EMEA Product Development Manager – Toys, Games & Promotions

Location: London – hybrid, approximately one day per week onsite
Contract: Maternity cover, 20 October 2026–19 September 2027
Rate: £230.77 per day PAYE
Travel: Some international travel required

Our client, a leading global entertainment and media organisation, is looking for an experienced Product Development Manager to oversee the development of toys, games and promotional products across EMEA.

This is a creative and hands-on position translating well-known entertainment franchises, characters and stories into compelling consumer products. Approximately 70% of the role will focus on providing creative product-development support to a major global toy partner.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the development of toys, games and promotional products across EMEA.
  
  
• Translate entertainment franchises and characters into creative product concepts.
  
  
• Provide creative direction and product-development support to a major global toy partner.
  
  
• Collaborate with creative, commercial and franchise stakeholders, licensees and manufacturers.
  
  
• Create and review product designs, illustrations and graphic applications.
  
  
• Provide clear creative feedback and manage product-approval timelines.
  
  
• Ensure products comply with brand and franchise guidelines.
  
  
• Consider manufacturing capabilities, product construction and packaging requirements throughout development.
  
  
• Research consumer trends, illustration styles, competitor products and developments within the toys and games market.
  
  
• Maintain consistently high creative and technical standards across all projects.
  
  
• Share product-development best practices with the wider team.
  
  

Essential skills and experience

• A minimum of five years’ experience in 3D product design, toy development or toy manufacturing.
  
  
• A design degree, technical qualification or equivalent practical experience.
  
  
• Advanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills.
  
  
• Strong experience with relevant 3D design software.
  
  
• Excellent product-design and illustration skills.
  
  
• Knowledge of toy packaging, manufacturing processes and the technical construction of products and components.
  
  
• Strong understanding of design and consumer trends within the toys and games market.
  
  
• Experience presenting creative concepts and recommendations to stakeholders.
  
  
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work effectively to tight deadlines.
  
  
• Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder-management skills.
  
  
• A proactive, tenacious and solutions-focused approach.
  
  
• Working knowledge of InDesign, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  
  
• Availability to travel when required.
  
  

Desirable

• Previous experience within an entertainment, licensing or franchise-led organisation.
  
  
• Experience working with major toy manufacturers, licensees or global consumer-product partners.
  
  
• Knowledge of product development across multiple EMEA markets.
  
  

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced toy or consumer-product specialist who combines creative flair with strong technical manufacturing knowledge.

Please apply with your CV and relevant portfolio examples.