Senior Art Director, Global Licensing Design

This is a Full Time Job

Storytelling is, and will always be, the heart of what we do at Skydance.
Our vision is to build a thriving entertainment ecosystem where stories and worlds are imagined, brought to life and experienced. We create for every age and audience, anchored by the strength of our content and experiences and the depth of our connection with fans. We are creator-first, audience-focused, tech-forward, globally scaled.

Here, you’ll work with talented teams that move fast, think boldly and collaborate with purpose to deliver results. We aim high, champion the best ideas and win together, earning the trust of our employees, creators, partners and audiences every day.

If you’re energized by the opportunity to help build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology, we’d be thrilled to welcome you aboard. LET’S GO!

Overview:

The Senior Art Director leads the global licensing design portfolio, with franchise style guides and visual systems as the primary focus. A hands-on creative leader and senior partner to the VP, the role translates franchise strategy, consumer insight, and cultural trends into distinctive, product-ready creative. The role directs and develops Art Directors, oversees multiple programs, and personally shapes priority work. Working with Character Art, Retail & Packaging, and the Creative Studio, this leader ensures that design systems are compelling, coherent, and usable across categories and markets.

This is an onsite position at our Los Angeles office.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:
• Own creative direction and quality across the style-guide portfolio; align priorities with the VP and assign project leadership to Art Directors.
• Manage and develop Art Directors through clear briefs, concept reviews, actionable feedback, and performance coaching; maintain hands-on involvement in priority assignments.
• Develop franchise visual systems, graphics, typography, color, patterns, and editorial language; create identity elements and product proofs of concept that demonstrate their potential.
• Serve as a senior creative partner to the VP, present recommendations to stakeholders, and lead delegated cross-team initiatives, including franchise branding assignments.
• Partner with Character Art on illustration direction and with Retail & Packaging and regional teams on application needs, ensuring adaptable assets and clear usage guidance.
• Brief and direct agencies and freelance talent; align scope, resources, and delivery with Creative Operations while maintaining creative accountability and franchise integrity.

Primary Deliverables
• Franchise style guides, visual systems, and reusable licensing assets.
• Creative briefs, design directions, and priorities across the guide portfolio.
• Identity concepts, editorial language, graphics, and product proofs of concept.
• Stakeholder presentations and creative direction for delegated cross-team initiatives.

Measures of Success
• Guides are distinctive, franchise-authentic, relevant to target consumers, and applicable for licensees across categories and markets.
• Programs meet agreed priorities and delivery expectations with consistent craft across internal and external work.
• Art Directors demonstrate stronger judgment and self-sufficiency, supported by clear leaders and constructive cross-team collaboration.

Basic Qualifications
• 12 years of experience.

Additional Qualifications
• Extensive design and art direction experience in entertainment, licensing, consumer products, branding, or agency environments, with demonstrated people leadership.
• Exemplary portfolio spanning franchise style guides, brand identity, typography, graphic systems, and product applications; solid illustration judgment and ability to direct artists.
• Expert Adobe Creative Suite skills and current hands-on design practice, with the ability to turn strategy and audience insight into original creative.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple programs, develop Art Directors, influence senior stakeholders, and direct agencies across varied creative assignments.
• Practical experience with company-approved AI-assisted research, concept exploration, and visualization, with sound judgment around originality, rights, and final craft.