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Jobs · Art & Creative · California

Director Experiential Design - Live Events

Mattel, Inc. · El Segundo, CA · 1 wk ago
Art & CreativeFull-time

The Role

The Opportunity: Mattel is seeking a highly creative and strategic Director, Experiential Design to join the Global Location Based Entertainment (LBE) team. This role will serve as the creative design lead responsible for translating Mattel's world-class intellectual properties into immersive attractions, hospitality concepts, themed retail, and family entertainment venues around the world.

What Your Impact Will Be

  • Creative Leadership & Experience Design Lead the creative development of global location-based entertainment projects, translating Mattel intellectual property into compelling, immersive, and guest-centric experiences.

  • Create and oversee experience concepts that integrate storytelling, physical environments, attractions, interactive elements, retail, dining, and entertainment.

  • Develop end-to-end guest journeys, defining narrative structure, emotional moments, spatial flow, wayfinding, and experiential touchpoints.

  • Champion visual and experiential storytelling through environmental design, show design, placemaking, and attraction development.

  • Establish creative vision and ensure design solutions authentically reflect the essence of each Mattel brand.

Concept Development & Brand Stewardship

  • Develop creative frameworks, concept packages, visual assets, mood boards, presentations, design intent documents, and experiential guidelines for global partners.

  • Oversee scalable creative systems that can be adapted across Operations, Marketing and Merchandise arms of Location Based Entertainment while maintaining brand consistency.

  • Serve as a key brand steward, ensuring all experiences uphold Mattel's quality standards, franchise objectives, and guest expectations.

  • Review and approve creative deliverables throughout the design and development process.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner closely with commercial, licensing, franchise, and business development teams to align creative vision with business goals, operational realities, and market opportunities.

  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to evaluate new opportunities, attractions, destinations, and experiential concepts.

  • Facilitate alignment across multiple disciplines including design, architecture, operations, marketing, retail, and entertainment.

  • Present creative strategies and concepts to executive leadership and external partners.

Project Development & Execution

  • Guide projects from blue-sky ideation through design development, fabrication, installation, and opening.

  • Partner with external agencies, consultants, architects, media developers, fabricators, and attraction vendors to bring concepts and creative systems to life.

  • Provide creative oversight throughout production, ensuring fidelity to design intent and storytelling objectives.

  • Support creative reviews, design approvals, and milestone presentations while streamlining decision-making processes.

  • Conduct site visits, mock-up reviews, vendor evaluations, and field art direction as needed.

Global Partner Management

  • Serve as a primary creative liaison for operators, licensees, and development partners across international markets.

  • Evaluate creative proposals and provide strategic guidance to maximize guest engagement and brand impact.

  • Support the growth of Mattel's global LBE portfolio through innovative, scalable, and commercially viable experiential concepts.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Themed Entertainment Design, Environmental Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, Entertainment Design, Interior Design, or related field.

  • 12+ years of experience in themed entertainment, attractions, experiential design, destination development, hospitality, exhibitions, museums, or location-based entertainment.

  • Proven experience translating intellectual property into immersive physical experiences.

  • Strong background in creative direction, show design, environmental storytelling, attraction development, or experiential design.

  • Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and external partners through complex projects.

  • Exceptional visual communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.

  • Ability to balance creative excellence with operational, commercial, and budget considerations.

  • Strong understanding of guest experience design, placemaking, narrative development, and physical environment design.

  • Experience working with globally recognized entertainment, consumer, or character brands.

  • Familiarity with design development, fabrication processes, and installation oversight.

  • Portfolio demonstrating immersive storytelling, attraction design, and experience development.

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