Research Specialist Jobs in El Segundo, CA

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:

The Global Brand Communications team leads the development and execution of integrated earned media strategies across Mattel’s iconic portfolio, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Masters of the Universe, and more. The team drives impactful storytelling that strengthens brand reputation, amplifies cultural relevance, and delivers measurable business impact through global communications programs.

The Opportunity:

The Associate Manager, Global Brand Communications will play a key role in shaping and executing global public relations strategies across Mattel’s Vehicles, Action Figures, and Building Sets categories including brands like Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Thomas & Friends, Mattel Brick Shop, MEGA along with owned and licensed toy lines. This individual contributes to strategic planning, ensuring programs are insight-driven, culturally relevant, and aligned with broader business objectives while delivering high-impact results.

The ideal candidate is a proactive communicator and strong collaborator who can manage multiple workstreams, influence cross-functional partners, and contribute to high-impact storytelling that generates meaningful earned media results. This role partners closely with marketing, design, development, legal, agencies, and global teams to deliver best-in-class communications programs at scale.

What Your Impact Will Be:

The Associate Manager, Global Brand Communications will support the development and execution of global communications strategies, contributing to campaign planning and leading key components of program rollout that advance Mattel’s growth objectives and brand strategies. This role is responsible not only for delivering communications initiatives but for driving measurable outcomes including visibility, engagement, and the overall success of key launches and campaigns. The role emphasizes executional excellence across external communications initiatives, including product launches, executive visibility efforts, and global franchise expansion across categories.

Reporting to the Director, Global Brand Communications, you will support day-to-day decisions within your scope while helping shape communication approaches and campaign strategies. You will draft and oversee the creation of high-quality communications materials, including press releases, media alerts, pitches, and fact sheets that support key tentpole campaigns, product launches, and seasonal programs. You will support the coordination of cross-functional teams and external partners, including agencies, licensors/licensees, and event teams.

This role will lead external media relations efforts by building and maintaining relationships with trade, business, consumer, and entertainment press outlets and will manage logistics and execution of key events and media activations, including multi-brand trade events. You will also review, vet, and partner on influencer and social amplification strategies to evaluate risk and extend campaign reach to digital platforms.

You will monitor, analyze, and report on campaign performance, translating insights into actionable recommendations for future programs by tracking industry trends, media landscape shifts, and cultural moments to inform proactive storytelling and communications strategies. A deep understanding of Mattel’s brands and business priorities is critical in the role to ensure communications efforts are aligned and effective.

Mattel is a dynamic organization, and the successful candidate is a proactive, solutions-oriented communicator who takes ownership, drives results, and leads with accountability. You bring strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with executional excellence in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in public relations/communications (agency or in-house), ideally with a strong foundation in media relations, creative development, and/or project management
• Candidate must have the ability to efficiently handle and time-manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, adapt to shifting priorities, and be very detail-oriented.
• Candidate must display good interpersonal skills, including a positive, cooperative attitude - both inside and outside the department
• Demonstrated experience owning and leading communications campaigns or projects end-to-end, with accountability for results
• A keen interest in the ever-changing cultural landscape and creative brand building
• Proven ability to drive measurable outcomes, including earned media impact, campaign visibility, and successful launches
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to operate independently within defined scope while contributing to broader strategy
• Experience leading cross-functional workstreams and managing internal and external stakeholders
• Strong media relations experience across traditional and non-traditional channels
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while driving work forward
• Experience managing external agencies or vendors and holding them accountable for performance
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a demonstrated track record of ownership, leadership, and delivering results
• Strong writer and storyteller with clear, confident verbal communication and presentation skills
• Based in Los Angeles, with the ability to work closely with cross-functional partners and media in a fast-paced environment

Key Traits:

• Strategic thinker with strong executional follow-through
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to navigate shifting priorities

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.

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 are 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.

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.

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.