Senior Design Lead [Contract]

Spin Master Ltd•New York, NY

6d•$117,800 - $157,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the guidance of the Design Director, you will drive the creative direction, design strategy, and product development for our Early Learning toy portfolio, including our existing Ms. Rachel brand and emerging opportunities. You will lead a team of design experts to translate early childhood milestones and modern parenting insights into innovative, age-appropriate, and developmental toy experiences. This is a 6 month full-time fixed term contract position.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree (BFA) in Toy Design, Industrial Design, or a related creative field
Professional design leadership experience managing product portfolios and mentoring creative teams
Deep expertise in infant, toddler, and early childhood developmental milestones, play patterns, and pediatric safety standards
Exceptional sketching, 2D rendering, and storytelling skills to quickly convey brand strategy and physical concepts
Proven capacity to coordinate resource allocation, delegate tasks, and drive multiple complex projects under tight deadlines
Experience presenting design vision and product roadmaps to senior executives and major external entertainment partners

Responsibilities

Provide daily creative direction, design mentorship, and tactical decision-making support across the early learning design team
Establish overarching visual aesthetics, design standards, and play-experience principles for the brand portfolio
Monitor global shifts in kids' media, educational models, and parenting trends to identify category whitespace and build pipeline strategy
Translate consumer and educational insights into market-viable product concepts, slot strategies, and consumer stories
Create and deliver compelling design pitches and visual presentations to secure executive and licensor alignment
Partner with Marketing, Engineering, Packaging, and Insights teams to ensure products meet cost, timeline, and compliance metrics
Collaborate with the internal inventor relations team to source, evaluate, and integrate external toy innovations