Vice President, Creative & Art Direction

At Universal Creative, we design, develop and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable to drive growth for Universal Destinations & Experiences worldwide. Our innovative attractions, immersive theme parks and world-class resorts fuse art and technology to create new standards in the themed entertainment industry.

Our Team Members are the driving force behind Universal Creative. With their diverse skills and forward-thinking ideas, our team pushes us beyond the boundaries of what’s possible to achieve the extraordinary. Together, we’re creating a Universe of fun, always ensuring the next thing we do is better than the last thing we did.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Vice President, Creative and Art Direction, is responsible for the strategic leadership and oversight of the Creative Direction and Art Direction departments, including direct supervision of the Sr. Director, Creative Direction, and the Sr. Director, Art Direction. This role ensures the successful development and implementation of all aspects and phases of project design, from strategy through execution. The VP is accountable for the creation, development, and execution of creative content, maintaining the highest standards of direction, quality, and guest experience across all projects. As the global enterprise representative for Creative Direction and Art Direction within the Creative Studio, this leader drives world class creative vision and ensures alignment with IP partners, stakeholders and UDX brand business objectives. This role leads cross-functional collaboration with intellectual property owners and Creative Development teams, while also directing project deliverables, processes, resources, schedules, budgets, funding, and strategic planning. The VP establishes and communicates project timelines and presents senior executive creative updates to strategically inform business partners, internal divisions, and executive leadership.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Leadership

  • Provide executive oversight of the planning, execution, and delivery of creative projects, ensuring they align with organizational goals, brand vision, and guest experience standards.
  • Supervise and support the Senior Director, Creative Direction and Sr. Director, Art Direction, offering strategic guidance, performance feedback, and alignment with broader creative and business objectives. Ensure the core creative teams are resourced, structured, and empowered to deliver high-quality outcomes, while fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, and collaboration.
  • Oversee the mentorship and development of Creative Direction and Art Direction teams, ensuring consistent leadership and professional growth across the teams.
  • Promote a culture of proactive problem-solving and agile decision-making, enabling teams to navigate challenges and maintain project momentum.
  • Optimize team performance, resource allocation, and organizational structure through effective leadership practices, ensuring accountability, clarity, and excellence.
  • Guide and support cross-disciplinary collaboration across Creative and project management to ensure cohesive and impactful creative solutions.
  • Champion innovation at the executive level by setting creative vision, encouraging exploration of new ideas, and ensuring teams stay ahead of industry trends from concept through execution.

• Leadership of Craft

  • Provide executive leadership in advancing the creative craft across disciplines, setting high standards for storytelling, design, and execution that align with the organization’s creative vision.
  • Oversee and support the departments in driving continuous improvement of creative techniques and processes, ensuring team members are mentored and empowered to refine their skills and elevate their work.
  • Guide the development and implementation of strategic creative initiatives, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and providing senior-level direction to ensure efficient and effective project delivery.
  • Ensure the creation of compelling narratives and immersive experiences that resonate with audiences, maintaining consistency with the brand’s voice, tone, and vision.
  • Review, guide and support the development of persuasive creative pitches and presentations, ensuring clarity, impact, and alignment with strategic objectives.  Maintain and build a consistent bench talent that performs well within or above UDX brand standards.
  • Provide oversight and guidance throughout the entire creative process—from ideation to final execution—ensuring feasibility, integrity of vision, and excellence in delivery.
  • Champion and protect the creative intent at the executive level, ensuring that final deliverables reflect the original vision and meet or exceed quality expectations across all touchpoints.

• Executive Partnership & Communication

  • Provide executive-level leadership in building and sustaining strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including Presidents and IP partners, ensuring creative strategies are aligned with overarching business objectives.
  • Oversee and support the department leaders in facilitating seamless communication across divisions, ensuring all stakeholders remain informed, engaged, and aligned throughout the creative process. Guide and enable cross-functional collaboration between creative teams and departments such as marketing, product development, and operations, ensuring integration of diverse perspectives to drive innovative and cohesive solutions.
  • Serve as a senior voice of influence among creative and business leadership, fostering a culture of excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement across the organization.
  • Partner directly with executive leadership and IP stakeholders to shape and approve creative strategies that enhance brand value, support business growth, and reinforce long-term partnerships.

• Culture

  • Provide executive leadership in cultivating a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing creative culture across the organization, setting the tone for how teams engage, solve problems, and deliver results.
  • Support and guide the Senior Director, Creative Direction and the Senior Director of Art Direction, in fostering an environment that encourages optimism, creativity, and a solution-oriented mindset, ensuring teams are motivated and aligned with organizational values.
  • Champion corporate inclusion initiatives at the leadership level, ensuring that inclusion goals are embedded in team practices, talent development, and workplace culture, and that all voices are valued and respected.
• Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

EDUCATION:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Science or Management disciplines including Theater, Design, Architecture, Industrial Engineering, Production, Project Management is required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master's degree strongly preferred - MS, MA, MBA.

EXPERIENCE: 

• 12+ years of proven leadership experience as a senior level strategist leading strategic planning in a dynamic, complex, ever changing, multi-disciplined, highly creative environment within in experience-based entertainment or entertainment franchise management for world-class theme parks, studios, or related industries; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.