📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Assistant Brand Manager (Games - Uno, Scrabble)
🔹 Company: Mattel
🔹 Location: Slough, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 29, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting the Senior Brand Manager in developing brand and category strategies for Mattel's Games portfolio, focusing on Uno and Scrabble.
- Executing local marketing plans and tactics to gain category share profitably in the UK market.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including sales, finance, and planning, to manage the UK business effectively.
- Managing local advertising and promotion (A&P) spend in line with brand priorities.
- Sharing learnings and best practices within regional and global teams to drive continuous improvement.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and tactical execution, with a strong focus on collaboration and stakeholder management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute local Brand Franchise strategies in partnership with the Senior Brand Manager.
✅ Collaborate closely with other members of the Marketing Team for effective brand management.
✅ Manage media agency partners to deliver standout campaigns with clear results and learnings.
✅ Create recommended product line and pricing architecture for each season refresh.
✅ Deliver compelling product and marketing presentations to sales and external retailers and partners.
✅ Contribute to joint meetings with top markets and global teams, offering feedback for the UK market.
✅ Partner with global, sales, finance, and planning teams for day-to-day management of the UK business.
✅ Manage local A&P spend management in line with brand priorities.
✅ Share learnings of best practice within regional and global teams and implement learnings from other markets where appropriate.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, project management, and stakeholder communication, with a focus on driving results and continuous improvement.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Degree in Marketing, Sales, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience: 2-5 years of marketing or commercial experience at a similar level within Brand Marketing in Toys, FMCG, or licensed consumer goods, or Franchise Management experience (preferably in the children's entertainment sector).
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to build strong and effective relationships with many stakeholders.
- Ability to work on a wide variety of projects with aggressive deadlines and multi-task accordingly.
- Strategic thinking ability and demonstrated creativity through the proposal of new business opportunities.
- Great tactical skills and ability to react quickly to changing situations.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with media agencies and managing advertising campaigns.
- Knowledge of the UK toy market and consumer trends.
- Experience with brand management tools and software.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the toy industry or relevant transferable skills from other consumer goods sectors are encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Competitive base salary + annual bonus
- Private Healthcare & Dental schemes
- Hybrid and flexible working, early finish on Fridays
- Pension plan co-funding (up to 10.5% company contribution)
- 25 days of annual leave plus 8 public holidays
- Paid sickness
- A variety of employee perks and discounts
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch break. Flexible working hours may be available.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level in the UK toy industry. The final offer may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mattel operates in the manufacturing industry, specifically focused on designing, manufacturing, and selling toys and family entertainment products. The toy industry is highly competitive, with a strong emphasis on innovation, marketing, and understanding consumer trends.
Company Size: Mattel is a large corporation with over 10,000 employees globally. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse teams and projects. However, it may also mean that individual contributions might not always be immediately visible.
Founded: Mattel was founded in 1945 and has since grown to become one of the world's leading toy companies, with iconic brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price.
Company Description:
- Mattel is a purpose-driven company aiming to empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential through play.
- The company is committed to creating innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children.
- Mattel fosters a collaborative work environment where every person counts, and partnership is the process for driving better results.
Company Specialties:
- Toys and entertainment
- Brand management
- Marketing and advertising
- Product development
- Retail and sales
Company Website: https://jobs.mattel.com/
ASSUMPTION: Mattel's large size and global presence offer opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse teams and projects. However, it may also mean that individual contributions might not always be immediately visible.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for candidates with 2-5 years of experience in brand marketing, seeking to develop their skills and advance their career in a large corporation.
Reporting Structure: The Assistant Brand Manager reports directly to the Senior Brand Manager and works closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, finance, and planning.
Work Arrangement: This role is based in Slough, United Kingdom, with a hybrid work arrangement, requiring on-site presence a few days per week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Senior Brand Manager role, with increased responsibilities and leadership opportunities.
- Expansion into other brand management roles within Mattel's diverse portfolio of products and brands.
- Growth within the marketing function, such as moving into a marketing management or strategy role.
ASSUMPTION: Mattel's large size and global presence offer numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mattel's Slough office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.
Office Location(s): 3rd Floor, The Porter Building, 1 Brunel Way, Slough, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Slough is a town in the county of Berkshire, located in the South East of England, approximately 20 miles west of Central London.
