Senior Manager, Brand - Licensed Sports & Fan Collectibles

Jazwares, LLC • Culver City, CA

21d • $112,440 - $139,440 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Brand leads end-to-end product execution for a portfolio of trend-driven licensed sports and fan collectible brands. The role manages plush and plastic product lines from concept through retail launch, bringing emerging pop culture, sports, and entertainment trends to global retail. It serves as the primary brand steward with sports properties, governing bodies, and entertainment partners, overseeing brand strategy, product lines, and partner relationships.

The role works across product design, packaging, marketing, licensing, sales, and manufacturing to develop brand-accurate product lines, support global retail channel strategies, and manage product schedules, budgets, pricing, inventory, and profitability. It also leads and mentors a team, manages licensor approvals and vendor communications, analyzes commercial and consumer information to identify growth opportunities, and prepares product presentations for key accounts.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in brand management, product development, or licensing, specifically involving major sports properties, sports merchandise, trading cards, or licensed fan products.
• Proven experience navigating complex sports or entertainment licensor approval workflows and managing strategic brand partnerships.
• At least 3 years of team leadership or supervisory experience with a record of driving results.
• Knowledge of the end-to-end product development lifecycle, manufacturing processes, and licensor approval workflows.
• Advanced analytical skills, including experience analyzing sales data, managing retail exclusives, and evaluating competitive landscapes.
• Deep understanding of sports, pop culture trends, and fan-driven consumer products.
• High proficiency with project management software, MS Office, Google Workspace, and digital rights management (DRM) systems.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, and the ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience managing plush or plastic products, or action figures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary brand steward with major sports properties, governing bodies, and entertainment partners, managing brand strategy, product lines, and partner relationships.
• Translate athlete partnerships, sporting event milestones, seasonality, and fan trends into action figures, toys, and collectibles.
• Collaborate with product design, packaging, marketing, and licensing teams to build diverse, brand-accurate product lines for global retail channel strategies.
• Manage, mentor, and guide a team while acting as lead point of contact for assigned brands and keeping brand integrity and schedules on track.
• Analyze sales data, competitive landscapes, and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities, co-develop retail exclusive plans, and inform product line architecture.
• Coordinate design approvals, ensure adherence to style guides, and communicate licensor feedback to vendors and cross-functional teams.
• Oversee project budgets, verify vendor quotes, negotiate pricing, and work with Sales and Manufacturing to manage inventory and profitability.
• Plan and deliver product presentations for key accounts, gathering global field and sales input to refine product lines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Basic medical insurance fully paid by the company for employees and their children.
• Employee basic life and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) retirement program with company matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Flexible work schedule: on-site Monday through Thursday, optional work from home on Fridays, and up to 20 fully remote workdays annually.
• Time off for vacation and sick leave.
• Up to 16 hours annually for volunteering on community service projects through Jazwares Cares.
• Eligibility for an annual performance incentive may apply.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed