Head of GCC

Mattel; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading toy manufacturer is seeking a Head of GCC based in Dubai to drive regional strategies and expand brand presence across the Middle East. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of senior leadership experience in brand management and a deep understanding of franchise ecosystems. This role requires strong leadership skills and a strategic mindset, with a focus on building relationships and driving commercial success across the region.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of senior leadership experience in franchise management or retail, preferably in the Middle East.
• Proven success in franchise ecosystems and scaling IP-driven businesses.
• Fluency in English; Arabic is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the GCC team, setting clear vision and priorities.
• Drive the GCC commercial agenda with sales and retail strategies.
• Build and expand strategic relationships with partners and retailers.
• Act as the senior representative of the company across the GCC.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Brand management

Stakeholder management

Market insight

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Marketing

Job description

Please note that this role will be filled through Adecco, a third-party recruitment agency. However, all hiring processes, including applications and interviews, will be managed by Mattel.

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 Opportunity:

We are seeking a visionary Head of GCC to lead our business across Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. As the senior leader for the region, you will have full responsibility for the GCC team and commercial agenda, with a clear mandate to drive our franchise-first strategy—positioning our brands at the center and expanding their reach through toys, consumer products, publishing, and location-based entertainment (LBE).

You will set clear business goals, deliver operating income (OI) targets, and ensure sustainable growth across the GCC region. More than selling individual products, this position is about building brand universes that resonate deeply with consumers, retailers, and partners.

This role is not about selling individual products—it’s about building brand universes that resonate with consumers, retailers, and partners. You will be responsible for shaping the regional growth strategy, driving commercial performance, and ensuring our franchises become deeply embedded in the GCC cultural and consumer landscape.

Job Description

What Your Impact Will Be:

• Regional Leadership: Lead and inspire the GCC team, setting clear vision and priorities, ensuring collaboration across functions, and fostering a culture of performance and accountability.
• Regional Leadership & P&L: Lead the GCC business with full P&L ownership, driving goal setting, revenue delivery, and OI performance.
• Franchise-First Growth: Position the brand/IP at the core of all activities, localizing and executing global franchise strategies across toys, consumer products, publishing, and LBE.
• Commercial Excellence: Drive the GCC commercial agenda—developing and executing sales and retail strategies that maximize consumer reach and revenue growth across all verticals.
• Brand Building: Partner with Marketing and Licensing to strengthen the presence of our brands, creating consumer demand and engagement across physical and digital touchpoints.
• Partnership Development: Build and expand long-term strategic relationships with retailers, licensees, and partners, ensuring alignment to the franchise strategy.
• Team Leadership: Build, coach, and develop a high-performing GCC team, ensuring strong succession pipelines and talent development.
• Market Insight: Lead market intelligence efforts to identify opportunities, consumer trends, and competitor activity, translating insights into actionable strategies.
• Representation: Act as the senior representative of the company across the GCC, engaging with partners, customers, and local authorities to strengthen reputation and market presence.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• 7–10 years of senior leadership experience in franchise/brand management, consumer products, entertainment, or retail—preferably in the Middle East.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• Proven success in driving brand-led franchise ecosystems and scaling IP-driven businesses across multiple categories.
• Strong commercial and retail acumen with deep understanding of licensing, CP, and multi-category brand monetization.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• A strategic, consumer-obsessed thinker with the ability to execute in-market.
• Fluency in English; Arabic a plus.
• Willingness to travel frequently across the GCC region.

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.