Manager, Creative Services - Girls & Plush

As the Manager of Creative Services, you will help guide a talented team of digital and graphic designers across our exciting brand portfolio. You'll help bring our brands to life through social media, retail experiences, style guides, marketing campaigns, and so much more. If you're passionate about creativity, collaboration, and building standout brand experiences, we'd love to have you on our team! 

What You Will Do; 

• Manage and guide the design and development process (including brainstorming, design, prototype development, and production) while ensuring deliverables are met within scheduled deadlines
• Lead development of innovative design systems that are functional while also maintaining the aesthetics and brand integrity to meet objectives
• Recognize team strengths and skill sets and provides mentorship to Senior Designers, Designers, associate designers, nurturing their professional growth and skills development
• Ensure quality control and efficiency across projects and workflows.
• Support Senior Manager, Director and above
• Advise individual goal-setting process for team members
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities across the team to enhance and develop skill sets
• Document and participate in mid-year and yearly performance reviews of staff
• Assist documentation of team Key Performance Indicators
• Provide Art Direction and inspiration of strong design execution for the team
• Strong sense of design in the applicable for digital and print
• Guide team on research of consumer and market trends
• Responsible for managing time-line requirements and maintaining schedule to support production, and communicating with Senior Director on updates, progress, objectives, and any issues
• Lead communication with cross-function teams to quickly and efficiently resolve any issues
• Manage team implementation of strategies across product lines
• Lead cross functional team meetings with domestic and international teams
• Responsible for ensuring designs accurately represent the company’s brand
• Enforce and track staff follow and fully execute all department processes
• Ensure final art is submission ready for licensor approvals
• Leads Communication with Brand as needed
• Follow workflow and protocols to ensure final deliverables are error-free
• Strong knowledge and ability to art direct both print and digital (organic/paid social) projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisor Responsibilities

Manages People: Yes

• This person is responsible for all aspects of performance management for their team.

What We Are Looking For: 

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, art or other applicable field is a plus
• 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a focus in the toy/baby/costume/pets industry
• 2+ years of leadership experience, with experience managing a team
• Experience working with style guides
• Experience managing projects
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite 
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) 
• Excellent graphic design skills and ability to art direct
• An eye for innovation and creativity
• Able to make strategic, well-informed decisions and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop productive and professional relationships
• Effective and efficient visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of printing processes (4 color, spot colors, mechanical preparation, paper stock, and file formats)
• Clear understanding of print expectations, including, bleeds, die lines, retouching, formats, resolution, etc.     
• Exhibit interest and proactively gains knowledge of the current trends/innovations as well as an understanding the competitive marketplace in the toy industry       
• Knowledge of materials and multiple manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of working with licensed brands
• Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Able to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently      
• Demonstrates a strong design sense, including a well-developed sense of aesthetics
• Can easily adapt to shifting priorities, and can manage multiple priorities at one time, while also demonstrating vigilance in keeping projects moving forward and hitting deadlines

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provide the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What we offer

The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, so the salary range may not apply to other states.

Our benefits package includes basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children, employee basic life and AD&D insurance, a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals, short and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement. 

Our work environment provides a flexible work schedule that includes a Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave.  Through Jazwares Cares, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects. 

Reasonable Accommodations   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Working at Jazwares

At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.

• Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
• Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
• Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the fastest-growing toy company in the industry. Connect with us today, and let's shape the future of play together! 

JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jazwares is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Five Nights at Freddy’s™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and BLDR™. In addition to toys, offerings include costumes, games, and pillows. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Recruitment Safety 

Please be wary of unsolicited communications from individuals or websites you are not familiar with, or any communications requesting sensitive personal data or information. All official Jazwares employment information will come from our company email ending in @jazwares.com. Jazwares will never request any monetary payments at any point during its hiring process. If you have any questions about any unsolicited communications, you can reach out to [email protected]. We look forward to you experiencing a safe and enjoyable application process at Jazwares!