Job Description

Reporting into the VP of Consumer Products, the Creative Director, Product Development will be charged with translating series content into compelling merchandise across Hard and Soft Lines globally. The successful candidate will join an experienced and entrepreneurial licensing team charged with creating best in class consumer products for kids globally while growing Scholastic/9Story revenue.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and execute on creative consumer products strategy across Scholastic/9 Story IP ensuring design and product development align with Franchise and CP strategy


- Collaborate with Development & Production on asset development, ensuring Consumer Products needs are represented, including feedback on play patterns, key characters, locations, props and branding elements as well as design & trend direction.


- Lead and oversee Creative Direction and development of Fashion and Trend guides including Branding and Packaging


- Provide creative and art direction as needed to support and enhance products across all categories (softlines, hardlines, FMCG, publishing)


- Lead creative approvals process for all product categories from initial kick-offs through on-shelf launches, collaborating with internal and external 3rd party stakeholders when and where necessary


- Liase with key cross-functional teams - including Franchise, Development, Production, Marketing and Digital Consumer Products to build brands and support new business opportunities


- Conduct regular market research to inspire innovation within product development and establish unique brand positioning at retail

Key Requirements

- Current on the latest fashion and product trends


- Ability to clearly articulate creative vision to internal and external stakeholders and provide direction on product and line development while considering manufacturing needs and limitations


- A proactive leader and team player who can both think big and execute on the smallest details


- Excellent project management skills and ability to work under tight deadlines


- Expertise in relevant design and product approval platforms


- Knowledge of the children's media and CP landscape and general market awareness of brands targeted to kids ages 2-15


- Experience and Education: Degree in product/industrial/fashion design and/or relevant work experience; minimum of 5-7 years of experience


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Why work with us?




Perks! Perks! Perks! Not only is 9 Story Media Group / Brown Bag Films an amazing place full of artists, animators and creators from all corners of the industry, but we focus on helping staff grow and develop in their careers and make them long time team members. Along with a great work environment we offer first-rate health + dental benefits, summer hours, paid Health and Wellness Days, vacation periods that multiply with tenure, and more! We may love animation, but we love our employees even more!




Our Toronto office can be found in the cool and trendy Liberty Village with over 200 artists working on award winning animated children's content. You will benefit from a competitive compensation package, interesting work and a fun/supportive work environment.




Applicants need to be legally eligible to work in Canada.




We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.




9 Story Media takes diversity and inclusion seriously and we are committed to ensuring equity in the recruitment process. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, Racialized and LGBT2SQ+ communities, candidates from a range of ages and religious beliefs and people with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. Should you require accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please let us know your requirements when contacted.




As a company, we deliver high-quality kids' content, and we seek to have diverse characters so that all our audience feels represented. We also want the same for our own workforce, and 9 Story Media is committed to looking for all kinds of talent to build a diverse workforce in which all identities are represented and respected.