This job might no longer be available.

Corporate Development Principal

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world.

Learn more online at Pokemon.com and on Facebook (facebook.com/pokemon), YouTube (youtube.com/pokemon), Twitter (twitter.com/pokemon), and Instagram (instagram.com/pokemon).

Get to know the role

The newly formed President & Corporate Development Office at The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) is looking to add a proven leader, builder, connector, and self-starter to the team. This team is in start-up mode and is driving corporate strategy, Pokémon Group (The Pokémon Company – Japan, Game Freak, Creatures and Millennium Print Group) collaboration and synergy, and creating the fire to fuel our corporate development and Innovation. This role, Corporate Development Principal, is uniquely positioned to drive future innovation by building a platform to generate and test big ideas while leveraging their unique knowledge of tech and market sectors to create advantageous relationships and opportunities with external co-development partners.

In this role, you will drive the creation and reputation of the Corporate Development & Innovation function and influence the architecture of opportunities with external partners to expand TPCi and achieve our mission to Bring the World Together through Pokémon. Specifically you will initially:

• Design, build and run the TPCi Innovation Challenge, an internal idea-sourcing platform to gather and assess TPCi employees' innovative ideas to introduce brand new Pokémon experiences (products and experiences) to the world.
• Immerse yourself in our unique IP and Brand, really understanding our fans and our opportunities to attract more fans to our brand. Leveraging this unique knowledge and perspective to identify, analyze, monitor, and build relationships with external co-development partners to help expand and architect the future of TPCi and potentially our partner companies ensure growth and longevity of the brand and the people behind it. And,
• Create a platform to test new ideas fand support iterative development by identifying and working with TPCi internal stakeholders and external co-developers. Your relationship building and influence skills will be leveraged extensively in this relationship driven, employee-first culture.

This role is a first for TPCI and puts you in the middle of a growing company who supports a healthy work life blend. It is perfect for the individual who wants to drive positive change at a small company through influence and relationships. The position is a true leader, subject matter expert with a Passion for Pokémon, and reports to the Chief of Staff to the TPCi President & Head of Corporate Development.

• FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt
• People Manager: No

What you’ll do

• Lead the identification, assessment, and execution of investments, strategic projects, and partnerships to support TPCi’s long-term growth strategy.
• Source, research, and recommend potential strategic partners to the President and executive leadership team.
• Monitor and assess technology and market players and trends in gaming, media and entertainment, and related sectors.
• Establish and lead robust processes to source and assess new ideas and opportunities.
• Design and build a process and platform to test new ideas and enable iterative development.
• Effectively partner with key stakeholders to ensure plans, ideas and approaches align with our strategy and are operationally feasible.
• Bring in advisors for the President, executive leadership team, and relevant business leaders to understand the trends and implications for the future of Pokémon businesses.
• Play a role model and advocate to enhance innovation at TPCi.

What you’ll bring

• Twelve (12) years, or more, of relevant professional experience or a demonstrated equivalent level of expertise.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or a demonstrated equivalent level of applicable experience.
• Excellent business sense and ability to connect the relevance of potential partners, tech or new business models with Pokémon’s existing assets and the DNA of the brand.
• Ability to navigate and thrive in ambiguity.
• Deeply connected to a network of investors and entrepreneurs in the technology sector with strong understanding of emerging technologies.
• 10+ years of leading equity investments, JV, and/or co-development partnership transactions.
• Experience in building new products/businesses or supporting startups is a big plus.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to interact and influence across all levels within and outside the company.
• Focuses on the long-term gain over short-term/transactional gains.
• Excellence in developing compelling and precise reports and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to build solid relationships.
• Startup mentality / self-starter with a high desire to learn and grow – highly curious with the ability to calculate risks.
• Dependable and exhibits strong professional integrity and respect for confidentiality.
• A personal interest / connect to the world of Pokémon.

How you’ll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve.
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect

• An employee first culture
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon
• Competitive all cash-based compensation programs – both annual short-term and long-term (3 year cliff-vest) cash incentives are applicable to this role.
• Base salary range:
• For this role, the range is $150,000.00 – $250,000.00. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. Final base salary is directly related to each candidates' qualifications and professional experience uniquely.
• Generous paid family leave
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance
• US Employees: 401k Employer Matching
• UK/IRE Employees: Pension Employer Contributions
• Fitness reimbursement
• Commuter benefit
• LinkedIn learning
• Comprehensive relocation package
• Hybrid work environment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.

#LI-MK1 #LI-hybrid