Manager, Global Media

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 Opportunity: 

The Global Media Manager is a category‑level execution and governance role responsible for leading development, activation, and performance optimization of media strategy for assigned global categories. Operating within established Global Media Strategy frameworks, this role owns day‑to‑day media strategy development, agency oversight, and performance delivery while ensuring execution remains aligned with brand objectives and enterprise standards.

This role represents the first fully execution‑owning layer in the Global Media organization and is accountable for turning strategy into results.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Category Media Strategy Development & Governance

• Lead development and governance of global media strategy for assigned categories, aligned to Brand Briefs and Integrated Communications Plans.
• Ensure category strategies adhere to global frameworks while addressing specific audience, channel, and performance needs.
• Translate strategic direction into actionable media plans that agencies and partners can execute effectively.

Media Activation & Agency Oversight

• Own the day‑to‑day media planning, activation, and optimization for assigned categories, supported by IAT agency partners.
• Serve as primary Mattel point of contact for category‑specific media agency execution.
• Monitor campaign delivery and ensure activation meets quality, timing, and budget expectations.
• Provide clear guidance to agency teams and ensure deliverables are accurate, complete, and on‑strategy.

Performance Management & Optimization

• Monitor campaign performance and drive in‑flight optimization to improve efficiency, ROAS, and effectiveness.
• Review performance data, identify trends, and flag risks or opportunities.
• Escalate major performance issues, investment shifts, or executional risks to senior leadership as appropriate.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Partner with Global Brand teams to ensure media strategy reflects brand priorities and translates consistently across markets.
• Coordinate with Media Operations, Analytics & Insights, and Finance to support integrated delivery, reporting, and budget management.
• Support major planning moments (e.g., global tentpoles, launches, refreshes) at the category level.

Execution Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure agency execution is on time, in budget, and aligned to performance expectations.
• Contribute to advancement of media best practices, learnings, and optimization approaches within assigned categories.
• Support testing, learning agendas, and innovation pilots as defined by Global Media leadership.

Decision Rights

• Owns
  • Media strategy development and execution for assigned global categories.
  • In‑flight optimization decisions within approved investment guardrails.
• Approves / Vetoes
  • Agency recommendations that are not aligned with approved Global Media Strategy for the assigned category.
• Influences
  • Category‑level investment shifts and optimization decisions.
  • Evolution of category‑specific media best practices.

Scope & Impact

• Category‑specific global scope.
• Direct accountability for delivery and performance of assigned media investment.
• Impacts category demand creation, brand performance, and media ROI.
• Feeds performance insights and execution learnings upward to inform strategy refinement.

Key Stakeholders

• Senior Global Media Manager (L5)
• International Senior Media Managers (L5)
• Global Brand Teams
• IAT Media Agency Partners
• Media Operations
• Analytics & Insights
• Finance

Required Experience & Capabilities

• Strong foundation in media planning and activation across multiple channels.
• Experience managing agency execution and performance optimization.
• Analytical mindset with ability to interpret data and recommend clear actions.
• Strong cross‑functional communication and collaboration skills.
• Detail‑oriented with strong execution discipline and follow‑through.

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.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:
This role is an in-office role Monday-Thursday, and work from home on Fridays. 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 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.
Beware of recruiting scams: Mattel will only contact you through official @mattel.com or @smartrecruiters.com email addresses and will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information during the hiring process.

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.

The pay range for this position is between $126,000 and $158,000 annual. 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. 
 

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy