Associate Manager, Location Based Entertainment

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:

Location Based Entertainment is a global team creating live experiences to inspire wonder in the next generation. Our goal is to enable unforgettable memories and strengthen consumer engagement with our brands.  The LBE team manage the licensing process including; pitching, partner investment, project development and relationship management for Family Entertainment Centers, Traveling Exhibitions, Live Entertainment, Hospitality, Theme Parks and Experiential Retail.  Our department is revenue generating, monetizing Mattel’s IP within the Location Based Entertainment industry. 

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

Joining the Location Based Entertainment team, as part of Franchise Management, in an Associate Manager role for the global team. Based in the Los Angeles office, reporting into Manager, Location Based Entertainment.

Working with Mattel brands and supporting the management of the Location Based Entertainment business.  The Associate Manager, Location Based Entertainment, is responsible for introducing Mattel brands to licensees, researching potential new partnerships, managing the contracting of existing business, implementing the licensee onboarding process, project-development of existing and new projects (including managing the creative, merchandise and marketing planning with relevant departments) and leading the account management of partners across the portfolio.

LBE has proven to be a key factor in increasing consumer engagement with our brands.  This position creates those experiences as well as implementing research and strategy, working with external partners and internal departments to grow the Live Events business and support other lines of business.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Create memorable consumer experiences that tie into overall brand strategies, and increase our consumer’s engagement with our brands, whilst also generating revenue and merchandise opportunities.
• Taking ownership of the account management and development of certain Live Entertainment licensees and attractions.
• Evaluate operational performance to identify and manage potential improvements/upgrades along with venue/location/tour routes.
• Ensure licensees maintain operational excellence on Mattel projects.
• Work with existing partners on marketing and creating additional revenue generating opportunities, (including third party spend; photography, food & bev, merchandise).
• Drive business development for experiences and attractions across certain categories within Location Based Entertainment team’s scope, including building the pipeline. 
• Contract management includes creating pitch materials, processing new deals and maintaining relationships with Licensees, Legal and LRM teams. 
• Work with Mattel teams in the various locations to coordinate efforts and deliver attractions for priority brands in priority markets.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of priority Mattel Brands (style guides, content, priorities etc.) and the LBE strategy. 
• Supporting the manager with day-to-day admin; data analysis, budget management and project tracking.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• 4 – 6 years of experience working in Location Based Entertainment, licensing and/or project management
• Experience in managing projects/accounts is essential; ability to take ownership of projects, see projects through completion and deliver on deadline.
• Knowledge of large-scale attraction operations, including concepting and design.
• Strong research skills and thorough knowledge of the attractions business and key players in that space.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, comfortable speaking to external parties
• To be a flexible member of the team and the ability to develop and nurture strong relationships both internally and externally.
• Patient, structured and clear communicator with ability to react positively to all challenges.  Excellent interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication is essential.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential for use in project management, deck creation and finance tracking. Proficiency in Photoshop/Editing tools would be highly advantageous.
• Business acumen, tons of initiative and the desire to always go the extra mile.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively in a pressurized environment.
• Can work independently and with a team.
• Forward thinker; creative problem-solving is very important.
• Looking for a candidate with excellent attention to detail, high standards and strong work ethic.
• Occasional travel is required as part of this role.
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $95,200-119,000.**
**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.

Additional Information

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.

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 more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized 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.

Videos to watch:
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