Manager, Publishing Creative

Job ID 10121620 Location Minato-ku, Japan Business Disney Experiences Date posted May 15, 2025

Apply Now

Job Summary:

Purpose of the Role:

This creative role has been developed to support The Walt Disney Company Publishing team in Asia Pacific (APAC). This involves creating and reviewing branded content as well as working collaboratively with teams of artists, editors, and digital content developers to ensure all creatives properly align with Disney stories, sensitivities, and quality benchmarks.

An ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of the Disney brand, franchises, characters and character properties, and stories. Experience and expertise in digital illustration is needed, as well as an understanding of art and design and establishing contexts within a dynamic storytelling venue. Familiarity with Manga development is a plus. The candidate should be able to apply creative concepts to multiple franchises, while maintaining the unique brand of visual storytelling that Disney is known for.

The Creative Manager should have previous art direction experience. They will be working in a collaborative environment across different countries and will need to have a global mindset and be a strong advocate of our brands. We are looking for energetic and proactive self-starters with the ability to produce quality branded content. and have excellent communication skills.

Areas of Responsibility:

Generate innovative ideas and execute concepts that align with the brand vision and standards across various touchpoints, including print, digital, product, and educational materials.
Work closely with licensees, category managers and creative directors to convey creative guidelines, brand integrity and Disney quality. This could include developing new product lines, so as to increase the revenue for the company.
Supervise and direct local content and characters/design usage in print, digital, product, and educational materials, performing new licensees’ induction meetings on a regular basis.
Review local licensee product submissions, product line artwork and branded content within our online approval process system.
Manage the distribution of art resources, information and assets, i.e. style guides, art portfolios and brand manuals, between creative partners and external agencies.
Provide creative solutions and support to commercial teams for pitches and presentations.
Work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and sales, to ensure that creative outputs meet business objectives.
Support the APAC Publishing Creative team with art/design requests and tasks.

Areas of Accountability:

This role will report to Senior Manager, APAC Creative Publishing, with dotted line reporting to the Global Art and Design team. Functional reporting into VP, APAC & MENA Publishing and Digital Experiences. They will have many touchpoints within the organization.

It is imperative that this person has strong art, design, creative and project management skills, and can deliver projects:

Within / on budget
To meet deadlines
Using good communication skills
To achieve creative excellence

Required Experiences and Professional Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Design, Graphics, Visual Arts/Communication, Advertising, or a related field.
Experience: 3 to 5+ years of extensive experience in art, illustration, design, graphic arts, or media. Ideally, candidates will have a creative background in publishing, advertising agencies, or home entertainment.
Portfolio: A strong design or digital portfolio showcasing creative work.
Software Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard software (Macintosh OS, Adobe Creative Suite – Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), as well as Microsoft PowerPoint and Keynote.
Multimedia Experience: Experience in multimedia storytelling is preferred.
3D Knowledge: Familiarity with 3D design concepts is advantageous.

Required Skills:

Creative Skills: Exceptional ability to develop and execute innovative ideas in graphic and/or video formats.
Illustration Skills: Possess illustration experience, with a foundation in drawing, color theory, and composition. Versatility in various illustration techniques and media is a plus.
Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment with a proactive approach to creativity.
Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail and a strong passion for the Disney brand.
Project Management: Excellent project management and analytical skills, with a proven track record of meeting deadlines.
Design Knowledge: Broad design skill set and a strong understanding of trends, branding communications, and digital content creation, extending beyond social media platforms.
Team Collaboration: Strong team player with a positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile, including working extended hours when necessary to meet deadlines.
Agency Management: Experience in managing and directing external production agencies and creative collaborators on various projects.
Communication Skills: Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Language skills: Strong English and Japanese skills

Apply Now

About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with TWDC (Japan) Ltd., which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.

Hiring Process

Where Does Your Story Begin?

Explore Disney Careers and the Life at Disney blog to learn about all the amazing opportunities waiting to be discovered at The Walt Disney Company.
Be Part of the Story

There are many different brands and businesses to explore. Once you've found the opportunity that is right for you, take the next step by completing your application.
The Next Chapter

Once you've applied, you will receive an email allowing you to access your candidate dashboard. Create your login and make sure to check your dashboard often to see your application progress.

Explore this Location APAC

For over 70 years, The Walt Disney Company has been entertaining consumers in Asia Pacific – and enriching people’s lives. Today’s consumer can discover new branded experiences in many ways and in many markets across the APAC region.