Retail Creative Manager

Role Overview

The Retail Creative Manager for Disney Experiences is responsible for leading a creative team to design immersive retail environments that vividly bring Disney stories to life at theme parks, resorts, and retail locations worldwide. This leadership position entails managing and mentoring design staff, establishing strategic goals, and ensuring all retail touchpoints embody Disney's innovative and guest-focused values.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of creative retail designers, ensuring timely delivery of premium, on-brand work.
• Translate organizational objectives into clear creative strategies and set priorities for retail campaigns and store projects.
• Develop designs and oversee the creation and installation of environmental graphics and thematic overlays tied to films, seasons, and new products across numerous retail sites.
• Direct the entire creative process including concept to execution, managing vendors, specs, and multiple ongoing projects.
• Collaborate with architects, designers, merchandisers, and operational teams to implement cohesive store refreshes, openings, and branded retail experiences.
• Maintain brand consistency and quality across all retail campaigns, ensuring a unified appearance in physical and digital formats.
• Assign projects and provide coaching, feedback, and resources to support team development and performance growth.
• Build partnerships with external vendors and internal groups to optimize product presentation and enhance guest interaction and revenue.
• Coordinate communications regarding overlays, signage, and graphics to facilitate effective field execution across multiple retail locations.
• Use market insights and narrative-driven design to propose innovative retail concepts aligning with Disney's brand and guest-centric focus.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative team culture grounded in Disney's core values.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in graphic or related creative design, including a minimum of one year in a leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Architecture, Interior Design, or similar disciplines.
• Proven ability to create cutting-edge, branded retail environments in physical or digital settings.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and common office productivity software.
• Understanding of visual merchandising, retail display design, and revenue-driving retail presentations.
• Technical knowledge of print production, vendor management, materials, and installation processes.
• Capability to interpret construction drawings, space plans, and collaborate with fabrication teams for quality outcomes.
• Strong project management and organizational capabilities to handle multiple projects in dynamic settings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to influence and cooperate with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills across verbal, written, and visual domains, comfortable presenting to executives and teams.
• Ability to exercise discretion, adapt to evolving business needs, and handle confidential information responsibly.
• A proactive, service-oriented, detail-focused attitude with resilience in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten or more years of experience in graphic, brand, or retail design, particularly in-house retail environment roles.
• Skill with 3D design/modeling software such as Rhino, SketchUp, Maya or equivalents, capable of producing retail space renderings.
• Basic knowledge of motion graphics and video production related to retail or marketing content.
• Strong sketching ability and expertise in moodboards and visual storytelling techniques.
• Experience using project management and collaboration software, with eagerness to adopt new technologies for improved workflows.
• Familiarity with The Walt Disney Company's brand portfolio and operational principles.
• Bachelor’s degree focus on Graphic Design, Architecture, Interior or Retail Design with emphasis on branding or retail settings.

Compensation and Benefits

The position's salary range in Kissimmee, FL is $83,000 to $111,200 annually, subject to factors such as geographic location, expertise, and experience. Compensation may also include bonuses, long-term incentives, and comprehensive benefits depending on the role and level.