Sr. Director, Kids & Preschool Animation, TV and Digital

Company Description

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.

Job Description

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.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• 12+ years of progressive experience in animation development and production