- The town is well-connected by road and rail, with easy access to London and other major cities in the region.
- Slough offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a diverse range of housing options and amenities.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch break. Flexible working hours may be available.
ASSUMPTION: The Slough office offers a modern, collaborative work environment that supports Mattel's culture of innovation and creativity.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the Mattel careers website.
- Phone or video screening with the HR team to discuss the role and assess cultural fit.
- First-round interview with the hiring manager and a member of the HR team to discuss the role in more detail and assess relevant skills and experience.
- Second-round interview with additional stakeholders, focusing on technical skills and cultural fit.
- Final interview with the Senior Brand Manager and a member of the HR team to discuss the role, answer any remaining questions, and make a final decision.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders
- Creativity and innovation in approach to brand management
- Adaptability and resilience in the face of changing priorities and deadlines
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role, using the job description as a guide.
- Prepare examples of your brand management experience, demonstrating your ability to develop and execute strategic plans and drive results.
- Research Mattel's brand portfolio and understand the unique characteristics of the Uno and Scrabble brands to show your enthusiasm and preparation for the role.
ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, Stakeholder Relationships, Product Line Selection, Campaign Management, A&P Spend Management, UK Toy Market, Consumer Trends, Hybrid Work Arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, creativity, and cultural fit, as well as their ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Brand management tools and software (e.g., Brand24, Brandfolder, Sprout Social)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's experience and the needs of the team.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Collaboration: We work together to achieve common goals and drive better results.
- Innovation: We always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences.
- Execution: We are a performance-driven company focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes and holding ourselves accountable for results.
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on driving results and continuous improvement.
- Collaborative and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and stakeholder management.
- Adaptable and resilient, with a willingness to pivot and adjust priorities as needed.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, and can you provide an example from your previous experience?
- How do you stay up-to-date with consumer trends and market insights, and how do you incorporate this information into your brand management strategies?
- How do you balance strategic thinking with tactical execution, and can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a project with aggressive deadlines and multiple stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: Mattel's culture values collaboration, innovation, and execution, with a strong emphasis on driving results and continuous improvement. Candidates who align with these values and work styles are more likely to succeed in the role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects with aggressive deadlines and competing priorities.
- Navigating a large, global organization and building effective relationships with stakeholders across different functions and time zones.
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement, balancing on-site and remote work effectively.
- Staying up-to-date with consumer trends and market insights in a rapidly evolving toy industry.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and the industry, and candidates should be prepared to navigate them with strategic thinking, adaptability, and resilience.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other brand management roles in the toy industry, this role offers a unique focus on the Games category, with a specific emphasis on Uno and Scrabble brands.
- Mattel's large size and global presence provide opportunities for career growth and development that may not be available in smaller organizations.
- This role is suitable for candidates seeking to develop their brand management skills and advance their career in a large corporation, with a focus on driving results and continuous improvement.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on iconic brands within a large, global organization, with a focus on driving results and continuous improvement.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a local marketing campaign for Uno, targeting families with children aged 7-12, to drive category share and increase sales during the back-to-school season.
- Conducting a market analysis of the UK board games market, identifying trends and opportunities for Scrabble to gain market share and drive growth.
- Managing a cross-functional team to deliver a product line refresh for Uno, including new product SKUs, pricing architecture, and marketing assets, to drive sales and profitability.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to illustrate the types of responsibilities and challenges the Assistant Brand Manager may face in this role, with a focus on strategic thinking, tactical execution, and stakeholder management.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for Mattel's Games portfolio, and how can I contribute to its success?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I hit the ground running and make an impact?
- How does Mattel support the professional development and career growth of its employees, and what opportunities are available for growth within this role?
- How does the team collaborate and communicate effectively in a hybrid work arrangement, and what tools and technologies are used to facilitate this?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured and evaluated?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company, and to assess whether the opportunity aligns with their career goals and work preferences.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the following link: https://jobs.mattel.com/
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role, using the job description as a guide.
- Prepare examples of your brand management experience, demonstrating your ability to develop and execute strategic plans and drive results.
- Research Mattel's brand portfolio and understand the unique characteristics of the Uno and Scrabble brands to show your enthusiasm and preparation for the role.
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application and express your continued interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
