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Publishing Manager EMEA - Job Opportunity at Mattel

Slough, United Kingdom
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 25, 2025
On-site
Based on the senior-level responsibilities, EMEA regional scope, P&L accountability, and multi-million euro budget management, the salary range is likely £80,000-£120,000 annually, potentially reaching £140,000+ with bonuses and incentives for a global toy company of Mattel's caliber in the Slough market.

Benefits

Inclusive and diverse workplace culture that values authentic self-expression and individual perspectives
Opportunity to work with world-renowned iconic brands including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, and American Girl
Professional development support with mentoring responsibilities and team leadership opportunities
International exposure through EMEA regional scope and global matrix organization collaboration
Industry networking opportunities including participation in key events like Bologna Book Fair
Award-winning workplace culture recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, and Great Place to Work

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic leadership of the entire EMEA Publishing business with full P&L accountability for commercial growth and operational excellence across multi-million euro initiatives
Architect and execute comprehensive regional publishing strategies spanning magazines, partworks, books, audiobooks, and digital content across Mattel's complete brand portfolio
Lead, mentor, and develop a regional publishing team while fostering high-performance culture and professional advancement opportunities
Own end-to-end partner lifecycle management from prospect identification and contract negotiation through creative development and market activation
Spearhead the development and regional rollout of Mattel Press catalogue in strategic alignment with global publishing initiatives
Serve as primary brand ambassador at industry-leading events ensuring maximum visibility and strategic positioning for Mattel's publishing portfolio
Orchestrate cross-functional collaboration with regional Consumer Products and Franchise Marketing teams to optimize local market penetration and licensee success
Design and implement impactful promotional strategies in partnership with internal marketing teams to maximize publishing partner performance
Provide strategic oversight and performance optimization for high-revenue publishing projects while establishing best practices for regional success

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree required (BA/BS); advanced degree a plus

Experience

Minimum of 7 years of experience in publishing or within relevant industries such as fashion, entertainment, toys, or consumer products. Minimum 2 years of experience leading teams

Required Skills

Strategic Leadership with demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term strategies aligned to business objectives Entrepreneurial Drive with proactive, results-oriented mindset with a strong bias toward action and innovation Collaborative Mindset with strong interpersonal and team-building skills to work cross-functionally across a global matrix organization Exceptional Communication with excellent presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders Operational Excellence being highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment Emotional Intelligence with high level of self-awareness, adaptability, and relationship management Problem-Solving with strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to develop practical, creative solutions to business challenges Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential; additional European languages are a plus Strong commercial instincts with experience managing multi-million-euro initiatives and complex negotiations Deep understanding of the publishing ecosystem and evolving media consumption trends Proven track record of successfully managing publishing partnerships and launching high-impact content programs
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The publishing industry is experiencing a significant digital transformation with increased demand for multimedia content experiences, audiobooks, and interactive digital publications, particularly in the children's entertainment sector where traditional print media is being reimagined through augmented reality and digital-first approaches. Consumer products licensing in the toy industry is increasingly focusing on 360-degree brand experiences, where publishing serves as a critical touchpoint for brand storytelling and customer engagement, driving the need for integrated content strategies across traditional and digital platforms. The EMEA market is showing strong growth in licensed character-based publishing, with particular emphasis on sustainability and educational value in children's content, reflecting broader consumer preferences for purposeful entertainment and environmental consciousness.

Role Significance

Currently managing a team of two direct reports with clear growth potential, typical for regional management roles in global organizations where team expansion often follows business growth and market success.
This is a senior leadership role with significant strategic impact, evidenced by full regional P&L responsibility, direct reporting to Head of Consumer Products, multi-million euro budget management, and accountability for shaping EMEA business strategy across Mattel's entire brand portfolio.

