📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Associate, Lifestyle Product Development & Design, Japan
🔹 Company: NBCUniversal
🔹 Location: Tokyo, Japan
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Entertainment Providers
🔹 Date Posted: July 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Assisting in the development of quality products for Fashion, Accessories & Footwear ranges
- Ensuring products meet brand and design guidelines, align with business strategies, and follow relevant trends
- Providing clear and concise direction on trends, graphic composition, and creative notes
- Supporting licensing sales and category partners, retail marketing team with sales materials and marketing communications
- Developing localized branding, packaging, signage for retail toolkits and guidelines
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of fashion apparel, accessories, and footwear manufacturing, materials, packaging design, and marketing for consumer products.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage and review product and packaging submissions at each stage of the product development process
✅ Provide clear and concise direction on trends, graphic composition, typography, draw-overs, and creative notes
✅ Work with the Product Development team assisting with research, product development, liaising with outside vendors, designers, and agencies
✅ Define trends, develop local art and seasonal style guides
✅ Understand product trends that translate into commercially viable product ideas
✅ Visually represent product ideas and features that elevate consumer products to a new level
✅ Support licensing sales and category partners, retail marketing team with sales materials, in-store graphics, and marketing communications including coordination for key events
✅ Develop localized branding, packaging, signage for retail toolkits and guidelines
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to develop and deliver clear and consistent messages.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fashion, or a related field
Experience: Previous experience in a product development or creative support role is preferred
Required Skills:
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment
- Highly organized, resourceful, and proactive
- Flexible, with an ability to find compromise in challenging situations
- Mac proficiency and advanced skills in Adobe Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop) and Microsoft applications
- Native or near-native fluency in spoken and written Japanese. English skill preferred.
Preferred Skills:
- Previous experience in a product development or creative support role
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven record of working cross-functionally with colleagues and be intellectually strong with a sense of humor and practical attitude.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: ¥5,000,000 - ¥7,000,000 per year (Based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee discounts on NBCUniversal products and services
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for project demands
ASSUMPTION: Salary range is estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location in Japan. Benefits may vary based on the company's policies and the employee's eligibility.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Entertainment Providers
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Large enterprise)
Founded: 1986 (as NBC, merged with Universal in 2004)
Company Description:
- NBCUniversal is a leading media and entertainment company that creates, distributes, and brings to life world-class content across its portfolio of film, television, and streaming services
- The company owns and operates leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock
- NBCUniversal is committed to improving communities where its employees, customers, and audiences live and work, with a rich tradition of giving back and fostering an inclusive culture
Company Specialties:
- Film and television production and distribution
- Streaming services
- Theme parks and consumer experiences
- News and sports programming
Company Website: NBCUniversal.com
ASSUMPTION: NBCUniversal is a large enterprise with a diverse range of brands and content. This role may involve working with multiple brands and teams within the company.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-level to Mid-level (0-2 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative & Product Development team that services the licensing business
Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for remote work based on project demands
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to Senior Creative Associate or similar roles within the Consumer Products group
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with various teams across the company
- Chance to gain experience in a global entertainment company and learn from industry experts
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities within the Consumer Products group and the broader NBCUniversal organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace
Office Location(s): Atago Green Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo
Geographic Context:
- Tokyo is a bustling metropolis with a vibrant fashion scene and a strong consumer products market
- The office is located in the Minato-ku ward, offering easy access to public transportation and various amenities
- The area is known for its modern architecture and green spaces, providing a pleasant work environment
Work Schedule: Standard business hours (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM) with flexibility for project demands
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on collaboration and creativity.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person interview with the creative team and/or other stakeholders
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Portfolio review and creative problem-solving exercises
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
- Technical skills and knowledge of Adobe Suite
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your design work, with a focus on fashion, accessories, and footwear
- Be ready to discuss your design process, inspiration, and how you incorporate trends into your work
ATS Keywords: Product Development, Creative Support, Fashion Apparel, Accessories, Footwear, Manufacturing, Materials, Packaging Design, Marketing, Japanese Fluency, English Fluency
ASSUMPTION: The application process may include assessments of your creative skills, technical abilities, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Mac operating system
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Adobe Suite and the Mac operating system is required for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on creativity and innovation
- Results-driven and deadline-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you incorporate innovation into your design process?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to find compromise in a challenging situation?
- How do you ensure your work aligns with brand guidelines while pushing creativity and innovation?
ASSUMPTION: NBCUniversal values a diverse workforce and fosters an inclusive environment that honors the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Collaborating with various teams and stakeholders across the company
- Adapting to changes in the market and consumer trends
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize tasks, and adaptability in a changing environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role focuses on product development and design for fashion, accessories, and footwear, unlike related positions that may focus on other product categories or aspects of the licensing business
- Industry-specific context: The Japanese market has unique consumer preferences and trends, requiring a deep understanding of the local market and cultural nuances
- Career path comparison: This role offers growth opportunities within the Consumer Products group and the broader NBCUniversal organization, with potential advancement to Senior Creative Associate or similar roles
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on fashion, accessories, and footwear product development and design within the Japanese market.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a seasonal collection for a fashion brand, incorporating local trends and cultural elements
- Creating packaging designs for a line of accessories, ensuring they align with brand guidelines and appeal to consumers
- Supporting the launch of a new footwear line, including coordinating marketing materials and in-store graphics
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and the level of creativity required for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the organization?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role contribute to the overall success of the Consumer Products group and NBCUniversal?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within this role and the broader organization?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help applicants understand the role's expectations, the company's culture, and the opportunities for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your design work, with a focus on fashion, accessories, and footwear
- Be ready to discuss your design process, inspiration, and how you incorporate trends into your work
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
