Counsel - Sustainability

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 Team:

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Law Department, where we embrace Mattel’s values and goals by providing thoughtful and timely advice to all Mattel business functions around the world.  We strive to find creative, practical solutions that prudently manage risks and contribute to Mattel’s success, and we practice law in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and ethics. 

The Opportunity: 

We’re seeking a thoughtful, collaborative, motivated, and detail-oriented attorney to join the Global Commercial & Operations (GCO) Team of our Law Department, primarily to support our Sustainability & Social Impact / ESG (Sustainability) practice, and to support other GCO matters. You will play a key role in monitoring, evaluating and supporting compliance with global Sustainability laws and regulations, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the SEC’s climate rules and other similar reporting regulations, as well as non-reporting Sustainability regulations. You will also advise on Sustainability-related aspects of commercial operations, supply chain matters, general Sustainability communications, including reviewing and advising on disclosures with ESG rating agencies, and support the company’s data integrity efforts for Sustainability data. This full-time position will be located in Mattel’s headquarters in El Segundo, CA, and it will evolve as Mattel’s needs evolve.

Although this position will be primarily and heavily focused on Sustainability matters, over time, you will support other GCO matters.  In addition to support of Sustainability, the GCO team also provides a critical, valued role for a wide variety of Mattel groups, including Commercial/Sales, Global Supply Chain, Logistics/Procurement, and the Global Sustainability & Social Impact team (GSSI), among others.  In your role, you’ll be interacting with leaders in various areas of the business, including the GSSI team and other key members of the Global Supply Chain and Commercial teams.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Providing legal support on a wide variety of Sustainability legal matters, including:

• Monitoring, reviewing, analyzing, and advising on existing and emerging Sustainability laws, rules, and frameworks globally, including the CSRD, the SEC’s climate rules, the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), etc.
• Supporting compliance with Sustainability-related and human capital management laws, rules and regulations, and providing legal advice on designing and implementing Sustainability efforts and related disclosures, including:
  • Supporting internal business teams in building processes and mechanisms aimed at ensuring compliance, including Sustainability due diligence, assurance and reporting frameworks globally
  • Partnering with the GSSI team, and other subject matter experts across the company, to review, advise, and otherwise provide legal support with respect to Sustainability regulatory disclosures (including annual CSRD reporting and other forthcoming requirements)
  • Working collaboratively with members of the GSSI team, financial reporting, risk management and internal audit teams, among others, on Sustainability reporting matters generally
• Supporting Sustainability initiatives through guidance, management, analysis, drafting, and negotiation, as applicable, with respect to Mattel’s general commercial operations, including sourcing and other partnerships, certifications, agreements with consultants, etc.
• Reviewing and advising on internal and external Sustainability communications, including voluntary Sustainability disclosures, ESG questionnaire responses (or other similar voluntary reporting frameworks), marketing and adverting claims or assets, investor communications and internal training
• Supporting the company’s efforts to build and maintain processes to ensure data integrity for Sustainability data
• Supporting and partnering with the Government Affairs team to review and advise on advocacy efforts with respect to emerging Sustainability laws, regulations, and frameworks globally

Providing legal support on other GCO matters, including support of commercial sales agreements and initiatives, global supply chain agreements and initiatives, a wide variety of other agreements and related matters, managing commercial / partner disputes related to the foregoing, advising on related laws and regulations, and providing support on strategic transactions and corporate restructurings.

Collaborating with other members of the Law Department, senior leadership, business stakeholders, and outside counsel to identify, evaluate and resolve complex legal questions and issues in the areas outlined above

What We’re Looking For: 

• Juris Doctor degree with strong academic history from an ABA-accredited law school required
• The ideal candidate will have at least 6+ years of experience as an attorney, with at least 2+ covering a broad range of Sustainability matters, and including a comprehensive understanding of Sustainability disclosure rules (e.g. CSRD), frameworks, and various rating systems, and experience serving as a legal and strategic advisor on Sustainability issues (in a law firm or in-house)
  • While a candidate need not have expertise in all matters listed above, a demonstrated track record of supporting a wide range of Sustainability related matters is required 
  • Subject matter expertise or exposure in one or more of the following areas (or other similar areas) would be a plus: GHG accounting protocols (e.g. WRI/WBCSD, PCAF), SBTi, GRI, CDP, TCFD, SASB, LEED
• Prior in-house legal experience is preferred
• Ability to cover a wide range of Sustainability-related practice areas and matters, including with respect to new and emerging Sustainability laws impacting the business
• A strong and proven ability to figure out and address new matters and challenges
• A plus (but not requirement) is experience providing legal support to commercial and/or supply chain functions outside of Sustainability matters.
• Ability to effectively communicate legal and compliance issues verbally and in writing in a clear and understandable manner to all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload and focus on critical priorities independently
• Excellent judgment and professional maturity, including strong executive presence
• Must be both a capable leader and individual contributor, as well as an effective partner to the business
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and track record of effectively completing multi-task, multi-deadline, cross-functional projects, on time and on budget
• Highly organized and meticulous
• Selfless and team-oriented attitude
• Strong work ethic and ability to product high-quality work under deadline pressure
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence through strong interpersonal skills and effective collaboration
• Good standing with at least one state bar and, if not licensed to practice in California, then a commitment to register to practice in California pursuant to California’s in-house counsel registration requirements.
• 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 $140,000 and $190,000
**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.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. 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.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:

We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

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 more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights