About the Role & Team

Responsible for key commercial licensing activities with specific focus on relevant category. Covering a wide portfolio of licensees, implement and complete long term and fiscal year strategies to improve the product category in order to reach all consumer demographics and improve sales and earned revenue.

Relationships are key to the success of this role, both internally and externally. You will be required to actively lead and nurture the engagement, partnership and joint business planning with each account, new and existing, in order to negotiate regional contracts and ultimately drive and deliver strategic growth in licensing sales on behalf of the business.

Apply creativity, commerciality and expertise in relevant category product development and utilise knowledge of digital, social and bricks and mortar marketing alongside key trends and consumer insight to develop and drive succinct strategies cross company and departmentally. Be agile in order to capitalise on the moment and identify new opportunities and target partners.

This role will require you to be onsite 4 days a week out of our London office in Hammersmith.

What You Will Do

• In line with the regional strategy, develop, set and complete strategies for the relevant category in conjunction with relevant partners including plans for new business for each sub-category and franchise
• Handle the annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting process, developing licensee objectives and initiatives to drive growth, working with franchise, marketing, product development and finance
• Actively lead and nurture the relationship engagement, partnership and joint business planning as appropriate with each licensee, new and existing
• Evaluate licensee base and drive an optimisation plan to ensure effective and focused business management and strategic planning to support growth across categories
• Conduct or be involved in contract negotiations with licensees and distributors as appropriate to maximise Disney royalty revenue and appropriately advise all key partners with the relevant information (global, EMEA and local as required)
• Work closely with the regional creative teams, product approvers, franchise and marketing teams to support the sale of the product as required by licensee/retailer
• Communicate the International Labour Standards (ILS) process and be the conduit between the supplier and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) ILS team
• Identify, pitch and secure new licensees that improve the category growth in a substantial manner
• Collaborate and develop positive relationships with Disney market teams providing information and regular strategy and franchise updates as well as understanding and satisfying local market needs and differences. Utilise these relationships to share best practise
• Establish a good working relationship with US counterparts to ensure regular communication flow on the latest initiatives and ongoing liaison regarding joint/global licensees where relevant
• In conjunction with legal team, deal with any legal issues affecting the country/region

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Financial foresight
• Ability to analyse data, construct practical conclusions and implement recommendations to achieve business targets
• An ability to be agile in order to capitalise on the moment and identify new opportunities and target partners
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint); adept in use of video conferencing tools such as Zoom, crucial
• Excellent commercial and strategic approaches to problem solving and innovation
• Outstanding planning and organisation skills
• Strong negotiating skills with the ability to achieve consensus at all levels
• Strong written and spoken English for business use, crucial, with the ability to optimally present both virtually and face to face, beneficial
• Cultural sensitivity
• A background in fashion buying and product development, merchandising or commercial fashion sales, desirable
• Degree level education in a related field or equivalent work experience
• Experience within consumer products management
• Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments to achieve financial targets and joint goals

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.