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Sr. Manager, Licensing (Toys & Games)
3 years ago
Summary of the Role
The Senior Manager, Licensing, is an integral team member reporting to the Director, Licensing and is responsible for the development and day-to-day management of the Toys & Games business in North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand. This includes strategic planning, business development, sales and marketing. The target demographics are youth, teens, young adults, and adults. The Senior Manager, Licensing will communicate TPCi’s brand licensing strategy effectively to licensees and other partners and ensure all activity and brand representation is in alignment with TPCi’s overall objectives and guidelines.
What You Will Do
Licensing Expert: Become the expert on the merchandise licensing industry across Toy categories. Includes deep understanding of retail landscape, key categories for each target demographic, market potential, consumer insight and trends, and top tier players in the field.
Drive the Business: Work alongside the Director, Licensing to develop a strategic merchandise licensing program, including identifying and assessing new licensing product opportunities and partners, anticipating roadblocks and proactively taking measures to address them. Negotiate and review business terms and contracts.
Master Toy: Own the day-to-day relationship with TPCI’s Master Toy Partner (Jazwares), facilitating line planning, product development and retail marketing.
Product Development: Building on industry expertise and manufacturing know-how, develop a point of view on the creative direction for the toy and game categories. Collaborate with licensees and TCPI’s Consumer Products Approval team to identify the creative solutions necessary to bring innovative, trend-right products to market.
Financial Planning: Assist with annual budgeting, financial planning & development and implementation of strategic licensing plans to hit revenue targets, grow the licensing business and generate incremental revenue. Partner with Finance to ensure that monthly reports are received from licensees and that all requested information is being provided.
Partner Compliance: Liaise with partners and global teams to approve product design, production and promotion for products under license. Monitor existing partners to ensure active development, product innovation, marketing dates, safety and financial compliance. Work closely with legal team as necessary.
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. Ensure visibility of our licensed products during trade shows and Pokémon events.
Embrace the Pokémon Brand: Keep up to date on Pokémon’s wide range of product offerings and content, inclusive of the Animated series, Trading Card Game, Video Games and Mobile. Use this knowledge to inform product development.
What You Will Bring
Education: BS or BA Degree and/or equivalent working experience.
Experience: 8-10 years related experience, with previous experience in toy licensing, manufacturing or related field required. 3-5 years management experience.
Functional Knowledge: Demonstrated success leading a toy line from concept through retail execution, either as a licensor or a manufacturer.
How You Will Be Successful
Communication: You have impeccable written and verbal communication with ability to translate technical information in a non-technical format. You utilize active listening skills and ensure that stakeholders feel heard.
Collaborative and Inclusive: You encourage team unity through sharing information or expertise, working together to solve problems and putting team success first. You ensure joint ownership of goal setting, commitments and accomplishments and involve everyone on the team.
Great people skills: You know the “how” is as important as the “what” and you aim to build effective relationships across the organizations, as well as externally with 3 rd parties. You are mindful of diverse perspectives and engage clients in a professional manner.
Professional Know-How: You effectively apply professional knowledge to solve a range of problems. You possess an in-depth knowledge and skill in a technical area. You are sought out as an expert to provide advice or solutions in his/her technical area. You keep informed about cutting-edge technology in your technical area.
Bias for Action: You enjoy a challenge, can act with a minimum amount of planning, and seize opportunities when they come your way. You can be counted on to complete tasks and projects on-time.
Growth mindset: You continuously look for new or nontraditional ideas to improve personal, team and operational effectiveness. You act as a mentor and encourage employees to improve and develop individual skills.
What to Expect
We offer a professional, fun and creative work environment. While we maintain a good balance between work and life, additional hours may be required at peak times or for specific initiatives. Must be able to travel domestic and internationally (if travel restrictions under the current COVID-19 circumstances are lifted.)
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.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of people so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
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