Director, Brand Finance

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.

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

Mattel is seeking a Director of Brand Finance to lead financial oversight across multiple categories within our Global Brand Team (GBT) organization. Based in El Segundo, CA and reporting to the VP of Brand Finance, this role plays a pivotal part in managing a $6B+ portfolio spanning categories such as Dolls, Vehicles, ITPS, Action Figures, Games, and Building Sets.

The Director will serve as a strategic finance partner to Category General Managers, driving brand strategy, performance management, and growth initiatives. This position also carries cross-category responsibilities, which can include (now or in future) in-licensing finance, global design support, brand P&Ls, GBT overhead and advertising, FP&A and Reporting.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Operational Leadership

• Lead the financial planning process for Toy Line Development, setting and tracking objectives across categories and multiple line years
• Analyze financial results, identify trends, and assess budget compliance and profitability
• Deliver performance insights to key stakeholders through robust reporting and analysis
• Manage financial elements of the brand portfolio, including:
  • Pro forma modeling for new brand launches and growth opportunities
  • Scenario planning to evaluate long-term financial implications of company goals
  • Oversight of line margins, SG&A, advertising, and overall profit targets
  • Portfolio optimization against SKU productivity and CAPEX objectives
  • Execution of OPG (Optimizing for Profitable Growth) strategies
• Lead core GBT Finance processes such as Brand P&L management, investor relations support, long-range pipeline planning, cost factor updates, and systems enhancements

In-Licensing Finance

• Conduct financial assessments for in-licensing partnerships, including pro forma P&Ls and deal performance tracking
• Lead quarterly licensor forecasting in collaboration with Commercial In-Licensing and Marketing teams
• Approve in-licensing CAS and royalty payments, ensuring financial accuracy and compliance
• Oversee portions of royalty accounting, including shortfalls, prepaid write-offs, audits, and relief assessments

Strategic Insights

• Monitor internal and external POS data to evaluate market share and competitive positioning
• Partner with brand leaders to explore innovation, strategic growth, competitive intelligence, and market trends
• Collaborate cross-functionally (FP&A, Supply Chain, GBT, Franchise teams, Strategy) to align financial inputs with corporate strategies

Continuous Improvement

• Drive finance process innovation, establishing scalable, best-in-class policies and practices aligned with evolving business needs

Leadership & Team Development

• Serve as a trusted advisor to GBT and finance leadership, supporting strategic initiatives and long-term goals
• Mentor and develop a team of 8+ finance professionals, depending on category scope
• Lead performance management, training, and professional development initiatives

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressive finance experience across business development, corporate strategy, FP&A, brand finance, reporting, or divisional leadership roles.
• Master’s Degree preferred; MBA strongly desired
• Proven ability to lead within a matrixed organization, navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities with agility
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical capabilities and business acumen
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Internal candidates to be considered based on experience relative to the position
• 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 $180,000 and $220,000.
**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.

Additional Information

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 at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.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
Mattel Investor Highlights