Vice President - Design
About the job
- A minimum of 20 years of consumer product design experience, including direct experience in the toy business and owned brands or intellectual property.
- At least 10 years of experience managing and scaling teams, with proven mentoring and supervisory skills.
- Strong ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders to influence outcomes, drive execution, and refine processes.
- A proven track record of achieving key performance indicators in consumer product design, including product launch success, on-time delivery, cost targets, and innovation pipeline performance.
- Provide strategic leadership and execute all aspects of design for new and carry-forward products, shaping and guiding the brand's creative vision.
- Lead designers at all levels in creating and executing products, and partner with vendors and inventors to achieve business goals and financial targets.
- Steward the brand by ensuring new products deliver its mission, aesthetic, and quality.
- Contribute to the creation of the three-year new product strategy and review and refine it as needed.
- Lead the internal team and external partners in inventing products informed by innovation, insight, research, consumer needs, play patterns, play value, quality, safety, and inclusive design for children of diverse abilities and backgrounds.
- Work with inventors and the inventor relations team to evaluate submissions and engage the inventor and vendor community to identify innovation.
- Communicate the vision for each assigned product through visual, verbal, and prototype forms.
- Manage designer workloads and use external resources as needed to achieve key product development launch dates and deliver across the development process.
- Partner with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Graphic Design, Sales, Planning, and Copywriting, to ensure seamless and timely project development.
- Collaborate with internal and external design and industrial design consultants, and manage design team development costs to meet agreed project budgets and cost targets.
- Lead the design team's growth and development through training, mentoring, and coaching, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and innovation.
About the company
Spin Master designs, makes, and markets toys worldwide, and also creates entertainment content and digital games. Its toys include brands like PAW Patrol, Bakugan, and Hatchimals, sold wholesale to retailers. The Entertainment arm develops multi-platform content and licenses it to generate merchandise revenue; Digital Games use apps like Toca Boca and Sago Mini with subscriptions or in-app purchases. The company differentiates itself with owned IPs across toys, media, and games, a global manufacturing network, and a strategy that links toy sales with media and games to build a cross‑platform ecosystem.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Canada
Founded
1994
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue rose 8.9%, and management restored profitable growth on July 30.
- Primal Hatch Megalodon hit 4 million TikTok views and launched at Target, Amazon.
- Hapiko acquisition and September 29 Jurassic World preschool line expand 2027-2028 growth.
What critics are saying
- Management shut studios and stopped investments on September 24, signaling weak entertainment bets.
- Q3 2026 faces roughly $40 million order pull-forward, then normalization pressure.
- PAW Patrol concentration leaves Spin Master exposed if preschool demand cools before 2028.
What makes Spin Master unique
- PAW Patrol still powers toys, films, licensing, and digital across Spin Master’s stack.
- Universal partnership spans Gabby’s Dollhouse, Jurassic World, Wicked, and Hellbreak through 2028.
- Toca Boca, Piknik, and Stickerbox give Spin Master rare kid-safe digital play depth.
