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Senior Licensing Manager – Preschool

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

Job Title: Senior Licensing Manager – Preschool

Job Summary: The Licensing Team is responsible for creating and executing a range of activities, including (but not limited to) Product Licensing and Retail/Trade Marketing for Licensed Products to increase the visibility of the Pokémon brand across the globe.

This role is completely new within the organization. The infant/toddler/preschool segment is a strategic focus for TPCi, and the Licensing team is charged with building a robust consumer products program utlizing new age-appropriate assets currently under development. The Senior Manager, Licensing – Preschool has a dual function to 1) act as the single point of contact for Preschool across the entire Licensing team, building consensus and ensuring consistent product development, and 2) directly manage key product categories such as Preschool Toys, ELAs and Infant Travel Accessories.

The geographic remit is US & Canada, Latin America and Australia/New Zealand. Additionally, the role will coordinate with TPCi’s Licensing team in London to support distribution of the Preschool Toy range across EMEA.

What you’ll do

• Strategic Management: Partner with Director, Licensing & Promotions and peers across the Licensing team to develop and execute long-term strategic vision for Infant/Toddler/Preschool. Identify key product categories to prioritize for development. Continuously evaluate category landscape to assess white space opportunities.
• Own “Preschool:” Act as single point of contact for “Preschool” across the Licensing team to ensure seamless program launch at retail. This includes managing internal communications, developing relationships with key retail buyers, and liaising with key internal stakeholders such as Marketing, Publishing, Brand Services, Design, Media Licensing and PokemonCenter.com
• Licensee Management: Direct accountability for managing Preschool Toys and Infant/Toddler Travel Accessories. Responsibilities include contract negotiation, partner onboarding, product development and product marketing.
• Line Planning: Collaborate with Licensees and Brand Services team to create line plans against key product categories. Ensure products are concepted to be premium vis a vis their intended distribution channel, and deliver against the Pokemon brand promise.
• Industry Expertise: Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats, and dynamics.
• Financial Planning: Fiscal responsibility for annual budget and quarterly forecast cycles. Present financial results and related business insights to senior management.
• Event Planning & Tradeshows: Participate and assist with the planning and attendance of annual Licensing Summits, Licensing Show, Toy Fair and other trade shows and events to ensure all events are turn-key.

What you’ll bring

• Education: BS or BA Degree and/or equivalent working experience. MBA a plus.
• Experience: +8 years directly related experience with previous experience within a large Toy, Gaming and/or Entertainment company preferred. 3 years minimum experience as a leader of leaders or managing teams. Role requires knowledge of product development, basic finances, retail, category management, marketing and sales.
• Communication Skills: Possess excellent oral and written communication skills; strong relationship building skills; and have an entrepreneurial spirit with a positive, can-do attitude. Must be comfortable building consensus across a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Leadership Skills: Ability and desire to lead a team, providing an inspirational environment for professional growth that is both challenging and supportive.
• Project Management Skills: Must possess a proven ability to independently multi-task projects in a fast-paced environment with maximum efficiency.
• Change Agent: Flexible mindset that continuously evaluates existing processes, systems and workflows with a fresh eye.
• Computer skills: Strong MS Officeincluding Powerpoint presentations and Excel-based analysis.
• Travel: Attend key industry trade shows (NY Toy Fair, Licensing Expo, etc.) as well as occasional partner and/or retail meetings.

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 cash-based compensation programs
• Base salary range: $143000.00 - 216000.00. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. It is common for TPCi to start employees below the midpoint of the range. Final base salary is directly related to each candidates’ qualifications and experience uniquely.
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you
• 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.

Internal Job Code: SP.PLMF.P5

Internal Job Profile: Licensing Specialist (IC5)

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