Manager, Creative Content Kids & Preschool (Vehicles, Action Figures & Fisher Price)

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:Mattel Studios is seeking a Manager, Creative Content to help lead the development and execution of a dynamic slate of kids and preschool animated programming based on Mattel’s vehicles, action figures, and Fisher-Price brands. This role will serve as a key creative lead across multiple projects and platforms, partnering closely with internal stakeholders and external creative partners to deliver premium, brand-defining storytelling for television, streaming, YouTube, and emerging digital platforms.Reporting to a Director, Creative Content, this position requires a strong creative executive with demonstrated experience managing projects across development and production, shaping franchise strategy through content, and driving cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate is a proactive and detailed leader with strong creative instincts, excellent communication skills, and deep knowledge of the evolving kids and family entertainment landscape.ResponsibilitiesWhat Your Impact Will Be:Lead on the creative development and execution of a slate of animated long-form and short-form projects across TV, streaming, YouTube, and digital platformsServe as the primary creative executive on select projects while partnering with senior creative leadership on high-priority franchise initiativesDrive strong story and franchise development in collaboration with writers, producers, studios, showrunners, and creative talent to ensure compelling, brand-aligned storytellingProvide strategic creative leadership and actionable feedback across all stages of development and production, including pitches, outlines, scripts, visual development, casting, animatics, edits, and final deliveryPartner cross-functionally with Franchise, Consumer Products, Marketing, Digital, Publishing, and other internal teams to support cohesive franchise-building strategies through contentManage and strengthen relationships with external production studios, creators, agents, writers, and industry partnersIdentify and cultivate emerging creative talent, new storytelling opportunities, and innovative content formats that support Mattel’s long-term franchise goalsOversee multiple concurrent productions and development pipelines, ensuring creative quality, brand consistency, and alignment with business prioritiesGuide the development of digital-first and platform-native storytelling strategies, with an understanding of audience engagement across YouTube, streaming, and broadcast ecosystemsCollaborate with production and studio teams to proactively solve creative and production challenges while maintaining timelines and quality expectationsContribute meaningfully to internal greenlight discussions, franchise strategy conversations, and content planning initiativesStay current on trends in animation, kids and family entertainment, digital media, and audience behavior to inform creative direction and competitive positioningSupport presentation development, pitch materials, and executive-facing creative documents for internal and external stakeholdersServe as a key liaison for asset requests, cross-functional creative needs, and communication between departmentsWhat We’re Looking For5–8 years of experience in animation, television, streaming, or digital content development and productionProven experience managing creative projects and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders across multiple stages of productionStrong understanding of storytelling fundamentals, including character development, structure, pacing, comedy, and emotional resonance for kids and preschool audiencesDemonstrated ability to lead creative discussions, provide thoughtful and constructive notes, and influence decision-makingExperience working with franchise-driven or brand-based entertainment contentStrong visual storytelling sensibility and understanding of animation production pipelines from development through deliveryExperience developing content across multiple audience demographics, including preschool and kids/family programmingFamiliarity with digital-first storytelling and audience engagement strategies, particularly on YouTube and emerging platformsHighly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentExcellent communication, presentation, and relationship-management skillsPassion for animation, kids’ media, and the evolving entertainment landscapePreferred SkillsExperience overseeing both long-form and short-form animated contentUnderstanding of platform-specific content strategies across broadcast, streaming, and digital ecosystemsExisting relationships within the animation and kids entertainment creative communityExperience collaborating on global franchise and brand initiativesStrong PowerPoint and presentation storytelling skillsWhat Success Looks LikeDelivery of high-quality, audience-driven content that strengthens Mattel’s franchises and expands brand relevance across platformsStrong creative leadership and ownership across key projects and strategic initiativesEffective collaboration across creative, production, franchise, and business teamsSuccessful management of multiple productions while maintaining creative excellence and operational efficiencyInnovative storytelling approaches that elevate Mattel Studios’ reputation in kids and preschool entertainmentDevelopment of strong relationships with creators, studios, and partners that contribute to long-term content growthThe 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.Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!How We WorkWe 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 behaviorsWe 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 AreMattel 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.Visit us at https //jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers .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.Videos to watchThe Culture at MattelCorporate Philanthropy