Assistant Manager, North America Brand Commercialization, Softlines Licensing – Direct to Retail

Job ID 10107812 Location Glendale, California, United States / Celebration, Florida, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted Dec. 12, 2024

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Job Summary:

At Disney Consumer Products, we inspire imagination around the world and are committed to creating happiness for families and fans by bringing captivating, inspiring, and inclusive products into their daily lives. From toys to t-shirts, console games, books, and more, our team brings our beloved brands and franchises into the lives of families through products and experiences that can be found worldwide, such as the Disney Store e-commerce platform, Disney Parks, local and international retailers, and Disney Store locations around the world.

Be Part of the Story as the Assistant Manager North America Brand Commercialization in Softlines Licensing! This role responsible for leading our focused Direct-to-Retail (DTR) relationships and the associated licensee base with the goal of meeting or exceeding predetermined revenue targets and growth objectives across a portfolio of brands. We go beyond traditional licensing to drive revenue growth through licensed brand collaborations at key retailers that leverage multiple categories, tailored creative, and corresponding marketing activations. This role will develop consumer products programs in alignment with our Evergreen Franchise teams and new content partners.

This role reports to the Sr. Manager, North American Brand Commercialization Softlines.

This is a Full Time role.

What You Will Do:

Category Management
- Assist in defining and driving the business strategy for assigned categories
- Drive strategic direction for categories assigned to the team by the governance committee and assist on categories not directly assigned
- Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics
- Research & understand competitive landscape. Analyze and understand market trends, consumer trends, retailer and industry needs. Perform retail-shopping analysis
- Lead licensee portfolio / co-manage where relevant with LOB partner (onboarding, contract negotiation, resolving issues, data management, approvals, submissions, promotion / advertising) as well as day-to-day relationship with licensees
- Provide management support in everyday responsibilities such as contract and amendment process, financial analysis, preparing presentations and other projects as necessary
- Perform all functions of “Contract Ambassador” including contract maintenance such as amendments
- Schedule and develop agendas for partner touch bases, joint business planning meetings, content updates and other meetings
- Compile sample requests for internal teams
- Update and maintain DTR launch calendar
Finance and Business Planning:
- Annual budget planning and quarterly revenue forecasting
- Assist in building and analyzing final forecast and present to internal management
- Identify new business and revenue opportunities and strategize toward building incremental business as needed
- Develop executive presentations with leadership
Brand and Content Management:
- Inform and guide licensees in the execution of all brand marketing initiatives, define and integrate licensees within wider brand and marketing plans
- Work with Franchise team to provide category/business input to strategic and brand planning
- Complete analysis and help develop presentations in support of brand and category management
Product Development:
- Set-up line reviews with licensees and Product Development team
- With the Product Development team approve and maintain line lists
- With Sales team define and plan product development for retailer exclusive products
- Liaise with Product Development team to ensure timely approval of products which may include leading meetings, coordinating programs across all categories, reviewing line lists, responding to product development team in the case of OPA submission changes, implementing merchandising plans, public relations and advertising coordination
- Prepare product presentations included but not limited to internal line reviews
- Ensure licensee product lines reflect quality and brand/property objectives
- Route customized packaging
Retail, Sales and Marketing
- Help to create retail and marketing strategies that complement all segments of the brand
- Provide all needed product and licensee information to the sales and marketing to support retail road shows and presentations
- Build collaborations with other DCPI key business units, X-franchise teams and/or global partners which can result in new business and/or cross-promotional opportunities
- Liaise with Sales Trade Marketing team to define account promotional and marketing plans and ensure licensee participation
- Partner with sales in assortment / retail planning / sales pitches where relevant

Required Qualifications and Skills:

3+ years of related experience
Strong understanding of brand and property positioning, retail business development function, retail distribution and the retail environment
Analytical/strategic thinker
Experience in licensing, business development, account management, retail, technology, and/or consumer electronics a plus
Strong understanding of licensees' production and creative capabilities/limitations
Team player with strong interpersonal skills
Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to handle multiple tasks/assignments
Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication/presentation/influencing/relationship building skills
Solid computer skills (Excel, Power Point, Word, Keynote)

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Benefits and Perks:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $85,800.00-$115,000.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Disney Consumer Products, Inc., which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

Disney Consumer Products, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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