Key Projects

Development and launch of integrated publishing campaigns for major brand releases and movie tie-ins across multiple markets Strategic partnerships with major European publishers for co-branded content development and distribution Digital content platform development and implementation across EMEA markets Market expansion initiatives into emerging EMEA territories with localized content strategies

Success Factors

Exceptional relationship management capabilities are crucial for managing complex publisher partnerships and navigating the intricate web of licensing agreements, creative approvals, and market-specific requirements across diverse European markets. Strategic commercial acumen combined with creative sensibility is essential for balancing revenue objectives with brand integrity while developing content that resonates with local market preferences and cultural nuances. Cross-cultural leadership skills and multilingual capabilities are vital for effectively managing teams and partnerships across the diverse EMEA region while maintaining alignment with global brand strategies. Deep understanding of evolving media consumption patterns and digital transformation trends is critical for positioning Mattel's publishing portfolio for future growth and relevance in an increasingly digital-first marketplace.

Market Demand

High demand driven by the critical importance of content marketing and brand storytelling in the modern toy industry, combined with the specialized skill set required to manage complex licensing partnerships and digital content strategies across multiple markets and languages.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Strategic thinking and business development capabilities are absolutely essential as this role requires developing and executing complex multi-market strategies while identifying and capitalizing on emerging opportunities in the rapidly evolving publishing landscape. Negotiation and relationship management skills are paramount given the complex nature of publishing partnerships, licensing agreements, and the need to balance creative vision with commercial objectives across multiple stakeholders and markets. Cross-cultural communication and leadership abilities are crucial for success in the diverse EMEA market, requiring the ability to adapt strategies to local preferences while maintaining brand consistency and global alignment.

Beneficial Skills

Digital marketing and social media expertise would provide significant advantages as the publishing industry continues to integrate with digital platforms and direct-to-consumer engagement strategies. Financial modeling and analytics capabilities would enhance the ability to evaluate partnership opportunities, optimize revenue streams, and demonstrate ROI across diverse publishing initiatives. Project management certification or equivalent experience would be valuable for coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder publishing projects across different markets and timelines.

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare exposure to managing some of the world's most valuable and recognizable toy brands, providing exceptional experience in global brand management and licensing that is highly transferable across entertainment and consumer products industries.
The position combines strategic business leadership with creative content development, offering a unique blend of commercial and creative responsibilities that is increasingly valuable in the evolving entertainment landscape.
Working at the intersection of traditional publishing and digital content innovation provides cutting-edge experience in media transformation and multi-platform content strategy.
The role offers significant autonomy and entrepreneurial opportunity within a global organization, with the resources and brand equity to execute large-scale strategic initiatives.

Career Growth

Progression to VP or Head-level roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the strategic nature of this role and the accelerated growth opportunities within global entertainment companies like Mattel.

Potential Next Roles

Head of Consumer Products EMEA or Global, overseeing expanded licensing and merchandising operations Vice President of Global Publishing, leading worldwide content strategy and publisher partnerships General Manager roles within entertainment or consumer products companies Chief Commercial Officer positions in media or entertainment organizations

Company Overview

Mattel

Mattel stands as one of the world's most recognizable toy and family entertainment companies, owning an unparalleled portfolio of iconic brands that have shaped childhood experiences for generations. The company has successfully evolved from a traditional toy manufacturer into a comprehensive entertainment company, leveraging its brand equity across multiple touchpoints including content, consumer products, and experiential marketing.

As a Fortune 500 company and global market leader in the toy industry, Mattel competes directly with Hasbro and other major entertainment companies while maintaining distinctive advantages in brand recognition, retail relationships, and content creation capabilities across its diverse portfolio.
The EMEA region represents a critical growth market for Mattel, with significant opportunities for expansion in both traditional and emerging markets, supported by strong retail partnerships and increasing demand for licensed content across European publishing markets.
Mattel emphasizes creativity, inclusion, and collaborative innovation while maintaining a performance-driven environment that balances creative freedom with commercial accountability, reflected in their industry recognition for workplace excellence.
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