VP, Product Design & Development-Hardlines

About the position

The Vice President of Product Design & Development (PDD) for Hardlines will lead the strategic vision, design direction, and execution of Hardlines products across the Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios brand portfolio for the global licensed business. This role is pivotal in shaping consumer product experiences across these iconic Disney brands while supporting the commercial goals of our licensing business. This role will be based in Glendale, California.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the Hardlines product design and development strategy aligned with global and North America brand priorities and commercial objectives.
• Champion innovation, quality, and originality across the Hardlines category, ensuring alignment with brand values and consumer expectations with licensee partners.
• Serve as a key guardian of Disney IP for assigned brands and categories, ensuring all products reflect the integrity and storytelling of our franchises.
• Drive global design direction for all Disney brands with key trading card licensees while ensuring differentiation within regional partners.
• Oversee the end-to-end design process from concept to market for all Hardline categories.
• Deliver consumer-centric, trend-forward product lines that drive revenue, market share, and brand equity.
• Ensure all products meet or exceed global quality standards and deliver exceptional value.
• Partner with global and regional Commercial, Brand, Marketing, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Creative teams to bring compelling product stories to life.
• Collaborate with global and regional leadership to translate briefs into regionally relevant, high-performing product lines for licensed merchandise.
• Partner closely with North America retail partners to ensure hardlines is integrated into seasonal and commercial strategies to drive placement and consumer sell-through.
• Leverage consumer insights and market trends to inform design decisions and innovation pipelines.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing, diverse team of designers and developers.
• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and collaboration across functions and geographies.
• Build talent pipelines and mentor future leaders in product design and development.
• Drive trend forecasting and cultural insight integration into the design process to inform new product directions and inspire breakthrough innovation.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive experience in product creation roles, specifically with toy expertise.
• Proven success in leading large, diverse, and geographically dispersed teams.
• Deep understanding of brand/IP management, especially within entertainment or consumer products.
• Experience building a strong network, both internally and externally, securing a united vision and establishing results-oriented engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to balance creative excellence with commercial acumen.
• Experience working with global retailers, licensees, and internal stakeholders to deliver high-impact product lines.
• Strong communication, storytelling, and influencing skills across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and navigate complexity with agility.
• Willingness to travel regionally and globally, as needed.

Benefits

• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package.
• Full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.