Manager Production Design

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

The Manager, Entertainment Production Design leads the Production Design team in the creation and execution of environmental designs for both new and recurring entertainment projects, guiding them from concept through completion. This role is responsible for overseeing team operations, including hiring, budgeting, project assignments, and workflow management. The Manager also plays a key role in the ongoing development and performance management of staff, ensuring creative excellence and operational efficiency across all design initiatives.

• Foster a Positive Team Culture: Champion a collaborative, professional, and inspiring work environment that encourages creativity, teamwork, and a sense of fun among all team members.
• Project Oversight & Delegation: Assign projects and responsibilities to direct reports, clearly communicating expectations and ensuring alignment with departmental goals.
• Schedule & Workflow Management: Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to manage design calendars, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring all milestones and deadlines are met.
• Brand & IP Compliance: Serve as the primary liaison with intellectual property (IP) holders, ensuring all creative work adheres to brand guidelines, style guides, and specific IP requirements.
• Design Presentation: Present design concepts and implementation plans to project teams and senior leadership, effectively communicating creative vision and execution strategy.
• Construction Oversight: Monitor construction progress, proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies between design intent, construction drawings, and on-site conditions.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct ongoing quality checks to ensure creative integrity and maintenance of design elements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Team & Vendor Management: Lead and coordinate internal staff, freelance artists, and external vendors across all phases of production.
• Technical Knowledge: Apply a strong understanding of construction materials, paint specifications, and finishing techniques to support design execution.
• Multitasking & Delegation: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, confidently prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities to ensure timely delivery.
• Leadership & Development: Inspire and guide teams through effective leadership, coaching, and performance development strategies.
• Creative Problem Solving: Identify challenges and implement innovative solutions while maintaining focus on project priorities and consistent follow-through.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Communicate effectively across departments and with all levels of management to ensure alignment and transparency.
• Adaptability: Thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in the face of change and ambiguity.
• Commitment to Excellence: Maintain a strong passion for delivering high-quality results in both creative output and operational processes.
• Budget Management: Oversee labor and non-labor budgets, including IOP and Capital Expenditures. Assist in developing operating budgets, manage expenditures, and ensure timely reconciliation and reporting.
• Administrative Oversight: Ensure timely completion of administrative tasks such as scheduling, payroll, budget tracking, and employee relations, in partnership with HR and Labor Relations.
• Staffing & Recruitment: Maintain optimal staffing levels and lead recruitment efforts to support departmental needs.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal departments, partners, and stakeholders to support project success.
• Safety & Compliance: Actively participate in Environmental, Health, and Safety initiatives, ensuring compliance with policies and completion of required documentation.
• Labor Relations: Uphold collective bargaining agreements and maintain positive union relationships through collaboration with HR and Labor Relations.
• Additional Duties: Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $100,000 - $120,000.

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in theatrical and/or themed entertainment design and production, with a strong portfolio demonstrating creative and technical expertise.
• Design & Technical Skills: Proficient in both hand-drawing and digital drafting. Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), SketchUp, and AutoCAD are required.
• Art Direction & Fabrication: Proven experience in on-site art direction, scenic fabrication, and installation processes, with a strong understanding of materials and production techniques.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to lead design projects from concept through completion, managing timelines, resources, and creative direction effectively.
• Themed Entertainment Knowledge: Solid understanding of live entertainment production within a theme park or similar immersive environment.
• Availability: Must be flexible and available to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required by production schedules.
• Documentation & Communication: Ability to read and interpret technical documents, safety protocols, and operational manuals. Skilled in writing clear reports, business correspondence, and procedural documentation.
• Presentation Skills: Confident in presenting ideas and designs in both one-on-one and group settings, with the ability to respond to questions and feedback effectively.
• Interpersonal & Analytical Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments. Analytical thinker with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Time Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Independence & Initiative: Self-motivated and capable of working independently under pressure, demonstrating initiative and a strong sense of ownership.

USH Entertainment Department is committed to promoting a collaborative, productive, and engaging workplace for all employees.  We require Managers to lead by example promoting a professional, inspiring, fun, and teamwork-oriented work culture.

General Knowledge and Skills Required: Manager, Entertainment Production Design shall have the ability to read, interpret and follow documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.  The Manager shall be able to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.  Will also be able to effectively communicate, present information, and answer questions in one-on-one and group settings. Have strong interpersonal, analytical and time management skills and demonstrates the ability to work independently under pressure; proactive thinker/self-starter.

Communicating and influencing: Managers are required to communicate effectively with people at all levels in the organization, including providing specific, timely feedback to managers and others to work together more effectively.

Managing Others: Identify required skills and criteria to ensure best quality hiring. Demonstrate the ability to assess performance and take appropriate corrective action up to termination if necessary. Provide associates with all the information, history and resources they need to do their jobs and to feel a partnership with the organization. Coach and develop company members for current and future responsibilities.  Communicate performance goals and standards routinely so that company members understand expectations and how they are linked to organization and department vision, values, and goals. Provide regular, specific feedback that employees can use to continuously improve performance. Demonstrate a commitment to organizational initiatives with words and actions. Encourage employees to contribute; recognizing, reinforcing, and rewarding contributions. Encourage employees to be innovative and willing to take risks, tolerating well-intentioned mistakes.

Quality and partner focus: Continuously look for ways to refine and improve work processes to achieve better results. Follow through on commitments made to internal and external partners.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Maximizing resources: Work collaboratively with all employees in the organization and support others when requested. Seek expertise, advice, and perspectives from a variety of sources both within and outside the organization to ensure a high work standard and an engaging culture for employees. Maintain a productive balance between the concern for people and concern for work results.

Project Management:  Develop plans for accomplishing objectives, monitoring status, and providing regular status updates.  Provide relevant information to others in a timely manner and follow through with commitments made to others.  Recognize the broader implications of a project; doing all that should be done, not just as directed.

Learning and adapting:  Remain productive during periods of ambiguity, uncertainty and change.

Demonstrate a willingness to take on new challenges, responsibilities, and assignments.  Proactively utilize slower periods to improve work and or work environment; equipment maintenance, archiving, general organization, etc.

Leadership:  Set a positive, productive and communicative tone as a leader in the department.  Partner with the leadership team when representing policies and procedures, remaining positive with employees, and voicing concerns directly to senior leadership.  Consistently exhibit an “open door” demeanor which fosters approachability, professionalism and openness.  Be available to all employees equally, treating all employees fairly.  Promote healthy, collaborative and positive tone/vibe in venues, areas and/or elements.

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].