Manager Corporate Development

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 Global Licensing & Entertainment Partnerships Group defines and drives Mattel's key strategic initiatives in high-impact areas such as in-licensing acquisitions, strategic partnerships, new business model explorations and emerging markets expansion. The group partners with executive management at both the corporate and divisional level, leading high-profile cross-functional teams as we expand our rented brand portfolio and coordinate the global commercial execution of our licensed properties.

Mattel, Inc. is seeking a Manager of Corporate Development & License Acquisitions to join the Global Licensing & Entertainment Partnerships team based at our global headquarters in El Segundo, CA. This person will work both externally with our Licensor partners and internally with our Global Brands Team to identify strategic opportunities to source licensed properties across our toy category portfolio; as well as source and evaluate new business opportunities (including IP, brands, category, etc.)

and assist in deal structuring, negotiation, and financial evaluation of such opportunities. This role will provide the opportunity to work with cross-functional teams (inclusive of Marketing, Finance, Legal, and Commercial) in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Reports into the Director of Corporate Development.

Corporate Development

• Work with partnership teams to create opportunities and validate strategic rationale and financial propositions with a primary focus on our Fisher-Price division in the infant/preschool category
• Provide quantitative, qualitative, and analytical support for deal evaluation
• Build valuation models
• Identify risks and opportunities to long range strategies and develop mitigation strategies
• Engage and support teams across a range of offices to understand business proposals and reconcile gaps with standard deal structure.
• Deal negotiation and documentation
• Mobilize internal resources across multiple teams to validate partnership rationale and proposed deal terms
• Develop innovative deal structures to address partnership sensitivities while protecting Mattel short and long-term interests
• Prepare materials for discussion and approvals at the executive management level, as appropriate

• License Acquisition
• Own and manage Licensor relationship; ongoing relationship management, including issue resolution, and forecasts
• Vet and evaluate new opportunities with Global Brands Team
• Debrief Corporate Development team on upcoming opportunities in prep for DPD draft and negotiations, or when relevant conversations with Licensor happen; support contract negotiations when necessary
• Attend Trade shows, Summits, Meetings with Licensors

• At least 3-5 years of experience in in-house strategic/business development, strategy consulting, private equity, and/or investment banking role; preferably within the toy/entertainment industry
• BA/BS in a relevant analytic-oriented field
• Strong financial analysis and modeling background
• Impeccable project management and organizational skills, with proven ability to deliver measurable results in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, leadership, and communications skills
• Strong client relationship ability
• Pulse on pop culture and entertainment
• A high degree of curiosity around business processes, translating strategy to execution and a passion for continuous improvement
• Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills and familiarity in/with Tableau

• MBA from top-tier program
• Licensing experience a plus
• Experience…