Associate Manager, Compensation

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 People and Culture team are partners to all employees, delivering a meaningful, end to end employee experience. Our role is to attract, develop and engage employees in a purpose-centered work environment. Together, we challenge the status quo, encourage progressive thought, and influence meaningful change across the business. Our global P&C team serves more than 30,000 employees in more than 30 countries. In all that we do, we strive to be a talent-led organization that cultivates equality, inclusion and empowerment for our employees and the communities we serve. We value meaningful work and creating personalized career opportunities as we build a world class P&C team

The Opportunity: 

Reporting into the Manager Compensation, the Associate Manager, Compensation is an integral part of Mattel’s Global Compensation Team, acting as a strategic partner and subject matter expert across various compensation disciplines. The Associate Manager, Compensation will be responsible for developing, managing, and implementing compensation programs that support Mattel’s global pay philosophy and business strategy. The Associate Manager will serve as a trusted advisor to P&C and business leaders, offering guidance on compensation issues, incentive planning, and program design to ensure competitiveness, equity, and internal alignment.

The Associate Manager, Compensation will require strong analytical capabilities, business acumen, and the ability to communicate and influence across various levels of Mattel. The Associate Manager works with minimal direction and takes ownership of projects and program execution with a global lens.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Analyze and resolve business issues related to compensation program development and administration.
• Partner with client groups proactively across Mattel in identifying issues and developing recommendations for resolution on compensation related matters
• Provide consultative support and expertise on job evaluations, leveling, market pricing, and internal equity for new and existing roles across Mattel
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of Mattel’s global compensation programs, including base pay structure design, benchmarking, and compensation planning processes
• Partner on a consistent basis with management and staff in Compensation, the Global Compensation team, internal P&C divisions, P&C Business Partners and Talent Acquisition to provide strategic compensation guidance and recommendations that drive employee engagement and retention
• Build and maintain relationships with client groups and management contacts and learn the business needs of each client area
• Lead and manage the administration of various short-term incentive programs, ensuring alignment with business goals, accurate calculations, and compliance with policy and regulatory requirements
• Maintain deep knowledge of compensation trends, best practices, and regulatory changes to continuously enhance program effectiveness and competitiveness
• Present the tools and training to P&C Business Partners and leaders, enabling the leaders to own more of the process and decisions
• Drive improvements in compensation tools, systems, and reporting in collaboration with HRIS and other internal partners
• Collaborate on the annual compensation cycle (e.g., salary reviews, incentive payouts), including program planning, communications, tool development, and training delivery
• Implement policy and practice decisions, including facilitating the annual adjustment process with client groups
• Support global survey participation and market analysis efforts, including interpreting results and making data-driven recommendations
• Guide and mentor junior team members, as needed, and serve as a resource for technical and analytical compensation questions
• Participate in or lead cross-functional compensation projects and initiatives as assigned

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 5 years current and relevant experience in compensation; prior global and corporate experience preferred with demonstrated knowledge across multiple practice areas including incentive plan administration, market analysis, and job architecture
• Advanced MS Office skills specifically in Excel (formulas, vlookups, mail merge, etc.) and PowerPoint
• Experience in multiple compensation practice areas, (for example, broad-based pay, variable/long-term incentive compensation, and equity compensation)
• Foundational compensation design expertise and program knowledge in multiple practice areas (for example, benchmarking, job evaluations, career progression, market research, survey benchmarking and performance management), preferred
• Compensation experience in a large, complex, publicly traded organization, preferred
• Demonstrated competency and acumen for understanding Business Unit goals and administering appropriate compensation solutions and guidance that best aligns with Mattel’s overall HR and people strategy
• Strong quantitative/analytical skills with proven capability to communicate findings in a clear and concise manner for various audiences
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an eye for detail and accuracy
• Extensive knowledge of human resource laws, regulations, and best practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Experience using market pricing tools in a global environment
• Demonstrated experience developing and running queries and reports from a human resources information system, preferably Workday
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $114,000 and $140,000
**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