Director, Talent Partnerships

The Opportunity: 

We are seeking a Director of Talent Partnerships to lead the development of high-impact global talent collaborations across its iconic portfolio of brands. This role will drive strategic partnerships with celebrities entertainment talent athletes and cultural leaders to expand franchise relevance unlock new business opportunities and accelerate brand growth.

Sitting at the intersection of entertainment licensing and brand strategy this leader will identify structure and operationalize talent-driven partnerships that extend Mattels IP into new cultural and commercial spaces. The role requires both sophisticated deal-making capabilities and the ability to translate partnerships into scalable cross-platform business initiatives.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Strategic Talent Partnerships

• Define and execute a global talent partnerships strategy aligned with Mattels franchise and brand priorities
• Identify and secure partnerships with celebrities actors athletes and cultural figures that enhance brand storytelling and reach
• Translate cultural insights and entertainment trends into actionable partnership opportunities

Deal Structuring & Negotiation

• Lead end-to-end deal development including sourcing valuation structuring and negotiation of complex talent agreements
• Partner closely with legal and business affairs on contract development rights usage and compliance
• Structure deals that span multiple dimensions including licensing content consumer products marketing campaigns and co-created IP

Franchise & IP Expansion

• Leverage talent partnerships to extend Mattel brands into new categories markets and platforms (e.g. digital content collaborations experiential)
• Identify opportunities for talent-led product lines co-branded collections and long-term franchise integrations
• Ensure partnerships are additive to brand equity and consistent with franchise strategy

Cross-Functional Leadership & Execution

• Partner with global brand franchise licensing marketing PR and regional teams to bring partnerships to life
• Drive alignment across internal stakeholders and manage complex multi-market execution plans
• Oversee end-to-end partnership lifecycle from concept through launch and optimization

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with talent agencies management firms studios and key industry partners
• Position Mattel as a partner of choice within the entertainment and talent ecosystem

Performance & Operations

• Establish KPIs and measurement frameworks to evaluate partnership impact across brand cultural relevance and revenue
• Manage budgets timelines and internal processes to ensure operational excellence
• Continuously refine partnership strategies based on performance insights and market dynamics

Qualifications :

What Were Looking For:

• 10 years of experience in talent partnerships entertainment licensing or strategic brand partnerships
• Proven track record of structuring and negotiating high-value complex deals with talent and their representatives
• Deep network across talent agencies (e.g. CAA WME UTA) management firms and entertainment industry stakeholders
• Strong understanding of IP-driven business models licensing frameworks and brand partnerships
• Ability to operate at both a strategic and executional level across global markets
• Exceptional negotiation communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong cultural fluency and instinct for talent-brand fit
• Both exceptionally creative and business minded. This role sits at the intersection of developing big clever ideas that must also meet brand and client objectives and sell-through
• Fluent and passionate in entertainment/culture as well as brand advertising/marketing  with a desire to make your mark on both
• Highly creative organized strategically minded resourceful and an excellent communicator (both verbal and written). Someone with an entrepreneurial mindset and approach to everything they do: self-motivated forward-thinking accountable and committed
• Skilled at receiving evaluating and implementing feedback
• Experienced with your own POV to bring to the table possessing career-built knowledge of marketing and entertainment trends emerging media consumer insights and the latest digital/social/mobile/video/interactive technologies
• Flexible and enthusiastic to work within a fast-moving and ever-changing organization

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range however base pay will be determined based on a candidates 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. 

Additional Information :

Dont meet every single requirement At Mattel we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 Mattels 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 worlds 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.

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

Visit us at  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

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time