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:
Mattel's Future Lab is at the forefront of play innovation, expanding beyond traditional toy categories into tech-enabled products, digital experiences, and services. Future Lab is pioneering the future of play by identifying, validating, and launching innovative concepts that meet evolving consumer needs while delivering business growth.
Future Lab operates through four core verticals:
- The Discovery Team: Focused on harvesting, incubating, and validating new ideas.
- The Product Studio: Responsible for the development, launch, and operation of validated products.
- The Strategic Partnerships team: Manages external innovation, strategic partnerships, financial oversight, and business storytelling to drive Future Lab's success.
- The MDS Digital Strategy: Focused on long-range strategic planning, financial and operational excellence. The team identifies growth opportunities, optimizes portfolio performance, and ensures alignment with Mattel's enterprise goals.
The Opportunity:
As Director, Strategic Partnerships, you will lead and oversee Future Lab's external innovation pipeline and partnerships strategy. You will be responsible for evaluating and securing high-impact partnerships, managing business development initiatives, and ensuring we are accelerating Mattel's digital footprint through meaningul strategic partnerships.
Do you or someone you know have a passion to create products that inspire, entertain, and delight fans of all ages?
Join us to create the future of play.
What Your Impact Will Be:
- Strategic Leadership and Partnership Development
- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic partnerships roadmap that aligns with Future Lab's business objectives.
- Identify, evaluate, and negotiate high-value partnerships in AI, UGC Platforms, and emerging technologies.
- Lead deal negotiations, licensing agreements, and joint ventures, ensuring alignment with Mattel's strategic priorities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with executives, external partners, and key industry players to drive innovation and growth.
- Market Analysis and Competitive Intelligence
- Track market trends and competitive intelligence, identifying emerging opportunities in AI, UGC Platforms, connected experiences, and across the emerging technologies landscape.
- Conduct deep dives into industry benchmarks, best practices, and new technologies to inform partnership strategies and market opportunities.
- Storytelling and Business Communication
- Collaborate in the creation of high-impact presentations, ensuring storytelling and messaging align with Future Lab's vision.
- Work closely with the Creative Strategy Lead to develop compelling pitch decks and executive-level briefings.
- Ensure that partnership narratives are persuasive, visually engaging, and strategically sound.
- Team Leadership and Development
- Lead and mentor a high-performing business development team.
- Foster a collaborative, results-driven culture, ensuring team members are empowered to execute and grow in their roles.
- Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, providing insights on partnership opportunities and business growth strategies
What We're Looking For:
- 8+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, corporate strategy, and/or business development.
- Proven track record in structuring, negotiating, and executing high-value deals in gaming, digital entertainment, or emerging technology sectors.
- Strong financial acumen, with experience in P&L management, revenue forecasting, and business modeling.
- Strong storytelling and presentation skills, with an ability to craft compelling business cases and pitches for executive stakeholders.
- Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with a passion for mentoring and developing talent.
- MBA preferred or equivalent experience in business strategy, finance, or corporate development.
- Demonstrated agrowth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
The annual base salary range for this position is between $189,000 and $230,000
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary 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.
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 athttps://jobs.mattel.com/andwww.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
Mattel, Inc.and Subsidiaries
Jul 23, 2025