Senior Manager Product Design - Games

About the role

Mattel is looking for an experienced Senior Manager, Product Design to lead the design of play experiences for one of its iconic games portfolios, including UNO, Pictionary, Scrabble, Phase 10, Skip-Bo, Blokus, KerPlunk! and beyond. The role works across Design, Marketing, Engineering, Consumer Insights, Packaging, Licensing and Operations, and leads a team of Product Designers.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of new gameplay experiences across family, party, strategy and trading card games, from concept and prototyping through playtesting and final product.
• Apply game design principles, player psychology and consumer insights to create simple-to-learn, rewarding experiences.
• Lead the physical design of products, partnering with Engineering and Packaging on materials, ergonomics, visual hierarchy and tactile interaction, and review prototypes and production samples.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Product Designers, set priorities across multiple programs and build partnerships with internal and external partners.
• Drive projects from concept through commercialization on time and on budget, anticipate risks and improve design processes and workflows.

Required profile

• 8+ years designing tabletop, card, party, strategy or family games.
• Experience leading the full game development process and 3+ years leading and developing creative teams.
• Demonstrated success bringing physical consumer products from concept through manufacturing.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and lead complex product programs.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of player motivation, game systems, probability, progression, accessibility and player experience.
• Knowledge of consumer product development, manufacturing, materials, tooling and production constraints.
• Bonus points: shipped commercially successful games, playtesting and consumer research experience, licensed brand or global product development experience, and familiarity with modern tabletop trends.

The pay range is $154,000 to $193,000 per year, depending on location, skills and experience. Mattel states that candidates who do not meet every requirement are encouraged to apply.