Associate Manager, Brand Communications

Mattel•El Segundo, CA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Manager, Global Brand Communications will play a key role in shaping and executing global public relations strategies across Mattel’s Vehicles, Action Figures, and Building Sets categories including brands like Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Thomas & Friends, Mattel Brick Shop, MEGA along with owned and licensed toy lines. This individual contributes to strategic planning, ensuring programs are insight-driven, culturally relevant, and aligned with broader business objective while delivering high-impact results. The ideal candidate is a proactive communicator and strong collaborator who can manage multiple workstreams, influence cross-functional partners, and contribute to high-impact storytelling that generates meaningful earned media results. This role partners closely with marketing, design, development, legal, agencies, and global teams to deliver best-in-class communications programs at scale.

Requirements

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
Strong writer and storyteller with clear, confident verbal communication and presentation skills
Based in Los Angeles, with the ability to work closely with cross-functional partners and media in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Support the development and execution of global communications strategies, contributing to campaign planning and leading key components of program rollout that advance Mattel’s growth objectives and brand strategies.
Deliver communications initiatives and drive measurable outcomes including visibility, engagement, and the overall success of key launches and campaigns.
Ensure executional excellence across external communications initiatives, including product launches, executive visibility efforts and global franchise expansion across categories.
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.
Support the coordination of cross-functional teams and external partners, including agencies, licensors/licensees and event teams.
Lead external media relations efforts by building and maintaining relationships with trade, business, consumer, and entertainment press outlets.
Manage 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.
Ensure communications efforts are aligned and effective by understanding Mattel’s brands and business priorities.
Take ownership, drive results, and lead with accountability.