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Mattel

Director of Studio Operations - Mattel Studios

Posted Yesterday
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In-Office
El Segundo, CA
167K-209K Annually
Senior level
In-Office
El Segundo, CA
167K-209K Annually
Senior level
The Director of Studio Operations oversees all operational aspects at Mattel Studios, managing content strategies, financial oversight, distribution deals, and fostering team leadership while ensuring alignment across departments.
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Company Description

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.

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

Mattel Studios is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Studio Operations to serve as the operational lead for the Chief Content Officer. Acting as a de facto Chief Operating Officer, this role is responsible for overseeing all business and operational aspects of our Film and Television division—ensuring seamless execution of content strategies, distribution deals, and performance measurement across a global content portfolio.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Operational Leadership & Strategy: 

  • Partner directly with the Chief Content Officer to operationalize and execute strategic initiatives.
  • Oversee studio-wide operations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and long-term scalability.
  • Lead business planning across content development, production, and delivery. 

Content Strategy Creation & Deployment: 

  • Collaborate on development and execution of long-term content strategies aligned with market and audience insights.
  • Support slate planning, greenlight processes, and content lifecycle execution.
  • Translate creative concepts into operational deliverables and milestones.

Distribution Deal Management: 

  • Drive execution and tracking of all distribution agreements (streaming, broadcast, theatrical, and international).
  • Collaborate with Legal, Business Affairs, and external partners to structure and negotiate distribution deals.
  • Manage contractual compliance and deliverables across global platforms.

Financial Oversight & Resource Management:  

  • Own studio budget planning, forecasting, and headcount/resource allocation.
  • Manage cost control measures and content P&L performance.
  • Monitor ROI of key content initiatives and optimize budget utilization.

Performance Metrics & Reporting

  • Define and track KPIs for operational efficiency, content performance, and revenue impact.
  • Deliver regular reports and dashboards to the Chief Content Officer and studio leadership.
  • Support decision-making through data-driven insights and business intelligence.

Cross-Functional Partnership

  • Serve as primary liaison between creative teams and corporate functions (Finance, Legal, HR, Franchise, Marketing).
  • Drive alignment across internal stakeholders to ensure streamlined execution of studio goals.

Team Leadership & Culture

  • Lead and mentor a high-performing Studio Operations team.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
  • Model and promote Mattel’s values and studio vision.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Media, Entertainment Management or related field (MBA preferred).
  • 10+ years of experience in studio operations, content strategy, or business affairs.
  • Proven leadership in negotiating and operationalizing complex distribution deals.
  • Experience managing large-scale budgets and headcount plans.
  • Deep understanding of the entertainment development and distribution landscape.
  • Strong analytical skills and experience with KPIs and performance tracking.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $167,200 and $209,000
**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.

Additional Information

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.

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HQ

Mattel El Segundo, California, USA Office

333 Continental Blvd, El Segundo, CA, United States, 90245

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