Vice President, Global Retail Creative

Company Description

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 global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

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.

Universal Products & Experiences Overview:

At Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E), we don’t just create products—we create a universe that fans can hold in their hands, wear, play, read, and experience every day. From Jurassic World’s roaring adventures to the playful charm of Minions and the timeless wonder of Back to the Future, we transform stories into unforgettable moments that spark joy across the globe.

UP&E has grown rapidly while keeping the energy, agility, and inventive spirit of a start‑up. Our mission is bold: to take imagination beyond the screen and into the real world through innovative products, immersive retail moments, and extraordinary theme park destinations. We bring both Universal-owned and third‑party worlds to life across expansive theme park destinations, e‑commerce platforms, live entertainment venues, and global retail partnerships—fueling fandom everywhere it lives. Whether it's iconic toys, fashion collaborations, books, collectibles, lifestyle products, or cutting‑edge video games, we work with world‑class licensees and creators to make our universe tangible.

Here, creativity meets technology, and strategy meets storytelling. We connect design, commercial excellence, and fan passion to deliver experiences that millions cherish—inside the parks and far beyond them. As part of Universal Destinations & Experiences, you’ll join a global team that thrives on collaboration, imagination, and the power of culture‑shaping ideas. Your work will inspire fans, uplift communities, and leave a lasting mark on entertainment history.

We believe in a workplace where every voice matters, every perspective is valued, and every colleague can shine. That’s how we strive to be an employer of choice for talent and a partner of choice for retailers, licensees, and creators who share our passion for world‑class storytelling. If you’re ready to bring imagination to life and create moments that resonate worldwide—your next adventure starts here.

Join us and help create moments that matter.

https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

Universal Products & Experiences is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague.

Job Description

The Vice President, Global Retail Creative & Design is responsible for defining and leading the global creative vision for retail environments across UDX (Visual Merchandising & Store Design). This role drives the development of innovative, brand-forward store designs and visual merchandising strategies that elevate guest experience, maximize commercial performance, and ensure consistency across all destinations. This leader partners cross-functionally to translate business priorities into compelling, scalable retail environments while fostering a high-performing, creative organization.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Vision, Strategy & Design Governance

• Define and lead the global visual merchandising and store design strategy, ensuring alignment with brand, IP, and commercial objectives
• Establish design principles, standards, and governance for store environments, fixtures, and experiential retail formats
• Balance global consistency with localized creative execution across destinations
• Ensure all strategies are grounded in operational, financial, and labor realities
• Partner with Universal Creative and senior leadership to align on long-term retail vision and capital planning priorities

Creative Direction & Experience Development

• Lead end-to-end creative concept development for stores, activations, launches, and seasonal programs
• Oversee visual merchandising strategy, including windows, in-store displays, graphics, and storytelling aligned to product cadence
• Direct development of immersive, guest-centric retail experiences that reflect brand and IP storytelling
• Partner with Marketing, Franchise, and external licensors to ensure cohesive brand expression and narrative execution
• Guide go-to-market creative strategies that align with target audiences and revenue goals

Execution, Delivery, & Operational Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end design execution and delivery, ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and to brand standards
• Drive scalable, efficient execution models across global destinations
• Ensure creative concepts translate into clear, actionable deliverables for field and project teams
• Maintain high standards of quality, consistency, and operational feasibility across all implementations

Financial Stewardship & Business Performance

• Lead creative decision-making within established financial frameworks and capital plans
• Own and manage annual operating budgets, ensuring fiscally responsible allocation of resources
• Align design and merchandising strategies to drive revenue, guest spend, and overall retail performance
• Partner with Commercial and Finance teams to evaluate ROI and optimize investment decisions
• Define and monitor key performance metrics to assess effectiveness of retail environments

Leadership, Culture & Capability Building

• Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team of designers, visual merchandisers, and project leaders
• Build a culture of creativity, innovation, accountability, and execution excellence
• Provide coaching and mentorship across global and destination-based teams
• Drive organizational effectiveness, change management, and continuous improvement
• Champion company values, inclusion, and a collaborative creative culture

Cross-Functional & Enterprise Collaboration

• Partner with Retail Commercial, Operations, Entertainment, Marketing, Franchise, and Universal Creative to align on business priorities
• Translate enterprise strategies into compelling retail experiences that drive engagement and revenue
• Influence cross-functional decision-making and resolve competing priorities to achieve aligned outcomes
• Foster strong relationships with senior leadership to support strategic planning and execution
• Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy, procedures, training, and team member involvement activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in visual merchandising, interior design, architecture, creative brand, and/or retail experience development
• Strong pitching and storytelling expertise as it relates to retail guest experiences
• Proven track record of driving growth and delivering results through specific product launch campaigns and how creative execution contributed to driving revenue.  
• Must have direct experience supporting global multi-location retail, or omnichannel environments
• Proven ability to build a successful strategy, using data to inform decision making and execute/implement on time and without delay. 
• Strong knowledge of in-store consumer behaviors as it relates to retail guest experiences and driving revenue
• Strong knowledge of current and emerging cultural trends in retail, store design, visual merchandising, shopper experience and use of emerging technologies
• Proven strong leadership and management experience of creative teams and individual contributors, of cross-functional projects in global locations.
• Ability to interact/conduct business with global internal and external partners outside of established local business hours and days
• Experience with localized regulatory requirements for store design (OSHA, ADA) within the USA.
• Theme-park or global retailer experience
• Experience with localized international regulatory requirements for store design. Asia & the UK/EU a plus.
• Proficiencies not only in English language but other languages. Mandarin Chinese and Japanese a plus.
• Ability to partner cross-functionally and influence outcomes in a complex organization
• Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining focus on guest experience and business outcomes
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Bachelor’s degree in visual merchandising a plus.

Additional Information

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.

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 AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.