Country Lead - GCC (Middle East):

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, entertain 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 Country Lead - Middle East Region will be responsible for driving business growth and sales initiatives across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

We are seeking a visionary leader to oversee all regional activities, drive strategic initiatives, and ensure alignment with market opportunities. This Senior Manager level role will report directly to the VP for PEM region and will focus on integrating various verticals into cohesive franchise and business plans to achieve a robust and positive impact. The role demands expertise in business expansion, sales management, and strategic leadership to effectively manage operations in this dynamic market.

The ideal candidate for this position will be hired externally through third-party agency.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Develop and execute the overall business strategy for the Middle East region, aligning with the Company's goals and objectives.
• Lead the initiative of establishing - “franchise first” - organization within Mattel by working and localizing the different Mattel verticals strategies and executing plans– with focus on Toys, Consumer Products, Publishing and LBE

• Identify and evaluate potential business and collaborate with the Licensing team (inc.LBE) to strength partnerships
• Drive brand efforts to increase consumer demand of all different Mattel Verticals
• Lead the development and implementation of sales plans to drive revenue growth and market share expansion in the Middle East.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing toys and franchise partners, providing ongoing support and guidance to ensure mutual success.
• Lead market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and competitive threats in the Middle East market.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Consumer Products (inc. LBE), operations, and finance, to optimize performance and profitability.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis of key performance metrics, highlighting successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.
• Stay updated of industry developments, regulatory requirements, and best practices related to franchising and sales in the Middle East region.
• Represent Mattel to customer and partner leadership as well as local authorities
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing commercial team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in leading franchise development, business development, licensing GM or sales management, preferably within the Middle East region.
• Proven track record of successfully launching and scaling franchise operations in a similar market.
• Strong understanding of franchise business models, contract negotiation, and operational dynamics.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire others.
• Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset and a passion for driving business growth.
• Fluency in English (additional languages such as Arabic would be a plus).
• Willingness to travel within the Middle East region as needed
• Experience of building and leading a team, as well we developing people

Additional Information

What It’s Like to Work Here

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation 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 company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries 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 children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.