Senior Manager, Design & Product Development
Thank you for considering the Senior Manager, Design & Product Development role with Moonbug Entertainment, an award-winning global entertainment company inspiring kids everywhere to laugh, learn and grow. The company is behind some of the biggest kids’ entertainment brands in the world including CoComelon and Blippi. Moonbug believes every child should have access to our entertaining and enriching content, which is why our shows are available on more than 150 video platforms globally including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and YouTube Kids. Moonbug is also a global leader in pre-school music and audio experiences, available on 100+ audio platforms globally. Moonbug brands extend far beyond the screen to include streaming music, toys, games, books, live events, and even theme park exhibits.
Moonbug is part of Candle Media, an independent, creator-friendly home for cutting-edge, high-quality, category-defining brands and franchises.
The Role
The Sr. Manager, Design & Product Development at Moonbug Entertainment will be responsible for leading the development and execution of Consumer Products global style guides and softlines products across our portfolio of kids' brands. The ideal candidate will have experience in style guide development, product development, licensing, and manufacturing, as well as a deep understanding of the children's entertainment industry. They will work closely with cross-functional teams, including creative, marketing, and operations, to develop and execute product strategies that align with overall business objectives.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the creative strategy and full lifecycle development of global seasonal style guides, ensuring alignment with brand positioning, storytelling, and trend-forward creative
- Translate franchise storytelling and trend insights into bespoke illustration and graphic artwork that inspires licensees and drives commercial success
- Develop and execute softlines product strategies across Moonbug’s portfolio of preschool and kids’ brands
- Manage relationships with external partners, including licensees and agents, ensuring quality, innovation, and adherence to production timelines
- Collaborate cross-functionally with creative, marketing, franchise, commercial, and retail teams to leverage trends, insights, competitor products, and customer feedback for consistent, strategic product development
- Present and pitch creative and product concepts internally and externally with clarity and confidence
- Manage multiple projects under tight timelines while maintaining high-quality creative output
- Represent Moonbug at industry events and conferences as needed
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience in design, product development, licensing, and manufacturing within the children’s entertainment industry
- Strong design skills, including illustration and graphic design
- Deep understanding of the children’s licensed business model, global product development, and retail
- Strategic thinker and self-starter, able to work independently and collaboratively across multiple franchises and projects
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to make data-driven decisions
- Comfortable delivering high-quality creative work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and multiple projects simultaneously
- Demonstrated communication and presentation skills, able to clearly articulate creative vision and influence stakeholders at all levels
- Champion of innovation, elevating the visual identity of Moonbug’s brands through compelling, storytelling-driven creative work
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
Qualifications:
- BA, BFA degree in Design, Illustration or related industry experience
- Strong proficiency in Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel)
- Portfolio demonstrating strong Graphic and product design skills; displaying strategic storytelling, fashion and graphic trend fluency across multiple IP’s
- Proven experience developing and executing successful softlines product lines across multiple brands
- Knowledge of industry-standard workflows and best practices for style guide and product development, licensing, and manufacturing
- Strong network of contacts in the children's entertainment industry
- Understanding of digital media distribution and licensing models
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Free Food & Snacks
- Wellness Resources
- and more!