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Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options
Company News
Spin Master and Universal announce licensing agreement for a preschool line inspired by the Jurassic World franchise from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Sep 29, 2026, 08:30 ET TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Spin Master Corp. today announced a toy licensing agreement with Universal for a preschool toy line inspired by the Jurassic World franchise from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Designed for dinosaur-loving kids ages 2-5, the collection will open a playful gateway into the Jurassic World universe, bringing colossal action-packed adventure down to size for young dinosaur fans through humor, discovery and age-appropriate play. Spin Master's toy collection will feature roarsome dinosaurs, hands-on discovery and imaginative storytelling for first-time explorers. Blending excitement and adventure, the line is designed with preschoolers' developmental needs and natural play patterns in mind, helping them feel capable, confident and part of the action while exploring their fascination with dinosaurs and the prehistoric world. "A preschool collection inspired by the iconic Jurassic World franchise opens the door for the youngest fans to experience the wonder of dinosaurs in a way that's built just for them," said Doug Wadleigh, Spin Master's President of Toys. "The collection introduces dinosaur-driven action play with a touch of humor and open-ended discovery, giving young fans the chance to interact with dinosaurs in an expressive and approachable way." "Jurassic World has captivated generations of fans by bringing the wonder, excitement and adventure of dinosaurs to life, and we're thrilled to collaborate with Spin Master to create toys designed specifically for our youngest explorers," said Rafa Macias, EVP, Global Consumer Products & Games, Universal Destinations & Experiences. Under the global agreement, excluding China and Japan, Spin Master will develop a broad range of preschool toys, expected to launch in 2028 at major retailers. This newest license joins a growing lineup of Universal franchises within Spin Master's portfolio, including Gabby's Dollhouse, How to Train Your Dragon, Wicked: For Good, the 2026 Toy of the Year award-winning Jurassic World Primal Hatch interactive toy, the viral Hatchin' Yoshi egg, and the upcoming launch of the Hellbreak(TM) trading card game, further building on the companies' longstanding relationship. About the JURASSIC WORLD Franchise From Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, Jurassic World immerses audiences of all ages in a new era of wonder and thrills where dinosaurs and humankind must learn to coexist. Jurassic World is more than a film franchise. At every turn, this $6 billion film series delivers a larger-than-life destination for exploration, discovery, and epic adventure. Dinosaurs live again and they live in Jurassic World. About Spin Master Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) is a leading global children's entertainment company, creating exceptional play experiences across its three creative centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. With worldwide toy distribution, Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands including PAW Patrol(R), Melissa & Doug(R), Bakugan(R) and Rubik's(R) Cube, and is the global toy licensee for other iconic properties. Through its in-house entertainment studio, the company creates and produces captivating multiplatform content including powerhouse preschool franchise PAW Patrol, along with other original shows, short-form series and feature films. With an established presence in digital games anchored by Toca Boca(R) and Piknik(TM), Spin Master engages close to 60 million active users monthly in open-ended, creative and safe play. With 29 offices spanning nearly 20 countries, Spin Master employs close to 2,500 team members globally. About Universal Consumer Products & Games Universal Consumer Products & Games (UCPG) brings NBCUniversal's iconic characters, stories and franchises into fans' everyday lives through innovative consumer products, games and digital experiences. Working with world-class licensees, retailers and strategic partners around the globe, UCPG creates products and experiences across toys, collectibles, apparel, publishing, home, lifestyle, video games and emerging digital platforms. Its diverse portfolio includes beloved properties from Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, Focus Features, Peacock and NBC. UCPG is a line of business within Universal Destination & Experiences' Franchise, Products & Partnerships team. SOURCE Spin Master Corp.
Spin Master and Universal expand licensing relationship with new multi-property plush deal across EMEA. Sep 24, 2026, 08:30 ET TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Spin Master Corp. (TSX: TOY), a leading global children's entertainment company, and Universal today announced an expanded licensing agreement giving Spin Master the regional rights to distribute a broad range of plush properties across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Beginning January 1, 2027, the multi-property deal leverages Spin Master's premium retail and marketing expertise to debut these fan-favourite franchises on retail shelves across the region. The lineup spans a diverse range of popular Universal properties including DreamWorks Animation's Gabby's Dollhouse and How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment's Jurassic World and beloved vault classics Jaws and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Spin Master will deliver core, collectible, stylized, and customized plush formats designed to drive fan engagement and excitement at retail. The agreement deepens a 16-year relationship between Spin Master and Universal, built on a shared track record of success with major global properties including Gabby's Dollhouse, How to Train Your Dragon, Jurassic World, and the planned 2027 launch of Hellbreak Trading Card Game. "This agreement pairs Universal's incredible portfolio with Spin Master's deep plush expertise and robust EMEA infrastructure," said Hedley Barnes, Spin Master's SVP International Sales & Marketing. "Building on our history and joint success across preschool and blockbuster franchises, we have the scale, distribution, and local market expertise to elevate and expand Universal's plush offering across the region." "Our collaboration with Spin Master has delivered strong results across some of our most successful franchises, and this expanded agreement marks an exciting next step in that relationship," John Revill, Regional Managing Director, EMEA, Universal Consumer Products & Games. "Together, we're well positioned to grow our plush business across EMEA and bring even more of our beloved brands to fans at retail." About Spin Master Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) is a leading global children's entertainment company, creating exceptional play experiences across its three creative centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. With worldwide toy distribution, Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands including PAW Patrol(R), Melissa & Doug(R), Bakugan(R) and Rubik's(R) Cube, and is the global toy licensee for other iconic properties. Through its in-house entertainment studio, the company creates and produces captivating multiplatform content including powerhouse preschool franchise PAW Patrol, along with other original shows, short-form series and feature films. With an established presence in digital games anchored by Toca Boca(R) and Piknik(TM), Spin Master engages close to 60 million active users monthly in open-ended, creative and safe play. With 29 offices spanning nearly 20 countries, Spin Master employs close to 2,500 team members globally. SOURCE Spin Master Corp.
