Head of Global Experiences

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 Opportunity: 

Mattel is seeking a strategic, commercially driven, creative and innovative Head of Global Experiences to lead the global Experiences business and accelerate the growth of Mattel’s brands through compelling physical, immersive, and location-based experiences. 

Reporting to the Chief Consumer Products & Experiences Officer, this role will set the vision and global strategy for the Experiences portfolio, with responsibility for driving sustainable commercial growth, expanding Mattel’s presence across priority markets and experiential formats, strengthening strategic partnerships, and delivering distinctive consumer experiences that bring Mattel’s iconic brands and franchises to life. 

The Head of Global Experiences will lead an organization spanning Experiential Design, Experiential Retail, Commercial Operations, Marketing, and regional Experiences leadership, creating an integrated operating model that connects creative vision, commercial opportunity, partner execution, and consumer engagement.   

A key mandate is to strengthen Mattel's creative leadership in Experiences, ensuring Mattel plays an active role in shaping the stories, worlds and guest experiences that bring its brands to life, while balancing creative ambition with commercial viability, operational feasibility and scalability. 

This executive will be responsible for evolving the Experiences business from individual opportunities and partnerships into a scalable global growth platform—establishing clear portfolio priorities, identifying new markets and business models, strengthening operational discipline, and ensuring experiences deliver against Mattel’s brand, franchise, consumer, and financial objectives. 

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Lead the Global Experiences Strategy 

• Define and lead the long-term global strategy, vision, and growth roadmap for Mattel’s Experiences business. 

• Establish portfolio priorities across attractions, theme parks, waterparks, family entertainment centers, resorts, hospitality, destination experiences, live and touring experiences, events, and emerging experiential formats. 

• Identify and prioritize new markets, formats, partnership models, and business opportunities based on consumer demand, franchise potential, commercial attractiveness, and strategic fit. 

• Build a proactive global business development pipeline that enables Mattel to expand successful concepts and partnerships across brands, formats, and geographies. 

• Determine where Mattel should invest, expand, optimize, or evolve its Experiences portfolio to maximize long-term brand and commercial value. 

• Partner with regional leaders to translate global strategy into market-specific growth plans while maintaining consistent enterprise priorities and standards. 

Drive Commercial Growth & Portfolio Performance 

• Own the overall commercial performance and long-term growth of the global Experiences portfolio, with accountability for delivering against annual operating plan and long-range financial objectives. 

• Establish clear revenue, profitability, growth, and performance expectations across the portfolio. 

• Lead the evaluation of significant new business opportunities, including market attractiveness, business models, investment requirements, partner capabilities, financial returns, and long-term franchise potential. 

• Guide complex commercial negotiations and deal structures in partnership with Legal & Business Affairs, Finance, and other key stakeholders. 

• Maximize the value of existing partnerships by identifying opportunities to expand successful experiences into additional brands, markets, formats, and broader franchise relationships. 

• Establish disciplined portfolio management and operating rhythms, including KPI tracking, business reviews, forecasting, pipeline management, launch readiness, and post-launch performance evaluation. 

• Make recommendations to senior leadership regarding major investments, partnerships, portfolio priorities, and resource allocation. 

Build & Lead Strategic Partnerships 

• Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with leading global and regional operators, developers, venue partners, attraction operators, hospitality companies, live entertainment producers, licensees, and other strategic partners. 

• Serve as a senior Mattel representative with key external partners, establishing relationships that create long-term value beyond individual transactions or projects. 

• Set expectations for partner performance across commercial outcomes, operational execution, safety, brand integrity, guest experience, and consumer engagement. 

• Ensure partners have clear accountability and that risks or performance issues are identified and addressed proactively. 

• Identify opportunities to evolve individual licensing relationships into broader, multi-market or multi-franchise strategic partnerships. 

Deliver World-Class Consumer Experiences 

• Ensure Mattel brands and IP are translated into distinctive, immersive, story-driven physical experiences that deepen consumer and fan engagement. 

• Oversee the development of a strong in-house Experiential Design capability connecting storytelling, physical design, spatial planning, guest flow, and brand expression. 

• Establish clear standards for creative quality, brand integrity, IP authenticity, guest experience, and execution across the Experiences portfolio. 

• Partner closely with Global Brand Teams, Franchise, Creative, Design, and other stakeholders to ensure Experiences strategies support broader franchise ambitions while maintaining the unique DNA of each brand. 

• Create an effective decision-making and approval model that enables high-quality creative development while improving speed, clarity, and accountability. 

• Balance creative ambition with commercial viability, operational feasibility, safety, and long-term scalability. 

Expand Experiential Retail 

• Establish the strategic role of retail and merchandise within Mattel’s Experiences ecosystem, extending consumer engagement beyond the experience itself. 

• Drive development of compelling product and merchandise strategies that strengthen the guest experience while creating incremental commercial value. 

• Partner with Consumer Products, Global Brand Teams, Supply Chain, Finance, licensees, and operators to improve product availability, assortment, planning, and execution. 

• Identify innovative merchandising and delivery models that support both Mattel’s core toy portfolio and the economics of Experiences partnerships. 

• Ensure retail strategies are integrated early into the development of major experiences and attractions. 

Build an Integrated Experiences Marketing Strategy 

• Establish the global marketing strategy for Mattel Experiences, ensuring experiences are effectively positioned and connected to broader brand and franchise priorities. 

