Associate Manager, Brand Communications

About the role

The Global Brand Communications team leads the development and execution of integrated earned media strategies across Mattel’s iconic portfolio, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Masters of the Universe, and more. The team drives impactful storytelling that strengthens brand reputation, amplifies cultural relevance, and delivers measurable business impact through global communications programs.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategic planning, ensuring programs are insight-driven, culturally relevant, and aligned with broader business objectives while delivering high-impact results.
• Manage multiple workstreams, influencing cross-functional partners, and contributing to high-impact storytelling that generates meaningful earned media results.
• Support the development and execution of global communications strategies, contributing to campaign planning and leading key components of program rollout.
• Support day-to-day decisions within your scope while helping shape communication approaches and campaign strategies.
• Draft and oversee the creation of high-quality communications materials, including press releases, media alerts, pitches, and fact sheets that support key tentpole campaigns, product launches, and seasonal programs.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and external partners, including agencies, licensors/licensees, and event teams.
• Manage external media relations efforts by building and maintaining relationships with trade, business, consumer, and entertainment press outlets and managing logistics and execution of key events and media activations, including multi-brand trade events.
• Review, vet, and partner on influencer and social amplification strategies to evaluate risk and extend campaign reach to digital platforms.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on campaign performance, translating insights into actionable recommendations for future programs by tracking industry trends, media landscape shifts, and cultural moments to inform proactive storytelling and communications strategies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in public relations/communications (agency or in-house), ideally with a strong foundation in media relations, creative development, and/or project management.
• Ability to efficiently handle and time-manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, adapt to shifting priorities, and be very detail-oriented.
• Good interpersonal skills, including a positive, cooperative attitude - both inside and outside the department.
• Demonstrated experience owning and leading communications campaigns or projects end-to-end, with accountability for results.
• A keen interest in the ever-changing cultural landscape and creative brand building.
• Proven ability to drive measurable outcomes, including earned media impact, campaign visibility, and successful launches.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to operate independently within defined scope while contributing to broader strategy.
• Experience leading cross-functional workstreams and managing internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong media relations experience across traditional and non-traditional channels.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while driving work forward.
• Experience managing external agencies or vendors and holding them accountable for performance.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a demonstrated track record of ownership, leadership, and delivering results.
• A strong writer and storyteller with clear, confident verbal communication and presentation skills.

Skills

• Strategic thinker with strong executional follow-through.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to navigate shifting priorities.

Benefits

Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Pay

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.

Schedule

Based in Los Angeles, with the ability to work closely with cross-functional partners and media in a fast-paced environment.