Senior Licensing Sales Manager (12-month Fixed-term contract)

About the Role & Team

Responsible for key commercial licensing activities, and strategic oversight of the Action Figure Category. Responsible for implementing and driving global and regional (EMEA) long term and fiscal year strategies.

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 proactive in identifying new white space opportunities and target partners.

This role is a 12-month Fixed-Term Contract covering Parental Leave, and will require you to be onsite 4 days a week.

What You Will Do

• In line with the global and 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
• Own the annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting process, developing licensee objectives and initiatives to drive growth, working with franchise, marketing, product development and finance
• Evaluate Action Figure licensee base and drive an optimisation plan to ensure effective and focused business management and planning to support growth across the category
• 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 the Disney Partners in order to drive and deliver strategic growth in licensing sales on behalf of the EMEA business.
• Conduct or be involved in contract negotiations with licensees and distributors as appropriate to improve Disney royalty revenue and appropriately advise all key partners with the relevant information (global, EMEA and local as the need arises)
• Work 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 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 Global counterparts to ensure regular communication flow on the latest initiatives and ongoing liaison regarding joint/global licensees where relevant
• Work closely with the other managers within the regional licensing sales team to coordinate ranges and launches with licensees across categories (hardlines and FMCG roles only)
• In partnership with legal team, deal with any legal issues affecting the country/region
• Responsible for the professional development of Managers and a coordinator.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Financial savvy – to translate numbers into a working plan
• Ability to analyse data, construct practical conclusions and implement recommendations to achieve business targets
• Resilient and flexible in a constantly evolving landscape
• Computer literate including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Keynote
• A good eye for digital, social and brick and mortar marketing
• Excellent commercial and strategic approaches to problem solving and innovation
• Outstanding planning and organisation skills
• Strong influencing skills to achieve consensus at all levels
• Forward thinking with the ability to take industry trends and translate them into something that drives growth for The Walt Disney Company!
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA
• Experience within consumer products business
• Proven background of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments to achieve financial targets and joint goals
• Shown experience of developing the performance of a team

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 reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.