Sr Director, Product Design - Hot Wheels

Mattel, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Mattel, Inc. in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Senior Director of Product Design to lead a high-performing design team and shape breakthrough product lines across global brands.

You will set the creative vision, partner with Marketing, engineering, and insights teams, and drive design excellence from concept to launch. The ideal candidate has 12+ years in product design, proven leadership, and a track record of delivering consumer-focused innovations.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive product design experience with a demonstrated history of bringing successful consumer products to market.
• Significant experience leading teams through the full product development lifecycle, from concept generation through commercialization.
• Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, talent development, and succession planning.
• Strong understanding of product design, manufacturing, costing, engineering, and development processes.
• Demonstrated success building strong cross-functional partnerships and influencing diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify marketplace trends and translate insights into innovative product solutions.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with experience presenting to senior leadership and executive audiences.
• Experience managing multiple brands, categories, or product portfolios simultaneously.
• Global experience working with Asia-based design, development, and manufacturing teams preferred.
• Passion for innovation, creativity, consumer insights, and developing products that inspire play.

Responsibilities

• Establish and drive the creative vision and design strategy across a portfolio of brands, product lines, or categories.
• Lead development of innovative product concepts and consumer experiences that differentiate Mattel brands in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
• Champion consumer-centered design by translating trends, insights, and cultural movements into compelling product opportunities.
• Drive excellence throughout the design process, from concept development through commercialization.
• Partner with global development teams to ensure design intent is maintained through manufacturing and production.
• Present product strategies, concepts, and line plans to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of product designers while fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

Skills

Product design leadership

Team leadership

Consumer insights

Cross-functional partnerships

Strategic thinking

Executive presentation

Global experience

Brand portfolio management

Job description

What Your Impact Will Be

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Opportunity:

As Mattel continues to evolve as an IP-driven company, the Product Design organization plays a critical role in transforming brand strategy, consumer insights, and emerging trends into innovative products and play experiences that inspire consumers around the world.

We are seeking a Senior Director, Product Design to lead a high-performing team of designers responsible for the creation and execution of breakthrough product lines across a portfolio of brands. This leader will establish the creative vision for the business, drive innovation, and partner closely with Marketing, Product Development, Consumer Insights, Engineering, Packaging, and Commercial teams to deliver compelling products that strengthen brand equity and achieve business objectives.

The ideal candidate combines exceptional product design expertise with strong people leadership and strategic thinking. They have a proven track record of developing successful product lines, building and coaching high-performing teams, identifying future consumer opportunities, and translating insights into meaningful product innovation.

What Your Impact Will Be

Product Design Leadership – 40%

• Establish and drive the creative vision and design strategy across a portfolio of brands, product lines, or categories.
• Lead development of innovative product concepts and consumer experiences that differentiate Mattel brands in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
• Champion consumer-centered design by translating trends, insights, and cultural movements into compelling product opportunities.
• Drive excellence throughout the design process, from concept development through commercialization.
• Partner with global development teams to ensure design intent is maintained through manufacturing and production.
• Present product strategies, concepts, and line plans to executive leadership and key stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Talent Development – 25%

• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of product designers while fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and career development opportunities to strengthen organizational capability and talent pipelines.
• Establish clear expectations and create an environment that encourages experimentation, continuous learning, and creative excellence.
• Drive effective workload planning and resource allocation across a diverse portfolio of initiatives.

Innovation & Consumer Insights – 20%

• Partner closely with Consumer Insights and Marketing teams to identify emerging consumer needs, white-space opportunities, and future growth platforms.
• Maintain a deep understanding of trends, competitors, technologies, materials, and evolving play patterns.
• Lead innovation initiatives that expand Mattel's product offerings and unlock new opportunities for growth.
• Encourage a culture of curiosity and continuous exploration to ensure Mattel remains at the forefront of play innovation.

Cross-Functional Leadership – 15%

• Collaborate with Marketing, Product Development, Engineering, Packaging, Licensing, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure successful product execution.
• Influence business decisions through effective communication, storytelling, and strategic thinking.
• Build strong partnerships with global teams and Asia-based development partners to deliver products on time, on cost, and at the highest quality standards.
• Balance consumer needs, business objectives, manufacturing considerations, and brand strategies to achieve successful business outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

• 12+ years of progressive product design experience with a demonstrated history of bringing successful consumer products to market.
• Significant experience leading teams through the full product development lifecycle, from concept generation through commercialization.
• Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, talent development, and succession planning.
• Strong understanding of product design, manufacturing, costing, engineering, and development processes.
• Demonstrated success building strong cross-functional partnerships and influencing diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify marketplace trends and translate insights into innovative product solutions.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with experience presenting to senior leadership and executive audiences.
• Experience managing multiple brands, categories, or product portfolios simultaneously.
• Global experience working with Asia-based design, development, and manufacturing teams preferred.
• Passion for innovation, creativity, consumer insights, and developing products that inspire play.
• The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

How We Work

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors

• We collaborate Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Videos to watch

The Culture at Mattel

Corporate Philanthropy