Associate Manager, Corporate Development

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, entertain 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 Global Licensing & Entertainment Partnership Group defines and drives Mattel’s key strategic initiatives in high-impact areas such as in-licensing acquisitions, strategic partnerships, new business model explorations and emerging markets expansion. The group partners with executive management at both the corporate and divisional level, leading high-profile cross-functional teams as we expand our rented brand portfolio and coordinate the global commercial execution of our licensed properties

The Opportunity Mattel, Inc. is seeking an Associate Manager of Corporate Development to join the Global Licensing & Entertainment Partnerships team based at our global headquarters in El Segundo, CA. This person will work with our Global Brands Team to identify strategic opportunities to source licensed properties for new toy platforms in our pre-school and vehicles business; and assist in the deal structuring, negotiation, and financial evaluation of such opportunities. This role will provide the opportunity to work with cross-functional teams (inclusive of Marketing, Finance, Legal, and Commercial) in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Reports into the Vice-President of Corporate Development

What Your Impact Will Be

• Build valuation models
• Work with partnership teams to create opportunities and validate strategic rationale and financial propositions with a primary focus on our Fisher-Price division in the infant/preschool category
• Deal negotiation and documentation
• Engage and support teams across a range of offices to understand business proposals and reconcile gaps with standard deal structure.
• Identify risks and opportunities to long range strategies and develop mitigation strategies
• Mobilize internal resources across multiple teams to validate partnership rationale and proposed deal terms
• Provide quantitative, qualitative, and analytical support for deal evaluation
• Prepare materials for discussion and approvals at the executive management level, as appropriate.
• Develop innovative deal structures to address partnership sensitivies while protecting Mattel short and long-term interests

What We’re Looking For

Basic Requirements

• A high degree of curiosity around business processes, translating strategy to execution and a passion for continuous improvement
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, leadership, and communications skills
• Pulse on pop culture and entertainment
• BA/BS in a relevant analytic-oriented field
• Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills and familiarity in/with Tableau
• Strong financial analysis and modeling background
• Strong client relationship ability
• Impeccable project management and organizational skills, with proven ability to deliver measurable results in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• At least 3 years of experience in in-house strategic/business development, strategy consulting, private equity, and/or investment banking role; preferably within the toy/entertainment industry

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with theatrical, television, and/or mobile/video game production, publishing and/or
• Licensing experience a plus
• MBA from top-tier program

distribution, a plus.

• Experience/knowledge on deals/transactions with non-fungible tokens
• Passion for toys, gaming, kids/family entertainment and/or early childhood learning & development

Key Characteristics

• Must be a strong leader, able to lead cross functional teams and meetings with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Self-starter/able to get things done in an entrepreneurial fashion
• Ability to turn analysis into actionable objectives and act with passion and perseverance to achieve desired outcomes
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
• Problem solver and intellectually curious

The annual base salary range for this position is $120,000.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

What It’s Like To Work Here

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation 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 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.
• 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.

Our Approach to Flexible Work

We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

Who We Are

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries 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 children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel is recognized for the second year in a row as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

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

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.