Creative Director Show Development

Universal Studios Hollywood is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Creative Director to join our Entertainment Creative Development team. The Creative Director will play a pivotal role in leading the creative vision and execution of immersive live entertainment experiences for the park, from atmosphere characters to the development of brand-new experiences and shows. Reporting directly to the Sr. Director of Entertainment Creative Development, the ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in experiential design, themed entertainment, stage, and/or screen work. The Creative Director will also mentor and guide the Show Development team, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and professional growth.

Lead the creative development process from concept to execution for various live entertainment projects, including shows, performances, and events within the park.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including designers, writers, tech managers, production managers, and producers, to ensure creative concepts align with project goals and objectives.

Facilitate brainstorming sessions and creative workshops to generate new ideas, concepts, and solutions for live entertainment experiences.

Pitch creative ideas, concepts, and strategies to all levels of leadership, including senior management and executives, to gain buy-in and support for projects.

Ensure that projects are completed within time, scope, and budget and in accordance with stakeholders expectations.

Nurture a work environment that is conducive to creative thinking, collaboration, and professional growth.

Hire, manage, and motivate a creative team, providing guidance, feedback, and mentorship to help team members reach their full potential.

Manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing priorities, timelines, and resources effectively.

Oversee the development of visual concepts, storyboards, renderings, and presentations to effectively communicate creative ideas and concepts.

Stay abreast of industry trends, technologies, and best practices to drive innovation and ensure the parks live entertainment offerings remain cutting-edge and engaging.

Ability to drive results of teams through strong leadership and development skills.

Ability to identify and communicate creative solutions to challenges, and to maintain a consistent focus on priorities with persistent follow-through.

Confidence to communicate across all lines of business, with all levels of management.

Ability to deal well with ambiguity and constant change, working in fast-paced environments with accelerated production schedules.

A strong passion to drive high-quality results, both end-product as well as process.

Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health and Safety responsibilities by following established USH policy, procedures, training, and employee involvement activities. Includes completion of I&I, housekeeping and/or other safety follow-up documentation as required for the department.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary Range: $105,000 – $120,000

 Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in experiential design, themed entertainment, stage, and/or screen work, with a proven track record of successful project execution.

 Strong portfolio showcasing creative concepts, designs, and projects in the entertainment industry.

 Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3D modeling/rendering software.

 Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

 Experience managing and mentoring creative teams, fostering a positive and inclusive work culture.

 Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing priorities, timelines, and resources effectively.

 Strong understanding of industry trends, technologies, and best practices in themed entertainment and live event production.

 Proven track record of pitching creative ideas and concepts to senior leadership and stakeholders, gaining buy-in and support for projects.

 Ability to thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment, with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.

 Proficiency with Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook.

 Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects concurrently, with confidence to multi-task and delegate as required.

 Solid understanding of live entertainment production in a theme park environment.

 Must be available to work on weekends, holidays and nights as required.

Ability to read, interpret and follow documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.

Ability to effectively present information and answer questions in one-on-one and group settings.

Strong interpersonal and analytical skills.

Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage changing priorities.

Demonstrates ability to work independently under pressure; proactive thinker/self-starter.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Creative Vision: Ability to conceptualize and execute innovative and engaging live entertainment experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.

Leadership: Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate creative teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence.

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative ideas, concepts, and strategies effectively to diverse stakeholders.

Collaboration: Demonstrated experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals and deliver outstanding results.

Innovation: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to drive innovation and ensure the parks live entertainment offerings remain cutting-edge and engaging.

Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, project requirements, and industry trends while maintaining a positive and proactive attitude.

Mentorship: Ability to mentor and develop creative talent, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment that encourages professional growth and development.

Strategic Thinking: Capable of developing and implementing strategic plans and creative solutions to achieve business objectives and enhance guest experiences.

Guest Focus: Commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences through creative storytelling, immersive design, and innovative entertainment concepts.

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.

NBCUniversals 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.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

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