Associate Manager, Partnerships & Business Management

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

The Entertainment Partnerships & Business Management team manages Mattel’s global relationships with world-class entertainment partners, including Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., Microsoft, Netflix, and others. We serve as portfolio managers across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, partnering closely with regional and local commercial teams, product, marketing, and finance to drive global licensed businesses.

Within this group, the Disney portfolio represents Mattel’s largest and most complex licensed partnership, with sustained annual revenue approaching $750M. The Associate Manager plays a critical role in supporting and scaling this business through strong commercial ownership, analytical rigor, and cross-functional leadership.

The Opportunity: 

The Associate Manager will support day-to-day commercial management of a defined portion of the Disney portfolio. This role partners closely with the Director to drive commercial planning, forecasting, and execution across global and regional teams.

This position is ideal for a high-performing commercial lead who can independently own workstreams, influence without authority, and translate data into clear actions, while continuing to build toward broader portfolio ownership over time.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as a key cross-functional connector across product, marketing, sales, finance, and regional teams
• Drive meeting agendas, synthesize discussions, and ensure follow-up actions are clearly defined and executed
• Support alignment between global strategy and regional execution

Partner Support

• Support ongoing collaboration with Disney counterparts through strong preparation, follow-through, and performance tracking
• Ensure internal plans and external communications are aligned, accurate, and timely

Operational Excellence

• Manage multiple priorities and timelines in a fast-paced environment
• Anticipate issues before they escalate and bring forward thoughtful solutions

Commercial Planning & Forecasting

• Own commercial planning and forecasting for assigned franchises and categories within the Disney portfolio
• Support integrated portfolio forecasts, identifying risks, opportunities, and trade-offs in partnership with commercial teams
• Track performance against plan and proactively surface insights and implications

Insights & Analysis

• Translate POS, shipment, and market performance data into clear insights and recommendations for internal teams and licensor partners
• Lead competitive and category analysis (e.g., Circana) to identify whitespace opportunities and inform product and commercial strategies
• Develop clear, executive-ready materials that support decision-making

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years of experience in global strategy or global/international marketing/sales
• MBA preferred
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority
• Proven analytical skills with the ability to distill complex data into clear, actionable insights
• Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills; Tableau or similar BI tools a plus
• Project-management mindset -- organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable owning workstreams end-to-end
• Global mindset and comfort working across regions and cultures
• Self-starter who thrives in ambiguity and is eager to take on increasing ownership

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!

How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy