About the job
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 visionary and strategically-minded Sr. Director, Kids & Preschool Animation to lead creative development, production, and brand storytelling for Mattel’s animated long and short form content slate.

This leader will oversee the ideation, development, and execution of kids and preschool animated programming based on Mattel’s iconic toy and entertainment brands for global streamers, broadcasters and digital platforms.

The Sr. Director will co-lead the creative vision with the SVP Head of Animation, and collaborate closely with Toy Design, Franchise, and Marketing teams to ensure that storytelling both entertains global kid and preschool audiences and amplifies the reach and impact of Mattel’s toy and consumer product campaigns.

What Your Impact Will Be

Creative Leadership

Lead the creative direction and development of all kids and preschool animated content to execute Mattel’s goal to create best in class kid and preschool entertainment first and foremost, while also magnifying brand excitement through 360 play.
Collaborate with the SVP Head of Animation as a creative partner in shaping tone, style, and storytelling direction across all preschool and kids IP/toy brand related verticals (fashion dolls, vehicles, action figure play, etc.).
Oversee development of both Hero Content (flagship series, specials) and Shoulder Content (shortform companion pieces) designed to sustain audience engagement.
Provide clear creative feedback and guidance to Directors, Managers, and external studios through each stage of development and production.
Ensure content maintains a balance between entertainment-first storytelling and brand authenticity, serving both narrative and commercial objectives.

Strategic & Platform Leadership

Partner with SVP Head of Animation to develop and implement a strategy that reflects global streamer, broadcaster and digital platform best practices for pacing, audience retention, and engagement, as well as commercial drivers for toy and CP.
Identify opportunities to extend successful YouTube properties to streamers and broadcasters through commissions or licensing, and extend successful streamer/broadcaster series on YouTube.
Maintain active relationships with YouTube Kids and global streaming partners and executives to anticipate trends and leverage promotional opportunities.
Collaborate with Marketing and Franchise leadership to align content rollouts with toy and consumer product launch calendars.
Work cross-functionally to develop programming that builds awareness and love for Mattel’s toy-linked brands.

Team & Talent Leadership

Lead and mentor a multi-tier kids and preschool creative team, including two Sr. Managers (Vehicles & Action Figures / Fashion Dolls related content) and their respective teams of Managers.
Foster a culture of creative excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
Recruit and nurture emerging creative talent, writers, directors, and animation partners in the kids and preschool space (shared with Sr. Managers).

Operational & Financial Management

Partner with the Animation team’s Supervising Producer to oversee scheduling, resource allocation, and budget adherence across all projects.
Manage the vertical’s annual budget, including development, production, and vendor costs.
Evaluate creative and operational performance through analytics, audience insights, and ROI measures.
Provide regular progress and performance reports to the SVP Head of Animation.

What We’re Looking For

12+ years of progressive experience in animation development and production, with a focus on kids and preschool content.
Demonstrated success in the global streaming and broadcast space; additional experience with YouTube or digital-first animation a plus.
Deep understanding of children’s entertainment audiences, developmental stages, and trends in preschool and kids media.
Proven ability to translate IP and toy brands into story-driven franchises.
Strong network of writers, directors, and animation studios in the kids’ content ecosystem.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
Strategic thinker who thrives at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and audience insight.

Core Competencies & Attributes

Creative Visionary Combines storytelling craft with an instinct for brand-driven narratives.
Collaborative Partner Works seamlessly with Toy Design, Marketing, and Franchise to integrate creative with business goals.
Platform Expert Deep understanding of the global streaming, broadcast, YouTube and digital platform storytelling dynamics.
Inspirational Leader Builds, mentors, and motivates creative teams.
Data-Informed Storyteller Uses performance analytics and insights to iterate and improve creative strategy.

Success in the First 12–18 Months

Establish and execute a clear Global Streamer/YouTube kids/preschool content strategy that integrates creative and commercial goals.
Launch at least two flagship (Hero) animated series or special and one sustaining (Shoulder) content pipeline aligned to major toy launches.
Develop new creative formats optimized for audience growth and engagement across YouTube and Global Streamers.
Strengthen collaboration across Toy Design, Marketing, Franchise, and Production functions.
Position Mattel Studios as an animation leader in the kids/preschool space globally.
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.

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 Work

American Girl is subsidiary of Mattel, 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

American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ MAT, www.mattel.com ), 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.