The Walt Disney Company are hiring a
Product Design & Development Associate - Apparel
Job Posting Title: Product Design & Development Associate - Apparel
Req ID: 10139866
Job Description:
About the Role & Team
We’re looking for a Product Design & Development Associate to join our Disney Consumer Products (DCP) EMEA team — a group driven by creativity, collaboration and a deep passion for bringing Disney stories to life through high‑quality consumer products.
In this role, you will help shape product experiences that delight fans of every age. You’ll support our licensees and Direct‑to‑Retail (DTR) partners by providing creative direction, trend insights and technical product knowledge, ensuring our products reflect the magic, heritage and quality expected of The Walt Disney Company. This role will be based in our London Hammersmith office, 4 days a week, with either a Monday or a Friday working from home.
DCP EMEA Vision & Mission
Our Vision
Our ambition is boundless. EMEA will be the best‑in‑class region in the transformation of the Global DCP business. Execution of strategic initiatives laddering to our Global Playbooks will fuel our growth, significantly outpacing the industry and our competitors. We will prioritise our team and culture, operating as a unified and incredible force, creating an environment where we can all thrive.
Our Mission
We will exceed expectations in our execution, always raising the bar as we innovate our approach. We will operate with a commitment to excellence and embed the value of collaboration. Our diversely talented team will relentlessly drive efforts to ensure all EMEA consumers find happiness every day in DCP products and retail experiences.
You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with integrity, welcoming everyone through inclusion, embracing boundless creativity, working together through collaboration, and caring deeply for our community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day.
What You Will Do
- Execute the full product approval process from initiation to production, ensuring all submissions are correctly routed via Disney’s Online Product Approval (OPA) system in accordance with global product integrity guidelines.
- Provide product design direction, trend insights and creative feedback to licensees, supporting both 2D artwork and 3D product development to drive product quality.
- Train and develop new and existing licensees on Disney brands, property portfolios, creative assets and approval systems.
- Ensure partners have access to the appropriate creative assets for product development.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with licensees and key internal and external stakeholders.
- Create product pitches, design visuals and mock‑ups under guidance from your line manager.
- Develop strong knowledge of Disney characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets to support high‑quality product usage.
- Support team needs across regional, local and global projects, including participation in design initiatives as required.
- Ensure all products meet corporate policies, guidelines and relevant legislation.
- Stay current on product design and graphic trends, competitor brands and evolving cultural moments across EMEA.
- Participate in “inspiration” trips to explore creative directions and identify fresh opportunities for innovation.
- Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive team environment by sharing knowledge, welcoming diverse perspectives and championing positive change.
- Take ownership of your professional development, making use of available resources such as D Learn, instructor‑led courses and on‑the‑job learning.
- Actively contribute ideas to improve departmental performance and processes.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Degree in product design or a related field, or equivalent experience in a lifestyle product environment.
- Proven commercial product development experience in relevant categories or experience in product design within a licensee, retail head office or supplier environment.
- Experience creating prototypes or physical models.
- Strong understanding of trends within relevant product categories and the broader design landscape.
- Working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their applications.
- Ability to clearly communicate product design briefs and concepts using CAD, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop or other computer‑based design tools.
- Ability to deliver work against set deadlines and budgets.
- Strong conceptual and design skills, with an understanding of fabric, colour and product construction.
- Confident presentation skills and the ability to convey ideas to stakeholders at all levels.
- Understanding of production techniques, graphic application, colour and shape.
- Business‑level proficiency in written and spoken English; additional European languages are beneficial.
- Computer literacy across Mac OSX and MS Office.
- Cultural awareness and understanding of local markets across EMEA.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with packaging design and familiarity with style guides for the OPA system.
- In-depth knowledge of fabrics, stitching techniques and graphic applications.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and support positive change.
Additional Information
Flexibility for UK, European or international travel may be required. Flexible hours may be needed at times to meet business needs. Not sure you meet every requirement? At Disney, we know great talent comes in many forms. If you’re excited by the role and believe you can make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
The Perks
- 25 days annual leave
- Private medical insurance & dental care
- Free Park Entry: Enjoy our parks with family and friends
- Disney Discounts across products, resorts, food & beverage and ticketing
- Excellent parental and guardian leave
- Access to Employee Resource Groups, including WOMEN @ Disney, Disney MOSAIC, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED (our disability & neurodiversity group) and TRUST (our Mental Health & Wellbeing group)
The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a workforce that is representative of the audiences we serve, where everyone can thrive and belong. We welcome and respect a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We will ensure individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation throughout the application and interview process, during employment, and in accessing benefits. Please contact us to request accommodation.
