Sr. Account Manager - License (India account)

American Eagle Outfitters • New York, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr Account Manager, License, is the primary commercial leader between AEO, Inc. and its License business partners. This person will provide general business oversight to the assigned partner within the International portfolio, including franchises and other business models.  He or she will be responsible for developing scaled lanes of growth and profitability across multiple AEO brands and channels.

This individual will be highly thoughtful and balanced in approach and demeanor with internal and external peers and leaders, solution-oriented, and sharply focused on driving short and long-term results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 6-8 years of experience in International, managing strategic partnerships across multi-store/multi-channel/specialty retail brands
• Experience of the Indian market, its dynamics and the marketplace required
• International product/brand experience is required
• Proven commercial track record of driving accelerated growth for host brand / Licensee teams across India market required
• Experience working with franchised, licensed, or JV partners across international markets required
• Extremely strong verbal/written communication and persuasion skills; ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Extremely strong business acumen; demonstrated ability to immediately identify areas of the business that need attention
• Strong instincts and passion for customer and brand experience; innovative and willing to take calculated risks
• The ideal candidate will excel and be energized by detailed processes, enjoy influencing and collaborating in a highly matrixed team and provide an agile and analytical skill set to deliver insightful data and analysis, model business scenarios.
• Ability to travel internationally required, with emphasis on India market travel
• Ability to work outside of standard U.S. business hours is required at times due to time zone accommodations
• Collaborative mindset; Working well across teams

Responsibilities

• Drives the strategic planning and execution agenda for the India License business, resulting in robust multi-channel business plans which support AEO strategic growth initiatives.
• Ensure that robust strategic and tactical business plans are in place and that various enablers from AEO are supporting these plans to deliver on our collective growth and profitability ambitions.
• Synchronizing cross-functional goals across AEO and the Licensee teams, and significantly increasing speed to market in decision-making and execution.
• Collaborates with Licensee leadership teams to ensure resources and capabilities are in place to achieve delivery of business plan objectives.
• Conduct and present recurring business performance analyses to formulate both in-season actions and future strategic shifts.
• Own the development of the Annual Forecast and LRP (long-range plan) in collaboration with the cross-functional team, including key partnerships with Planning and Finance, for relevant accounts.
• Lead AEO cross-functional team in the development and execution of strategic action plans which mutually benefit the Licensee and AEO. Collaborate regularly with AEO cross-functional teams to support the Licensee’s business plans across all day-to-day operations.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the Licensee’s business operations, across all channels, as well as short/medium/long-term business plans, to support the Licensee’s success and ability to generate profits and cash flow.
• Partner to diagnose barriers that affect performance and assist with developing business plans to maximize improvement (growth across channels, operations, marketing, real estate, etc.)
• Actively participates in AEO’s go-to-market T&A, ensuring that seasonal OTB decisions are congruent with business plans and seasonal strategies.
• Enhance the value added by AEO as a host brand through the assimilation of business insights, advice, best practices, and thought partnership.
• Enables the development of long-term plans by assisting in the implementation of new store development, digital site/marketplace development, or other emerging channel opportunities.
• Vigilant and thorough understanding of local markets, trends, competition, nuances, threats, and opportunities.  Communicate this information to all relevant parties and formulate a proposed plan of action or response as necessary.
• Ensure Licensee compliance with all Standard Operating Procedures (Operations Manual) and develop corrective action plans, milestones, and timetables where appropriate.
• As needed, drive contract negotiations, inclusive of renewals, amendments, terms and conditions pivots, rights and privileges, and business goals.
• Day-to-day, this individual will actively participate and engage in AEO and Licensee meetings, market travel, research, and cross-functional meetings, build deep knowledge of the region, markets, consumer needs/preferences/perceptions, and serve as a champion for on-the-ground knowledge of Licensee business/operating dynamics.

Benefits

• Generous employee discount
• Summer Fridays
• Casual dress code
• Hybrid schedule
• FOMO events (Exciting company-wide events)
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level