Design Lead, Kinetic Sand

What will you work on?
 

We’re looking for a creative and strategic design leader to help shape the future of our $200M Activities Brands portfolio. In this high-impact role, you’ll drive design strategy, creative direction, and product development, translating cultural insights into innovative experiences that excite kids and support long-term brand growth.

Reporting to VP of Design, you’ll help lead a team of established compound and activity toy experts, working in an exceptionally kind and collaborative environment that embraces wild ideas, cunningly massaging them into brilliant products and marketing activations including influencer partnerships, trendy/fashion-forward themes, and truly out-of-the-box play formats.
How will you create impact?
 

Pipeline Strategy & Development

• Monitor trends across kids’ media, toys, culture, and play.
• Anticipate emerging trends and translate insights into design opportunities.
• Identify category whitespace and shape pipeline strategy to balance innovation and long-term goals.
• Guide development from product slots to compelling consumer stories and concepts.

Design Leadership

• Support day-to-day decisions across the design team and ensure alignment with overall brand vision and cross-functional partners.
• Mentor designers and provide creative direction, stepping in with first-pass designs when needed.
• Collaborate across functions to influence product decisions and align on vision.
• Present concepts and strategies to executives and cross-functional partners.

Creative Direction & Vision

• Define overarching creative direction, experience principles, tone, and design standards.
• Inspire cross-functional teams and designers around a unified brand aesthetic and storytelling approach.

Pitching & Storytelling

• Craft and deliver compelling pitch decks to convey brand strategy and design vision.
• Tailor storytelling for various audiences—from design teams to senior leadership—to gain buy-in and drive action.

Design Innovation & Exploration

• Lead hands-on development of new play mechanics, sensory experiences, and early prototypes (e.g., chocolate extruder).
• Explore innovative materials and formats that push creative boundaries.
• Define and drive development of new brand segments (e.g., Glow Girl/Luma, Stretch, Kidult).
• Partner with Inventor Relations to evaluate external pitches and prototype concepts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Brand: Align on long-term direction and growth opportunities.
• Product Development: Ensure feasibility, costing, and timing align with creative vision.
• Engineering Innovation: Work hand-in-hand with our internal team of genius mech/electronic inventors
• Brand Design: Ensure packaging supports overall product and brand experience.
• Consumer Insights: Leverage data to refine pipeline and design decisions.
• Inventor Relations: Team with world-class inventors via our internal inventor relations team.

What are your skills and experience?

• Deep knowledge of kids’ as well as broader social culture, trends, and play behavior.
• Strong ability to translate insights into actionable design strategies.
• Hands-on design and concepting skills across complex product experiences.
• Leadership and mentorship experience with a collaborative, growth-oriented mindset.
• Confident communicator and storyteller - able to inspire teams and influence decisions

#LI-Hybrid #LI-HM1