven commercial product development experience in apparel accessories or product design role at a licensee, retail head office, or supplier, beneficial.
• Some packaging experience and understanding of style guides for the Online Product Approval (OPA) system, desirable.
• Shown experience crafting prototypes or models.

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

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

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.