Director, Content Protection

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 IP - Content and Brands group in Mattel’s Law Department serves as a center of excellence for global requirements relating to the proactive protection of the Company’s most sensitive IP assets and content. 

The Opportunity: 

The role of Director, Content Protection, reports into the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel for IP – Content & Brands, based in El Segundo, CA, and is responsible for the design, development, implementation & management of policies, procedures related to the protection of highly confidential content (digital and physical form including consumer products) in collaboration with cross-functional leaders across the organization involved in film & TV production, design and development of consumer products & electronic games, operations, marketing, sales, and more.  The Director will lead projects and operational activities specific to content protection and management, third party management, policy management, business advisory & incident management, and anti-piracy. As part of this role, travel might be required to regional headquarters and local regional markets.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

The Director is accountable for developing and maintaining a consistent global and regional content protection strategy to protect highly confidential content and assets from unauthorized access at every stage of content creation (from script to screen), as well during all phases of product design, development, marketing, and sales.  The Director will coordinate and collaborate with a council of cross-functional leaders that will assist in designing and implementing content protection strategies.  More specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Planning

• Drive and develop the strategies of the content protection program to identify opportunities to improve policies and procedures to prevent unauthorized access, leaks of highly sensitive and confidential information, DRM circumvention, etc.
• Advise and liaise business units on content protection matters to maximize content & asset security while maintaining efficiency in day-to-day operations

Program & Project Management

• Accountable for tracking all projects and operational initiatives related to content protection and identifying key deliverables and milestone dates for all regions including North America.

Relationship Management

• Accountable for identifying, building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders across the organization, including Mattel’s movie and television teams, franchise brands, product development, manufacturing, marketing and sales, in addition to other key operational contacts. These relationships will be utilized to collect information relating to the effectiveness of existing policies and procedures, and opportunities to improve support to these groups through service enhancement or implementation of additional services, within or complementary to a steering committee/governance framework.
• Oversee the relationship with third-party associations such as the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), The Content Delivery & Security Association (CDSA), Trusted Partner Network (TPN), and other industry partners to foster synergies and standardization of content security best practices.
• Partner and collaborate with global and regional security teams on processes and procedures to maintain physical security and IT Security during various production lifecycles (including product development, manufacturing, franchise brands, as well as movie and television verticals).
• Engage with different levels of law enforcement on open investigations, incidents, and remediation efforts.

Reporting

• Accountable for providing updates to stakeholders to identify and communicate accomplishments and risks on various levels, such as at an activity, project, pillar, or program level, as required for weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Accountable for implementing and maintaining resource utilization metrics for both full time and third-party resources.
• Drive content for presentation materials used for regular updates with key global & regional stakeholders.
• Support generating monthly regional KPI & reports & create other ad-hoc reports as needed.

Policy, Training & Awareness Management

• Prepare and deliver presentations, proposals, and handouts for senior executives and business units globally
• Develop and oversee the release, deployment and communication of content protection policies in coordination with cross functional partners and Mattel’s communications team.

Incident Management 

• Ultimately accountable for the investigation and remediation of any incidents related to the unauthorized content access, content leaks, DRM circumvention, in collaboration with cross functional stakeholders & teams, including physical security and IT security.
• Maintains incident tracker and memorializing leaks for reusability and documentation.

Third Party Assessment & Training

• Accountable; in collaboration with Mattel’s IT Security and Physical Security teams, for developing site security and application security programs and related efforts of third parties, ensuring these assessments are consistent with Mattel’s content protection policies and standards.
• Accountable for the management of third-party vendors and suppliers’ initial assessments and annual reviews
• Support third-party vendors and suppliers’ training & awareness.

What We’re Looking For:

• 8+ years of experience with content protection activities at a studio or other entertainment company, including strategic planning, policy development, and assessments in relation to content security, protection and incident response.
• 5+ years’ experience successfully managing technical projects from inception through completion, leveraging a variety of project management skills and methodologies.
• Digital Rights Management Systems
• Understanding of Media Security (e.g., media encryption, various forms of video and audio marking and fingerprinting)
• Digital transfer tools such as Box, Kiteworks, etc.
• Content platforms and marketplaces, social media, search, and digital intermediaries 
• Media & Entertainment content security best practices 
• Media and Entertainment IT systems, including in production and post-productions environments
• Consumer Products (Product Development) IT systems, including CAD, transfer tools. 
• Feature film production and post-production industries, services, and workflows
• Knowledge of consumer products industry, services and workflows
• Strategies to protect against unauthorized access and distribution of content
• Forensic and Investigative Analysis: Ability to collect and analyze evidence in a forensically sound manner, including detailed forensic analysis of online content 
• Coordinating complex global projects, with a keen understanding of how to navigate international legal and regulatory landscapes
• Understanding of copyright protection related to content protection and enforcement on platforms (YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Etc)
• Working with law enforcement in connection with content protection and anti-piracy

The salary range for this position will be $180,000 - $235,000 

**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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights