Senior Designer - Thomas and Friends

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’s in-house Integrated Marketing Communications team is looking for a Sr. Brand Designer to join the iconic Thomas & Friends brand. Must have stellar branding and design skills, character-based content and digital experience, and exceptional Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign abilities. Highly skilled, detail oriented, and nimble – capable of creating production-ready assets across multiple mediums including print, experiential, web, social, apps, and digital gaming.

A Dreamer and a Doer. Your innovative spirit, creative and technical prowess will help to reimagine this iconic brand for the next generation. You’ll help set the creative vision and drive flawless consistency across multiple media channels including content, retail, ecommerce, publishing and all marketing communications.

What Your Impact Will Be: ​​​​​​​

• Take big concepts and ideas and translate them across all mediums including digital and broadcast video, print, licensing, toolkit/guide creation, trade shows, galleries, merchandising, catalogs, retail and social.
• Effectively translate the brand positioning and visual identity into successful, compelling campaigns, tentpoles, assets and live event activations that are relevant and engaging for global and local use.
• Responsible for on-time delivery of global guides and high-res assets, across multiple media channels for print and digital use, and high-quality production of layouts following editorial, design and brand specifications of each project.
• Collaborate with Content team on the development of character-based storytelling that translates to compelling and cohesive show-to-shelf narratives across all consumer marketing communications touchpoints.
• Collaborate with team in a positive and productive manner including partnering with copywriters, producers, marketing partners and fellow designers.
• Lead development of and/or feedback toward brand sizzles and content trailers to ensure strong visual and narrative storytelling for the audience.
• Oversee and provide creative direction for lifestyle photography shoots.
• Prepare necessary work to be presented at weekly creative reviews and/or to marketing team for feedback.
• Build relationships with cross functional partners to ensure good communication and brand consistency across all touchpoints.
• Drive clear and actionable direction to external design vendors as an extension of our team that results in consistent, high-quality work.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• Versed and on-top of current trends (design, advertising, social media, digital, preschool entertainment, etc.)
• Excellent computer skills: Adobe Suite, and all relevant software tied to graphic design
• Motion graphics, animation and content creation (a plus but not required)
• Tapped into global youth-oriented design, marketing campaigns and trends
• Experience with Character Brands or Preschool Entertainment a plus
• Ability to see large picture while not losing focus of details
• Must have a proven work history that demonstrates reliability and an ability to multitask, in addition to a desire and demonstrated initiative to continually update current level of expertise.
• Attention to detail and a dedication to being organized
• Ability to manage workload to meet scheduled deadlines with a fluctuating workload while maintaining high quality standards established by the organization.
• Take direction to work independently, but also ability to work as a team.

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

• BA/BS/BFA in Graphic Design and/or MA/MFA

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS REQUIRED:

• 3-5 years minimum in Graphic Design/Production or similar field
• Design Firm/Agency Experience strongly preferred
• Graphic production design experience preferred
• Digital and Social experience a big plus
• Knowledge of the industry (Production, Branding, Design, Digital, Social, Advertising)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

• Relentless passion and enthusiasm for the work, always striving to make it better and more impactful
• Knowledgeable and curious about current/upcoming trends
• Entrepreneurial and innovative thinker who embraces change and taking on new challenges
• Strong collaborator that takes personal accountability and love to work in a team environment
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude
• Creative thinker and solution seeker
• Effective in a dynamic fast-paced environment
• Positive attitude

The annual base salary range for this position is between $76,800.00 and $110,000.00. 

**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.

Additional Information

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights