Sr Licensing Associate, Hardlines EMEA

Company Description

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

Sitting within the EMEA Consumer Products organization, the team provides leadership and direction for the development and execution of Consumer Products strategy across Mattel’s portfolio of brands. We steer brand, category and financial objectives by building and growing partnerships with regional, multi-territory and local licensees and retailers. We work closely with Global Consumer Products, Franchise, Brand, Marketing, Product Development, Creative, Retail Development, Finance, Legal, Audit and other cross-functional partners.

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

We are seeking a Senior Associate to support the execution and growth of Mattel’s licensed Hardlines business across EMEA. The role will manage selected partners and projects, support new business development and coordinate product, commercial and marketing activity through the licensing lifecycle. This is a hands-on role for a commercially minded professional who can build strong partner relationships, maintain operational discipline and help deliver growth across a varied category portfolio.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

PARTNER & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

• Manage day-to-day relationships and operational activity for assigned EMEA Hardlines partners.
• Support partner business plans, forecasts, product line plans, retail calendars and marketing activity.
• Coordinate regular partner meetings, track actions and monitor performance against revenue, royalty and launch objectives.
• Maintain accurate partner information, commercial documentation and internal reporting.

NEW BUSINESS SUPPORT

• Research category trends, whitespace opportunities and prospective licensing partners.
• Support preparation of brand pitches, commercial presentations and partner proposals.
• Assist with deal development, approvals, contract coordination, onboarding and renewal processes.
• Contribute ideas to expand existing partnerships across products, brands and EMEA markets.

PRODUCT & ACTIVATION EXECUTION

• Coordinate with Product Development, Creative, Quality, Brand, Franchise, Retail Development, Marketing, Finance and Legal to progress products and programs.
• Monitor key milestones and help resolve issues to ensure products launch on time and meet Mattel standards.
• Support retail and marketing activation for priority products and partnerships.

INSIGHTS & COLLABORATION

• Track category, competitor, consumer and retailer developments and share relevant insights with the team.
• Build productive relationships across EMEA markets and contribute to the sharing of best practices.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For: 

• 3+ years of experience in consumer products, licensing, Hardlines, sales, marketing or account coordination.
• Good understanding of licensing, product development, retail and marketing processes, with strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Experience managing commercial partners, forecasts, product pipelines and multiple workstreams, combined with strong project-management discipline.
• Strong analytical, presentation, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to coordinate creative, commercial and senior stakeholders.
• Creative sensitivity and interest in premium brands, culture, fashion and entertainment, with the ability to balance brand ambition and commercial realities.
• Proactive, highly organized and comfortable working independently within a fast-paced, global and matrixed organization.
• Proven sales negotiation experience and commercial thinking mindset
• Solutions oriented with ability to ‘think outside the box’ to deliver additional revenue and opportunities
• Ability to influence others; persuasive and able to present messaging impactfully
• Strong relationship builder and able to navigate internal and external relationships and stakeholders with ease

Additional Information

What We Offer: 

• Gross annual salary range of GBP 47,040.00 - GBP 55,860.00
•  Bonus scheme: Participation in Mattel Incentive Plan (MIP) with the target of 7.5% of base salary, payout is determined by company and individual performance results
• Paid time off: 25 vacation days (with option to buy up to 5 extra days) + 2 volunteer days/year + a day off on your birthday!
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance program: Access to Help@Hand (Unum), Modern Health, Headspace, and Maven
• Contributory pension scheme
• Private health insurance
• Dental insurance & dental service app
• Life & disability insurance
• Employee discount program "Be well at Mattel"
• Mattel products discounts
• Family benefits program: 24 weeks off (for 1st caregiver) or 12 weeks off (for co-parent) fully paid on the arrival of new child, return to work program, path to parenthood, and family care leave

Mattel’s total compensation package is based on objective, gender-neutral criteria such as job grade, work location, relevant skills, and experience. This information is provided to enable informed and transparent consideration and negotiation of employment terms. If your profile is retained and we schedule an interview, we will share further details on Mattel UK Limited’s total rewards package. Please note that (some of) the benefits above may change over time, due to changes in the company policy or in legislation. We will not ask about your previous salary history.

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 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!  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.

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 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.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy