Director, Global Hardlines

The Walt Disney Company•Glendale, CA

About The Position

From toys to apparel, books to games, and much more, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) brings our company’s products, through stories and characters, to markets worldwide. With a portfolio of renowned franchises including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Studios and National Geographic, our efforts to deliver innovative and experiential products, designed to entertain and inspire, is industry leading and category shaping. The Director is responsible for leading TWDC’s market share and strategic positioning in the Disney Vehicles, Figures, and Doll space. They will lead global licensee partnerships (ex. Mattel, Jakks) to grow the overall hardlines licensing business. The Director ensures that consumer products programs are developed for content and marketing events, new consumer trends, and brand activations – and that revenue goals are achieved.

Requirements

Excellent understanding of brand and property positioning, retail business development function, retail distribution and the retail environment
Data/insights driven individual with strong financial acumen and a well-developed understanding of market research, data analysis and data storytelling
Firsthand experience with marketing/product development and developing/executing brand plans
Comprehensive knowledge of licensees' production and creative capabilities/limitations
Strong leader with exceptional communication, presentation, and influencing skills
Flexible/adaptable, able to collaborate, influence and persuade at all levels of an organization
Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, flexible and able to work in a fast-paced environment
Open and effective communicator able to develop respect and build partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders
Solution oriented team player with a curiosity for problem solving
Comfortable working through a highly matrix structure to deliver business objectives
Bachelor's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 10 years of directly related experience or Masters degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience

Responsibilities

Define category and brand strategy by reviewing market share and data analytics to develop strategies and business plans by consumer demo, brand and property for core toys
Accountable for management of all licensees within the product categories, which includes contract negotiation, business and product planning, and marketing alignment
Manage day to day relationship with licensees
Responsible to interact with regions to help drive financial success and market share growth: drive regular communication and information flow, incorporate feedback for product development, marketing plans and contract negotiation
Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics
Responsible for cost assessment, recommendation and control of research dedicated to managed category
Identify growth opportunities by category, franchise and distribution and select, pitch and execute new deals to fill gaps
Negotiate financial deal points and other material terms on new deals and renewals with the support from VP
Set-up and lead licensee business reviews, as well as internal and external line reviews
Fiscal responsibility for assigned categories and business segments (setting annual AOP targets, obtaining and reviewing quarterly forecasts)
Build and present category forecast and budget
Responsible for category input within the 5 years strategic plan
Finalize/negotiate licensee business plans
Collaborate with product development and cross functional teams to build licensee line plans; ensuring appropriate sku count and price points, maximizing the commercial opportunities
Lead category and brand direction of creative roll-out for appropriate licensees
With Regional and Sales teams input, partner with Product Development to define and plan retailer exclusives
Partner with regional teams and sales in assortment / planning / pitches where relevant
In conjunction with the Brand teams: Provide any licensee /product information in support of marketing and brand presentations and sales meetings
Help define and integrate licensees within wider brand and marketing plans
Partner with Marketing to build and execute marketing and product launch plans with key partners
Align key priorities to drive growth targets
Perform general supervisory functions such as hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, development and operating expense control
Responsible for growth and development of team culture and team’s wellbeing
Build solid relationships with other DCP teams and business units to share and exchange best practices