Sr Director, Product Design

About the role

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.

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.

Talent Development

• 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.
• 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

• 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

• 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.

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.