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Product Manager (Licensing)

  • Sales, Business Development, Business Consulting
  • Marketing and PR, Advertising and Creative Media Jobs
  • Management (incl. project, product management & human resources)
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Description

  • Support Senior Brand Manager in executing against approved product roadmap by ensuring the products meet the product line strategy: style guide design/color, age grades, play patterns, and content.
  • Act as a liaison between licensors and Hong Kong team to ensure proper use of licensed property and communicating project information throughout the product development process.
  • Ensure successful launch of licensed products while maintaining good working relationships between the company and licensors.
  • Ensure company standards are met for each licensed product while meeting the contractual obligations of each licensor.
  • Document and track each approval step required by the licensors.
  • Participate in cross-departmental projects and provide expertise on all things related to licensed products as needed.
  • Manage key product details, ensuring timely communication across the organization of shifts in elements such as SRP, age grades, shipment dates, and key features.
  • Collaborate with global product teams to ensure products developed are optimized for both US and global product needs, refining to deliver the best product to market.
  • Lead new product development efforts including setting direction on product definition, design and features/benefits.
  • Interpret consumer insights as provided by research team and Sr Brand Manager to inform product development and feature improvements.
  • Partner with the Learning team on products to review and implement necessary changes in features set or content to ensure curriculum meets age requirements and developmental needs as needed.
  • Lead product milestones which include design feedback, reviewing game specs, voice direction and recordings, graphic/image reviews, audio selection, and program testing; provide product-specific feedback to Hong Kong design and engineering team.
  • Assist Senior Brand Manager in collaborating with Hong Kong and EU colleagues in developing global product-specific strategies, when required.
  • Support market research efforts to test viability of product concepts; assist in preparations and execution.
  • Manage and drive all detailed project schedules for licensed product lines.
  • Help to select voice talents for US appropriateness.
  • Write and edit product-specific copy and content with a focus on educational material and creative game play.
  • Monitor key competitor products and market trends and provide input to Hong Kong and global teams.
  • Work closely with content, product development and operations teams to achieve cost targets and ensure on-time market entry.
  • Attend educator conferences and seminars to stay up to date on education trends.
  • Assist in development and delivery of presentations for internal stakeholder meetings, retail presentations and media events, as needed.
  • Collaborate through communication and teamwork with co-workers, management, clients and others in a courteous, and professional manner
  • Exercise sound business judgment
  • Work independently and collaboratively and manage time effectively in order to meet changing deadlines and priorities.
  • Treat all employees, guests and customers and others affiliated with our business with respect.
  • Conform and abide by all laws, regulations, policies, work procedures, instructions and VTech’s Rules of Engagement.
  • Conform with all safety rules and use all appropriate safety equipment.
  • Other duties as needed or required.

Responsibilities

  • Excellent written and oral skills to communicate clearly and negotiate effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Must be able to manage product plan development with organizational complexity and ambiguity.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and scripting skills, including proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Ability to manage all details of a project from conception to final product release.
  • Strong creative, problem-solving skills necessary.
  • Strong computer skills; proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
  • Solid competency in time management and project management.
  • Strong organization and prioritization skills.
  • Ability to balance creative sensibilities with analytical thinking.
  • 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in the area of product development, project management, toys, licensing, games, journalism, children’s software, education, writing/editing or similar field.
  • Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Child Education or a related field; or any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform essential functions of this role.

Hard Skills

  • Microsoft Office
  • Windows operating system
  • Advanced Excel Skills (queries, pivot tables, formulas, macros)
  • Product development
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Business planning
  • Product roadmapping
  • Deliverable management
  • Ability to use project management software
  • Advanced language knowledge
  • Advanced writing skills
  • Proofreading and editing skills

Soft Skills

  • Communication
  • Problem-solver
  • Time management
  • Organized
  • Creative