Sr Manager, Partnerships Enablement (Brand Partnerships & Strategic Alliances)

Mattel•El Segundo, CA

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Partnerships Enablement is responsible for developing and operationalizing the frameworks, tools, and processes that enable best-in-class execution across Mattel's brand partnerships and strategic alliances portfolio. This position sits within the Brand Partnerships team and works in close partnership with Global Brand and Consumer Products & Experiences to ensure that collaborations are strategically aligned, brand-right, and executed with excellence. The role serves as a key connector across functions—translating brand and franchise priorities into actionable guidance for partners and internal stakeholders. This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and operational execution, with the ability to influence across a matrixed organization and drive consistency, quality, and speed across a diverse portfolio of collaborations.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in brand partnerships, strategic alliances, collaborations, or related fields
Experience in consumer products, entertainment, fashion, or lifestyle-driven brands
Strong understanding of brand management, co-branded partnerships, and go-to-market execution
Demonstrated ability to build scalable programs, frameworks, or operations
Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across functions and levels
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Operates independently with broad direction; accountable for delivering against defined business objectives
Leads complex, cross-functional initiatives across Brand Partnerships, Global Brand, and Consumer Products & Experiences
Influences Director- and VP-level stakeholders and contributes to strategic decision-making
Owns programs with measurable impact on partnership performance and execution
May mentor junior team members; limited or no direct people management

Responsibilities

Lead the development and evolution of enablement strategies supporting Mattel's brand partnerships and strategic alliances.
Build scalable frameworks and repeatable playbooks to support collaboration execution across brands and categories.
Translate Global Brand strategies and franchise priorities into clear, actionable guidance for partners and internal teams.
Design and implement structured onboarding for new brand partners and collaborators.
Define and standardize key milestones across the partnership lifecycle, including concept development, co-creation, launch planning, and in-market execution.
Identify execution gaps and implement solutions to improve speed-to-market and overall partnership impact.
Partner with Global Brand to ensure all collaborations authentically reflect brand DNA, positioning, and storytelling.
Develop guidelines and governance frameworks that reinforce brand integrity while enabling creative, culturally relevant partnerships.
Support priority and high-visibility partnerships with tailored enablement and execution support.
Collaborate closely with Consumer Products & Experiences, Global Brand, Legal and Finance to align partner initiatives with enterprise priorities.
Ensure partners are equipped with the right assets, insights, and timelines to execute effectively.
Serve as a central point of coordination across internal and external stakeholders.
Oversee development and maintenance of centralized partnership resources (e.g., toolkits, guidelines, asset libraries).
Drive adoption and optimization of partner-facing systems and collaboration tools.
Enhance the overall partner experience through improved communication, clarity, and access to resources.
Define and track KPIs related to partnership performance, execution quality, and enablement effectiveness.
Analyze performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across partnerships.
Provide reporting and strategic recommendations to leadership to optimize partnership outcomes.