Manager, Creative Content Kids & Preschool (Fashion Doll Brands)

Mattel•El Segundo, CA

About The Position

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 fashion doll 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 Sr. Manager, 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 leader with strong creative instincts, excellent communication skills, and deep knowledge of the evolving kids and family entertainment landscape.

Requirements

5–8 years of experience in animation, television, streaming, or digital content development and production
Proven experience managing creative projects and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders across multiple stages of production
Strong understanding of storytelling fundamentals, including character development, structure, pacing, comedy, and emotional resonance for kids and preschool audiences
Demonstrated ability to lead creative discussions, provide thoughtful and constructive notes, and influence decision-making
Experience working with franchise-driven or brand-based entertainment content
Strong visual storytelling sensibility and understanding of animation production pipelines from development through delivery
Experience developing content across multiple audience demographics, including preschool and kids/family programming
Familiarity with digital-first storytelling and audience engagement strategies, particularly on YouTube and emerging platforms
Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills
Passion for animation, kids’ media, and the evolving entertainment landscape

Nice To Haves

Experience overseeing both long-form and short-form animated content
Understanding of platform-specific content strategies across broadcast, streaming, and digital ecosystems
Existing relationships within the animation and kids entertainment creative community
Experience collaborating on global franchise and brand initiatives
Strong PowerPoint and presentation storytelling skills

Responsibilities

Lead on the creative development and execution of a slate of animated long-form and short-form projects across TV, streaming, YouTube, and digital platforms
Serve as the primary creative executive on select projects while partnering with senior creative leadership on high-priority franchise initiatives
Drive story and franchise development in collaboration with writers, producers, studios, showrunners, and creative talent to ensure compelling, brand-aligned storytelling
Provide strategic creative leadership and actionable feedback across all stages of development and production, including pitches, outlines, scripts, visual development, casting, animatics, edits, and final delivery
Partner cross-functionally with Franchise, Consumer Products, Marketing, Digital, Publishing, and other internal teams to support cohesive franchise-building strategies through content
Manage and strengthen relationships with external production studios, creators, agents, writers, and industry partners
Identify and cultivate emerging creative talent, new storytelling opportunities, and innovative content formats that support Mattel’s long-term franchise goals
Oversee multiple concurrent productions and development pipelines, ensuring creative quality, brand consistency, and alignment with business priorities
Guide the development of digital-first and platform-native storytelling strategies, with an understanding of audience engagement across YouTube, streaming, and broadcast ecosystems
Collaborate with production and studio teams to proactively solve creative and production challenges while maintaining timelines and quality expectations
Contribute meaningfully to internal greenlight discussions, franchise strategy conversations, and content planning initiatives
Stay current on trends in animation, kids and family entertainment, digital media, and audience behavior to inform creative direction and competitive positioning
Support presentation development, pitch materials, and executive-facing creative documents for internal and external stakeholders
Serve as a key liaison for asset requests, cross-functional creative needs, and communication between departments