Sr Manager, Brand Creative - Portfolio Vehicles

Mattel • El Segundo, CA

7d

About The Position

The Opportunity: The Vehicles Brand Creative team is seeking a visionary Senior Creative Manager to help shape the future of some of the most iconic brands in the world— Matchbox, Disney Pixar Cars, and Thomas & Friends . This leader will drive breakthrough, consumer-centric creative across global campaigns, content, retail, digital, live experiences, and brand ecosystems. This role is both a strategic thinker and a hands-on maker, someone who can define high level brand vision and execute at ground level. Ideal candidate must inspire teams, influence stakeholders, and raise the creative bar in everything they touch.

Requirements

• 8-10+ years of experience in creative leadership roles (agency or in-house), with a strong foundation in branding, art direction and graphic design
• Proven success building and evolving global consumer brands.
• Demonstrated experience in digital, social, and content-driven ecosystems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Advertising, or related field (BFA preferred; advanced degree a plus).
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and relevant creative production tools required.
• A strategic, conceptual thinker who turns insights into powerful brand storytelling.
• A hands-on creative leader with deep design sensibility and high craft standards.
• A brand architect experienced in defining and scaling brand narratives and storytelling frameworks, and establishing clear messaging and tone of voice guidelines that drive consistency and impact across all touchpoints.
• A culture-forward voice with strong awareness of trends across advertising, entertainment, gaming, retail, and social.
• Experienced in building and evolving iconic consumer brands across multi-generational audiences—from kids to collectors.
• A collaborative leader who thrives in a matrixed organization and builds strong cross-functional partnerships.
• An agency-savvy creative with experience directing and partnering with external agencies and production partners.
• A compelling communicator who can influence at all levels and inspire creative teams to do their best work
• Brand strategy and identity development
• Integrated campaign development (digital, social, retail, experiential, content)
• Visual systems and design leadership
• Multi-audience communication (youth, shoppers, adult fans)
• Creative direction across digital, video, motion, animation, retail, experiential and environments, print and packaging
• Agency management and vendor collaboration
• Team leadership, coaching, and creative talent development
• Executive-level presentation and storytelling

Responsibilities

• Define and elevate the creative vision for this portfolio of vehicles brands, ensuring distinct equities, consistency across each brand, innovation, and cultural relevance.
• Lead the development of global, idea-led campaigns and brand systems that drive engagement across audiences and business results.
• Champion, design and develop cohesive visual identities, brand foundations, narratives and messaging for all brands
• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Product Design, Packaging, Content, Digital, and Global teams to deliver best-in-class work.
• Provide clear, actionable direction to internal teams and external agencies to produce high-impact creative.
• Mentor, inspire and grow a multi-disciplinary team of designers, copywriters, and content creators.
• Effectively and clearly present and advocate creative work to cross functional teams and senior leadership to ensure clarity and alignment.
• Balance multiple high-profile initiatives, ensuring objectives are met and delivered on time and on budget without compromising creative excellence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager