Manager, Investigations & Employee Relations

About the Company

Mattel is a global toy and family entertainment company focused on creating products and experiences that spark imagination, entertain audiences, and support child development through play. The company emphasizes a workplace where people feel respected, included, and empowered to contribute their best work. Its culture values diverse perspectives across its brands, partners, and suppliers.

Role Overview

Mattel’s Ethics & Compliance function is hiring a Manager, Investigations to lead compliance investigations across the United States. The role calls for an experienced investigator who can manage cases promptly, thoroughly, and with objectivity, while maintaining consistency across the organization. You will collaborate closely with People & Culture Business Partners, Employment Law, Security, IT, Internal Audit, and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Run workplace investigations from start to finish for issues such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, policy breaches, and other employee concerns.
• Collect and evaluate evidence, interview relevant parties, assess credibility, and reach fact-based conclusions aligned with policies and procedures.
• Draft precise investigation records, including interview notes, case overviews, findings, and recommendations.
• Handle investigations efficiently while protecting confidentiality and following compliance and investigative standards.
• Share findings, risk insights, and recommendations with Employment Law, People & Culture, and business leaders to guide decisions and corrective action.
• Keep case files current and accurate in the organization’s centralized case management system.
• Act as a dependable advisor to People & Culture Business Partners and business leaders on complex employee relations issues.
• Support conflict resolution and mediation efforts to address workplace issues and drive lasting outcomes.
• Build effective working relationships across the company and engage confidently with employees at all levels.
• Handle sensitive matters with discretion, professionalism, and a strong commitment to confidentiality.
• Work with Compliance teams to improve investigation processes, controls, policies, training, and risk reduction efforts.
• Review investigation patterns and root causes to help shape proactive compliance and employee relations strategies.
• Join quarterly discussions with external auditors on investigation matters, controls, and related processes.
• Partner with People & Culture Business Partners to develop and deliver training on workplace conduct, investigations, and employee relations.
• Assist with regional and global investigations as needed alongside the Senior Director of Global Investigations & Employee Relations and local People & Culture teams.

Qualifications and Skills

• At least 5 years of experience leading end-to-end workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, and other complex employee relations matters.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, with the ability to apply them in practice.
• Strong abilities in investigative interviewing, fact gathering, analysis, documentation, and report writing.
• Comfort handling sensitive and difficult conversations with employees and leaders across all levels.
• Ability to earn trust, build credibility, and maintain productive relationships across varied stakeholder groups.
• Excellent organization, project coordination, and time management, with careful attention to detail.
• Capability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-moving, high-volume environment and adjust to changing business needs.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, use sound judgment, and protect confidential information.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent mix of education and relevant experience is preferred.
• Professional credentials such as AWI-CH, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or similar are preferred.
• Experience with NAVEX or other case management and ethics reporting tools is preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency, written and spoken, is preferred.
• Experience supporting investigations across multiple jurisdictions or global organizations is preferred.

Additional Information

The stated pay range is only an indicative hiring range. Base pay will depend on the candidate’s location, skills, and experience. Mattel provides competitive total compensation, comprehensive benefits, and resources designed to help employees reach their full potential.

Inclusion Statement

Applicants do not need to match every qualification exactly. Mattel encourages people from all backgrounds to apply, including those whose experience may not align perfectly with every requirement. The company is committed to an inclusive workplace and a strong sense of belonging.

How Mattel Works

• Collaborate: The company operates as one team with shared values and goals, believing that partnership leads to better outcomes.
• Innovate: Mattel encourages new thinking, fresh ideas, and better ways of creating products and experiences with real impact.
• Execute: The organization is performance-driven and values accountability, ownership, and delivering strong results.

About Mattel

Mattel owns one of the world’s most recognized brand portfolios, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA, and Polly Pocket. Its business spans toys, content, consumer products, digital experiences, and live experiences, supported through partnerships with leading retail and ecommerce companies. Founded in 1945, Mattel is known for its award-winning workplace culture and has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and others.

Equal Opportunity and Legal Notice

Mattel is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or protected veteran status, disability status, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, or local law. In line with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, candidates with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Brand and Culture References

Mattel also references its culture content and corporate philanthropy materials as additional ways to learn about the organization.