- Job Title: Director of Marketing, Fisher-Price
- Company: Mattel
- Location: East Aurora, New York, United States
- Job Type: Full-time, On-site
- Category: Marketing
- Date Posted: May 19, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years (8+ years with MBA)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading strategic brand growth and creative expression for Fisher-Price
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and execute marketing strategies
- Managing global campaigns, digital and social storytelling, partnerships, and consumer engagement
- Driving business results through innovative, insight-led marketing campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong brand-builder with a proven track record in global CPG or children's brands, as well as exceptional leadership and communication skills.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Brand Strategy & Global Campaigns: Own the strategic development and roadmap of global brand-building activities, lead go-to-market campaigns, and meet financial targets and key milestones.
- Data-Driven Marketing: Partner with Global Business and Consumer Insights teams to build data-driven campaign and activation strategies that convert audience data into actionable strategies.
- Team Leadership & Collaboration: Lead cross-functional teams, offer strategic insights, and partner with various departments to create integrated marketing campaigns.
- Budget Management & ROI Assessment: Oversee the brand budget, assess ROI against key performance metrics, and determine cost-reduction savings to drive maximum budget impact.
- External Relationships & Partnerships: Own external relationships and partnership conversations with cultural consultants, agencies, non-profit organizations, and talent.
- Team Management & Development: Manage and develop a team of high-performing direct reports, fostering a collaborative, creative, and continuously improving environment.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to balance creative vision with data-driven decision-making.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (MBA preferred)
- Experience: Minimum 10 years (8 years with MBA) in brand or consumer marketing, ideally with global CPG or children's brands
- Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in brand marketing and consumer marketing
- Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Demonstrated ability to drive change and results through influential leadership
- Experience managing agencies, creative development, and go-to-market strategies across platforms
- Deep understanding of building emotionally resonant brands and campaigns that deliver measurable impact
- Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the toy industry or with children's brands
- Familiarity with Mattel's brand portfolio and culture
- Proficiency in data analysis and market research
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the toy industry or with children's brands may have a competitive advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: The annual base salary range for this position is between $152,000 and $190,000. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and employee discounts on Mattel products.
- Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for meetings and project deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is indicative of the projected hiring range and may vary based on the candidate's work location, skills, and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company, operating in the manufacturing industry.
- Company Size: Mattel has 10,001+ employees, providing a large and diverse work environment.
- Founded: Mattel was founded in 1945, with a rich history and strong brand recognition.
- Company Description: Mattel empowers generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential through its iconic brand portfolio, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, and Thomas & Friends. The company treats play as if the future depends on it, representing the world authentically through its products and content.
- Company Specialties: Mattel specializes in toys and entertainment, with a focus on creating innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences, and develop children through play.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring extensive experience and a proven track record in brand marketing.
- Reporting Structure: The Director of Marketing reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing for Fisher-Price.
- Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the opportunity for occasional remote work or hybrid arrangements, depending on business needs and team dynamics.
- Growth Opportunities: As a senior-level role within a large organization, there are opportunities for career progression within Mattel's marketing department or other related functions.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both within the Fisher-Price brand and across Mattel's broader portfolio of iconic brands.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Mattel's headquarters is a modern, collaborative workspace with open-plan offices, meeting rooms, and employee amenities.
- Office Location: The role is based at Mattel's headquarters in El Segundo, California, with the opportunity for occasional travel to other Mattel offices or client meetings.
- Geographic Context: El Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County, California, with a Mediterranean climate and a diverse, multicultural population.
- Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for meetings and project deadlines. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to meet deadlines or attend events.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Mattel is dynamic, collaborative, and focused on driving innovation and results.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: 1. Online application submission, 2. Phone or video screen, 3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager, 4. Final interview with senior leadership, 5. Background check and offer.
- Key Assessment Areas: Brand strategy development, campaign execution, data-driven decision-making, leadership and team management, and cultural fit.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare examples of your brand-building successes and challenges overcome.
- Research Mattel's brand portfolio and Fisher-Price's unique position within the company.
ASSUMPTION: Mattel's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, creativity, and cultural fit, as well as their ability to drive results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Marketing automation and analytics platforms (e.g., Marketo, Google Analytics)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using a range of marketing tools and technologies to drive results and optimize campaigns.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Mattel values creativity, inclusivity, and a sense of wonder. The company fosters a culture where every employee can bring their authentic self to work and reach their full potential.
- Work Style: Mattel values collaboration, innovation, and execution. Employees are expected to work closely together, find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences, and pursue best-in-class outcomes.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Mattel's values of creativity, inclusivity, and a sense of wonder?
- How comfortable are you working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with tight deadlines?
- How do you approach collaboration and cross-functional teamwork?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Mattel's values and work style, and who are comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, will be well-suited to this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Role-Specific Challenges: Balancing the strategic development of the Fisher-Price brand with the execution of day-to-day marketing activities.
- Company-Specific Challenges: Working within a large, global organization with multiple brands and stakeholders.
- Industry-Specific Challenges: Navigating the competitive toy and entertainment landscape, and staying ahead of trends and consumer preferences.
- Location-Specific Challenges: Adapting to the fast-paced, dynamic work environment of a major metropolitan area.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have strong project management and prioritization skills to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Role Differentiators: This role focuses on the strategic growth and creative expression of a single iconic brand (Fisher-Price), while other marketing roles within Mattel may involve broader brand portfolios or more tactical marketing execution.
- Industry Context: Mattel's marketing roles require a deep understanding of the toy and entertainment industry, as well as the ability to connect with children and families on an emotional level.
- Career Path Comparison: This role offers significant growth potential within Mattel's marketing department or other related functions, with opportunities for career progression to senior leadership or brand general manager roles.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of the toy and entertainment industry and be passionate about connecting with children and families through meaningful, engaging experiences.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global brand campaign for a new Fisher-Price product launch, including market research, consumer insights, and cross-functional team collaboration.
- Creating and implementing a social media strategy to increase brand awareness and engagement for Fisher-Price, leveraging user-generated content and influencer partnerships.
- Conducting a competitive analysis of the toy and entertainment landscape to identify opportunities for Fisher-Price to differentiate and innovate.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience developing and executing marketing campaigns, conducting market research, and analyzing data to drive results.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the Fisher-Price brand, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Mattel support the growth and development of its marketing team members?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I contribute to their successful execution?
- How does Mattel approach innovation and staying ahead of industry trends in the toy and entertainment space?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should come prepared with thoughtful, insightful questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role, the company, and the industry.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this [link](https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/MattelInc/744000060217865-director-of-marketing-fisher-price).
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare examples of your brand-building successes and challenges overcome.
- Research Mattel's brand portfolio and Fisher-Price's unique position within the company.
- Follow up with a thank-you note after your interview, reiterating your interest in the role and expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to discuss your qualifications.
- If you haven't heard back after two weeks, politely follow up with the hiring manager to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
