Manager - Attraction Design

Universal Creative is the planning and development division of Universal Parks and Resorts™, which is one of the many businesses within NBCUniversal™. We are ideally situated in Orlando, Florida, which has become widely known as the theme park and resort capital of the world. We are responsible for the design, development, and delivery of all resort and theme park concepts for all of Universal vacation destinations worldwide – Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore, as well as a new destination coming in 2020 in Beijing, China. Join us if you want to collaborate, innovate, develop, and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable that drive growth for the Universal brand around the world.

What sets Universal Creative apart?

We rarely wear suits. We think pop culture is fascinating and newsworthy. We are aware that possibilities are not limited by today’s realities. We know that everyone has good ideas (and the occasional bad one as well). We know that the world is large and varied, and that we touch all of it. We know that most high school guidance counselors don’t know our jobs exist. We know that if this were easy, everyone would be doing it. We know that there is an eclectic assortment of talented people from various professional backgrounds at the heart of Universal Creative. In addition, we embrace the power of cultural diversity and inclusion and continuously strive to maintain a team that is a reflection of our global audience. We are a diverse group, but united by a common goal: to dream and deliver the best possible out-of-home entertainment for people from every walk of life. In order to make that happen, Universal Creative relies on collaboration, hard work, synchronicity, a bit of luck, and a bunch of talented, experienced people who do not let ego and turf stand in the way of brilliance. We depend on a team of people who understand the task, the business implications, and refuse to be defeated by the challenge to fuse fantasy with physics. Universal Creative embraces ‘The Universal Way’ by not just meeting guest expectations, but exceeding them, every time.

SUMMARY: Responsible for overseeing and directing the attraction design staff and assignments for all international and domestic attraction projects. Responsible for establishing and maintaining Creative Attraction Design Standards, managing work quality, Studio and Project staff assignments in collaboration with Show Producers, Creative Directors, Art Directors, Show/Set Manager and Ride/Show Engineers under the direction of the Vice President of Creative Design. The Manager is a creative, innovative, and organized thinker able to create multiple technical and creative approaches and solutions to meet critical design criteria, such as, guest experience, hourly ride capacity (THRC), show timing, vehicle spacing, etc., while adhering to local building codes. Responsible for bringing the creative intent to life in models, scale drawings, artwork and design packages depicting the creative intent of a project and various show and facility elements of an attraction.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees and directs staff to ensure that project creative intent is accurately integrated and documented in models and drawing packages.
• Mentors and provides guidance and training to staff. Motivates staff to accomplish goals. Builds bench strength by identifying training and development opportunities. Develops and implements policies, procedures, and attraction design and programming standards.
• Responsible for the creation, development, execution of design and art direction of elements of assigned attractions, rides, shows and environmental design projects. Conceives, develops and defines all design elements of assigned project that affect guest experience, in concert with the Creative Director and Production Designer from Blue Sky phase through to specified end scope of the project. Accomplished with many different methods, including, but not limited to: leading and participating in brainstorm sessions / charrettes, creating sketches, storyboards, points of view (POVs), renderings, 3D models, illustrations, plans, sections and elevations.
• As directed by the Creative Director, develops and maintains the integrity on the envisioned original design, maintaining a cohesive design in all elements associated with the project through all phases of development.
• Utilizes various drafting techniques and tools (e.g. AutoCAD, ADOBE Graphics software, 3D software, etc.) to draw, draft and create dimensional, scale drawings and models detailing construction methods and the integration of various show elements with each other and the facility.
• Responsible for designing to project program and budget, and for coordinating and integrating with other disciplines including but not limited to engineering, operations, and architecture.
• Oversees and directs internal and external resources. With the Sr. Director Creative Design, identifies talent and resources and requirements necessary to complete projects. Creates resource plans in coordination with show producer to validate schedule and expectations. Oversees and makes work assignments to the design team during all phases of the project, including production and installation, in a manner that meets the project creative intent, schedule and budget. Initiates and organizes design reviews as often as needed during the process. Oversees show vendors and consultants to maintain the integrity of the original design during all phases of the project.
• The Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining Attraction Design Standards. Manages Standards creation, update, review and approval. Communicates and updates Standards on an ongoing basis.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of presentations and presentation artwork outlining creative goals and intent to gain internal and external approvals. Acts as project liaison for appropriate internal and external partners, licensors, and intellectual property developers.

SCOPE: Will typically be assigned to project in the early phases of development (e.g. Blue Sky, Concept Design and Schematic Design). It is possible that they may be assigned to projects in the field for installation depending upon need. Will be assigned to a wide range of tasks and project sizes and types.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have experience in theatre, film, animation, architecture, gaming or other related industries.
• Must be a creative thinker and have strong technical ability with various design techniques/tools such as illustration, show set / scenic design and drafting, 3D modeling, architectural design, and/or others.
• Must have strong communication and collaboration skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Must have creative, artistic and illustration ability.

EDUCATION: High school degree or GED is required. Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Design, Theater, Graphics or Computer Technology or other related field is preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum 7-10 years: design experience for themed entertainment/theme parks; 5-7 years experience as a theme park attraction designer.