Lead Designer – Consumer Products (Dolls Style Guide) at Mattel — El Segundo, CA

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Designer to join the Global Franchise Creative team supporting our Dolls Style Guide team. This role is responsible for developing best-in-class style guide assets, visual systems, and creative toolkits that inspire licensed consumer products across a wide range of categories.

The ideal candidate has exceptional graphic design skills, a strong fashion sensibility, and a sophisticated design eye. They are a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can take a creative brief and independently drive projects from concept through final execution, and consistently delivers thoughtful, brand-right creative with minimal direction.

This role partners closely with the Creative Manager, Franchise Creative Director, Brand, Licensing, Product Development, Creative Operations, and external creative vendors to develop compelling visual assets that translate seamlessly across a variety of licensed consumer products.

What Your Impact Will Be:

• Own the creative development of style guide assets from concept through final execution across Mattel's Dolls portfolio.
• Translate creative briefs into compelling visual solutions with minimal direction while maintaining brand integrity.
• Apply strong graphic design fundamentals and fashion-inspired thinking to create trend-forward style guide assets and visual collections.
• Develop graphics, patterns, typography, iconography, layouts, illustrations, and visual storytelling assets that support global style guides.
• Understand how style guide assets will be applied across licensed consumer products including apparel, accessories, footwear, home décor, beauty, stationery, publishing, toys, and more.
• Art direct external artists, illustrators, and design vendors to ensure exceptional creative quality, consistency, and brand alignment.
• Research and incorporate fashion, lifestyle, color, print, graphic, and consumer trends.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Present concepts and design rationale clearly and confidently to internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Brand, Product Development, Licensing, Creative Operations, and fellow designers.
• Maintain exceptional attention to detail while upholding the highest standards of creative excellence.

Key Partnership/Relationship Areas

• Partner closely with the Creative Manager and Franchise Creative Director to execute the creative vision for the Dolls portfolio.
• Collaborate with Brand, Licensing, Product Development, and Creative Operations teams throughout the creative process.
• Build strong working relationships with internal cross-functional teams and external creative vendors.
• Provide thoughtful creative direction and feedback to freelance artists, illustrators, and design partners.
• Foster open communication and collaboration while contributing to a highly creative, supportive team environment.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of professional experience in graphic design, style guide development, fashion graphics, consumer products, entertainment, or a related creative field.
• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fashion Design, or equivalent experience.
• Exceptional graphic design skills with a refined eye for typography, composition, color, layout, and visual storytelling.
• Strong understanding of fashion, graphic, and lifestyle trends.
• Proven ability to take a creative request, work independently, and drive projects from concept through final execution with minimal oversight.
• Experience developing style guide assets, brand systems, or visual toolkits that support licensed consumer products.
• Strong understanding of how creative assets translate across a wide range of consumer product categories.
• Experience art directing external vendors, illustrators, photographers, or creative partners.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat.
• Strong presentation, communication, organization, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple brands and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Licensing, entertainment, or consumer products experience is highly preferred.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional taste level with a strong passion for fashion, graphic design, and visual storytelling.
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously while confidently making creative decisions.
• Collaborative, curious, and open to feedback.
• Strong problem solver with a positive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Organized, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset by staying curious, embracing challenges, and continuously evolving creatively.

How We Work:

• 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.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:

Who We Are:

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