Spin Master's Mollie Jameson, MAGNA-TILES' Maryam Syed and The Owl & The Hourglass' Donna Teresa Fasano win Designer/Inventor accolades at Wonder Women Awards. Posted on 18th September 2026 By Billy Langsworthy Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment has revealed the winners of the 2026 Wonder Women Awards at a ceremony at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles. The evening also honoured Sherrie Westin, President & CEO of Sesame Workshop, with the Global Impact Award. Westin was recognised for using storytelling to deliver educational content and critical resources to children and families in more than 190 countries. Steve Totzke, President and Executive Advisor at Mattel, won the Inclusive Leadership Award, recognising his longstanding commitment to mentorship and inclusive leadership across the global consumer products industry. The full list of the 2026 Wonder Women Award winners are: - Brand Franchise Leadership: Bandai Namco - Tamagotchi Team: Tara Badie, Anita Komatsu, Monako Kuriiwa, Tanya Sexton - Catalyst for Change (over 500 Employees): Buky Famosa, Mattel - Catalyst for Change (under 500 Employees): Dr. Amanda Gummer, FUNdamentally Children - home of the Good Play Guide - Commercial Excellence: VTech Electronics, North America - The VTech & LeapFrog Sales Team: Jane Donnelly, Amanda Vincent, Carrie Mueller, Eli Butler, Jim Mackenzie, Marnie - Vogel, Melissa Granger, Nicki Shekalus, Sarah Riddle - Designer/Inventor (over 500 Employees): Mollie Jameson, Spin Master - Designer/Inventor (under 500 Employees): Maryam Syed, MAGNA-TILES - Designer/Inventor (Independent): Donna Teresa Fasano, The Owl & The Hourglass - Digital Innovator: Marie Navarro, Hasbro, Inc. - Emerging Technology Leader: Azhelle Wade, The Toy Coach Inc., and Fiona Hardie, Amazon - Licensing Excellence - Individual: Jean Gomez, Spin Master and Kim Bell, Paramount - Licensing Excellence - Team: ZURU Toys Licensing Team: Aneisha Vieira, Gavin Correia, Joseph Fell, Leah Whitehead, Peyton Walker, Shuxin Chen - Marketing Visionary: Mallory Van Laeken, Moose Toys - Mentor of the Year: Humaira Shaikh, The LEGO Group - PR & Communications Excellence: Shirley Kim, The Pokémon Company International - Rising Leader (over 500 Employees): Krystal Rose, asmodee - Rising Leader (under 500 Employees): Jimeka Broussard, Dr. Seuss Enterprises - Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year: Maud Decombe, Miniature Market - Unsung Hero (over 500 Employees): Mimi Douet, The LEGO Group - Unsung Hero (under 500 Employees): Tina Patel, Playmates Toys, Inc. - WiT Champion: Sunny Lauridsen, Just Play "The Wonder Women Awards celebrates leaders whose influence extends far beyond business results alone," said Wonder Women Awards Co-Chairs Deirdre Cross, Founder & CEO of Tiffany Birdsong LLC and Lourdes Arocho, SVP, Head of Licensing at Gap Inc... "Sherrie Westin exemplifies the extraordinary power of purpose-driven leadership, using storytelling to create meaningful change for children and families around the world. We are also proud to recognize Steve Totzke for his longstanding commitment to mentorship, inclusion and the advancement of women across our industry. Together with this year's winners, they represent the innovation, leadership and community at the heart of WiT." Proceeds from the Wonder Women Awards support WiT's programming, mentorship and the WiT Foundation Scholarship Program.
Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary has built some of children's entertainment's biggest brands, including Paw Patrol, Bakugan, Air Hogs, and Tech Deck. In a recent conversation, Harary revealed how a crucial mistake shaped the company's strategy. In 2001, Harary declined to distribute Beyblade for North America. Six months later, he discovered the product was becoming massive with a TV show — but Hasbro had already secured the deal. Beyblade went on to generate $3 billion in sales for Hasbro. That misstep taught Harary a vital lesson about combining toys with storytelling. Four years later, when presented with Bakugan, Spin Master partnered with Sega Toys and invested $6 million in a TV show. The product generated $1 billion in sales over four years, doubling the company's revenue. Harary credits this approach — turning simple toys into character-driven franchises — for Spin Master's success.
PAW Patrol and Colossal Biosciences team up to call on kids to protect endangered wildlife. A Call to Action for the Next Generation of Protectors Paramount, Spin Master, and Colossal Biosciences have joined forces to launch an inspiring species-saving campaign encouraging children to help protect endangered animals. Tied to the release of PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, the initiative uses a newly released video featuring the voice of Marshall to remind kids that real-world animals do not have a fictional puppy crew coming to rescue them. The campaign calls on young fans to step up as the planet's next generation of conservation heroes before it is too late. Video Muted The initiative highlights the reality that the best time to safeguard a species is while it is still alive on Earth. As reported by Animation Magazine, the campaign video encourages youth with the message: "The next generation of protectors, that's us. Together, we can become a real-life PAW Patrol for our planet." This empowers children to view themselves as active participants in animal preservation. What Colossal Biosciences does for animal protection. Colossal Biosciences is the world's first de-extinction and genetic technology company, dedicated to reversing biodiversity loss and rescuing vulnerable wildlife. Through cutting-edge biotechnology, the organization works to revive extinct species like the woolly mammoth while simultaneously engineering disease resistance in living, threatened species. Beyond reviving lost species, Colossal actively applies its advanced technologies to critical, ongoing conservation efforts around the globe. As detailed in the educational resources on Colossal, the company redefines its core mission by noting that "de-extinction is not just about making an organism that is or resembles an extinct species," but about securing the biodiversity and health of its planet's future. How kids can join the mission to save animals in real life. Children can easily participate in real-life animal protection by engaging in everyday conservation habits and local community actions. Families are encouraged to support wildlife by creating pollinator-friendly gardens, reducing household plastic waste, and learning about native species in their local ecosystems. The campaign reassures children that even small, everyday actions contribute to a larger global safety net for vulnerable creatures. Kids can also learn how professional conservation scientists use various tools to monitor and assist animals in the wild. The initiative teaches children that helping animals can mean listening closely to natural habitats, stopping the spread of disease, or helping displaced wildlife return home safely. By understanding these real-world methods, kids learn that science and teamwork are the ultimate superpowers for protecting nature. Ultimately, the partnership shows young viewers that protecting wildlife is a shared global responsibility that starts at home. By joining this movement, children gain the knowledge and inspiration needed to advocate for animals in their own schools and neighborhoods. With passion and teamwork, the next generation can ensure that endangered species have a safe place to call home.