• Oversee development of integrated marketing approaches that drive awareness, engagement, attendance, and consumer connection. 

• Partner with attraction operators, licensees, regional teams, and Mattel marketing organizations to align messaging, channels, materials, activations, and launch plans. 

• Ensure marketing plans appropriately reflect both global brand strategy and local market needs. 

• Use consumer insights and performance data to continually strengthen marketing effectiveness and the overall guest experience. 

Lead Across the Enterprise 

• Serve as the senior Experiences leader and subject matter expert across Mattel, representing the function with executive leadership and key internal and external stakeholders. 

• Partner closely with Global Brand Teams, Franchise, Consumer Products, Marketing, Design & Development, Finance, Legal & Business Affairs, Licensing, Supply Chain, Safety, and regional commercial teams. 

• Establish clear decision rights and operating mechanisms across global, regional, functional, and external partner teams. 

• Navigate competing priorities and complex stakeholder relationships to enable timely decisions and execution. 

• Connect Experiences opportunities to Mattel’s broader franchise strategy, ensuring the business strengthens consumer engagement and expands the reach of Mattel IP. 

Build Organizational Capability 

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing global Experiences organization across commercial, creative, retail, marketing, operational, and regional capabilities. 

• Establish an organizational model that supports both global strategic leadership and strong regional execution. 

• Define clear roles, responsibilities, decision rights, and accountabilities across the Experiences organization. 

• Build capabilities required to shift the organization toward proactive business development, disciplined portfolio management, stronger creative ownership, and scalable execution. 

• Develop talent and succession plans while creating meaningful growth opportunities across the organization. 

• Foster a culture of innovation, commercial accountability, collaboration, consumer focus, and operational excellence. 

What We’re Looking For: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred. 

• 15+ years of progressive experience in location-based entertainment, themed entertainment, attractions, experiential entertainment, licensing, hospitality, consumer experiences, business development, or related industries. 

• Significant senior leadership experience within a complex global or multi-market Experiences, entertainment, attractions, or IP-driven business. 

• Demonstrated track record of building and scaling revenue-generating businesses, partnerships, or experiential platforms. 

• Deep understanding of location-based entertainment and experiential business models, including attractions, theme parks, waterparks, resorts, family entertainment centers, hospitality, live events, touring experiences, and branded destinations. 

• Extensive experience identifying and evaluating business opportunities, developing commercial strategies, structuring partnerships, and negotiating complex agreements. 

• Strong financial and commercial acumen with experience managing significant revenue, budgets, forecasts, investment decisions, and long-range business plans. 

• Experience translating globally recognized brands and intellectual property into physical consumer experiences. 

• Demonstrated ability to balance commercial growth with brand integrity, creative excellence, operational requirements, safety, and guest experience. 

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across commercial, creative, marketing, operational, and/or regional functions. 

• Strong understanding of global markets and experience adapting global strategies for regional and local execution. 

• Proven ability to operate effectively in a highly matrixed global organization and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority. 

• Exceptional executive communication, negotiation, relationship-management, and decision-making skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity and turn emerging opportunities into clear, scalable business strategies. 

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required. 

Leadership Capabilities 

Strategic & Commercial Leadership 
Connects brand, franchise, consumer, market, and financial insights to establish a clear long-term growth strategy and make disciplined portfolio decisions. 

Business Development & Partnership Leadership 
Builds sophisticated external relationships, identifies mutually beneficial opportunities, and creates partnership models that deliver sustainable value. 

Consumer & Franchise Mindset 
Understands how physical experiences can deepen consumer relationships with Mattel brands and contribute to broader franchise growth. 

Creative & Commercial Judgment 
Balances creative ambition and brand integrity with financial returns, operational feasibility, safety, and scalability. 

Enterprise Leadership 
Operates beyond functional boundaries, makes decisions in the best interest of Mattel, and builds alignment across brands, functions, regions, and partners. 

Organizational Leadership 
Builds strong teams and capabilities, establishes clear accountability and decision rights, and develops talent for future growth. 

Execution & Accountability 
Translates strategy into priorities, operating mechanisms, measurable outcomes, and sustained business performance. 

Key Measures of Success 

Success in this role will be measured by: 

• Achievement of global Experiences revenue, profitability, and growth objectives. 

• Development of a strong, proactive pipeline of new Experiences opportunities. 

• Expansion of Mattel Experiences into priority markets, formats, and strategic categories. 

• Growth and performance of existing partnerships, including successful expansion into broader franchise opportunities. 

• Successful launch and operation of high-quality, on-brand consumer experiences. 

• Strength and strategic value of Mattel’s external partner portfolio. 

• Consistent delivery of exceptional guest experiences and strong brand integrity. 

• Effective integration of Experiential Design, Retail, Commercial Operations, Marketing, and regional execution. 

• Increased organizational capability, operating discipline, and speed of decision-making. 

• Development of a scalable global operating model capable of supporting Mattel’s long-term Experiences ambitions. 

• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
   

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!

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:
This role is an in-office role Monday-Thursday, and work from home on Fridays. 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 collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.
Beware of recruiting scams: Mattel will only contact you through official @mattel.com or @smartrecruiters.com email addressesand will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information during the hiring process.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

The base pay range for this position is between $250,000 and $325,000 annual.  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. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential. 

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