Design Manager, Product Development

Job Purpose

BBC Studios' North America & Latin America licensed consumer products team is seeking a Product Development Manager to join our ever-expanding department. Selected candidate will work closely with our North America team, as well as with regional Licensing Sales, Retail Development, Operations, Legal, Global Product Development, and Ethical Policy teams, and support product development for all hardlines and softlines partners in US and Canada.

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities

• Manage key softlines categories including home, accessories, shoes, hydration and partners in Canada via our Canadian agent.
• Support Apparel, cobrands, collaborations.
• With softlines team coordinator for category support.
• Adapt graphic assets in support of Bluey softlines and hardlines, including patterns, packaging, and product mockups—that drive innovation, and align with global trends and brand strategies.
• Create mockup brand assets to support regional licensing and global brand initiatives, ensuring cohesion across markets and categories.
• Experience working with licensed preschool character art and keen ability to adapt brand art seamlessly for multiple uses and themes.
• Contribute to the creative direction of trend guide development. Including mini style and seasonal tool kits to bring fresh relevant design ideas, referencing established trend services that align with evolving consumer preferences.
• Partner closely with North America and Latam product development, marketing, and creative teams to ensure design alignment across all deliverables.
• Provide high-quality visual direction, design overlays, supporting day-to-day development with licensees and helping translate feedback into elevated commercial design solutions.
• Prepare and deliver production-ready artwork files, offering hands-on support through product mockups, illustrations, repeatable patterns, packaging solutions, retail mockups and graphic assets for use across all licensing categories and file organization to ensure accurate and efficient partner execution.
• Support the product approval process by reviewing submissions to confirm correct asset application and uphold brand standards—primarily for Bluey, with occasional support on emerging brands.
• Support team coordinators as needed by processing inbound/outbound samples packages. Assist to organize and log sample inventory and record what is in our samples "library" so the team can provide accurate, quick-turn samples requests for executives, events, and other marketing and retail needs.
• Ensure that all product follows BBCS' design requirements through adherence to style guides and rights owner feedback.
• Confirm that all necessary Legal, Ethical Policy, Sustainability, and Brand Protection requirements are featured on products and packaging and work closely with UK based teams for appropriate review.
• Support Marketing, Licensing Sales, and Retail Development teams as needed by creating presentation-ready trend/inspiration boards and product development boards for retail pitch meetings.
• Research & report on wider industry trends as needed.
• Provide print-ready artwork files for retail opportunities, marketing events and .com assets as needed.
• Update internal kick off guides, mini guides and tool kits to align with global brand themes, brand updates and new partner onboarding.
• Gather research for new licensees to service category rights, including relevant competitor research.

Knowledge, Skills, Training And Experience

• Deep understanding and experience designing for preschool licensed assets for North America licensed goods and product development.
• Proven ability to adapt style guides to fit needs of the region while upholding brand integrity.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite including Illustrator and Photoshop required.
• Highly skilled in creative & analytical thinking capabilities.
• Effectively collaborate and communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly organized, adaptable, efficient, patient, and detail oriented.
• Self-motivated to work independently on complex projects and deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Compensation

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $100,000. The actual base salary offered depends on the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and geographic location of the position.

About The BBC

The BBC doesn’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved. Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory. Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer. For any general queries, please contact: bbchr@bbc.co.uk

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