Director, Americas Brand Commercialization

As a member of our Consumer Products, Games, and Publishing division (CPGP), the Director, Regional Brand Commercialization will drive the strategic commercialization strategies for our consumer products and retail channels within the Americas region for The Walt Disney Company’s portfolio for the Disney & Pixar brands.

This role will be responsible for driving brand and category strategies through collaborative partnerships with CPGP Global Brand Commercialization, Category and Retail teams, Finance, Creative, Product Development, Marketing Strategy, PR, and other key stakeholders across CPGP, and Walt Disney Company content partners.

You will operate transparently and seamlessly, regionalizing global brand commercialization strategies to drive brand and franchise growth in the Americas. In addition, you will lead the communication and mobilization of brand plans, internally and externally, championing alignment and execution, driving and supporting implementation across the business. You will also partner closely with the marketing team and licensees to develop and deploy effective activities to support the overall brand strategies and initiatives. As a leader, you will contribute to building and strengthening a culture that is nimble, productive, forward looking, and entrepreneurial.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Drive development of integrated franchise strategies and brand expansion efforts for all Marvel, Star Wars and 20th franchises in The Americas.

• Collaborate with cross-functionals teams (Category Licensing, Retail, Finance, Marketing, PR, Creative & Product Development) to create Brand Strategies that drive the business with both a near term and long-term view for franchise growth.

• Ability to triangulate data sources that define the shape of our business.  Set and track brand KPIs and consumer insights to monitor brand health in order to provide actionable insights to ultimately craft the brand strategy.

• Accountable for the delivery of regional brand AOP. 

• Collaborate with Global Brand Commercialization counterparts to provide input into global franchise strategies and ongoing feedback into progress against those strategies.

• Evaluate and mobilize The Americas team against new global IP and evergreen franchise initiatives.

• Act as a brand steward for the managed franchises, supporting the business with reviews and approvals to ensure consistency and compliance to the franchise attributes and goals.

• Contribute to building and strengthening a culture that is nimble, productive, moves with pace, entrepreneurial and forward-looking.  

• Role model integrity, champion change and be a positive ambassador for the Walt Disney Company.

• Represent and present the franchise with ownership & enthusiasim (e.g. keynote brand presenter) for all selected internal and external presentations and meetings.

• Continually evaluate processes to maximize efficiencies in ways of working, leveraging technology

• Create an inclusive culture with the right people at the table, where everyone contributes

• A people leader who will lead a team through optimism, strategic thinking, creativity, strong collaboration, with empathy and integrity while instilling trust.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum 10-12 years brand, sales, marketing experience in a CPG, licensed environment

• Strong understanding of the Marvel, Star Wars and 20th brands, The Americas retail landscape and entertainment licensing business.

• Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments to achieve financial targets and joint goals

• Extensive experience managing cross-internal stakeholder relationships (licensing, retail, product development, creative, global brand)

• Strong experience managing a brand, account, retailer, preferably across multiple categories

• Experience with brand licensing.  Brand marketing experience with consumer goods a plus

• Experience leading different senior stakeholders and getting support through negotiation and influencing, demonstrating resilience, tenacity and diplomacy

• Able to drive a vision with commercial results; a blend of commercial and marketing skills

• Financial acumen understanding levers that can be pulled to deliver commercial growth

• Strong people management skills, comfortable managing a small team and in-direct stakeholders, executive presence with senior team

• Comfortable using and working through a matrix structure and operating with pace to deliver the end solution

• Able to drive internal focus through visual sales tools and compelling strategy

• Open communicator who shows curiosity for solution seeking

• Ability to craft compelling content, marketing and pitch presentations and confidently present them to internal and external partners, including key licensees and retailers

• Strong relationship building skills; able to collaborate, influence, and persuade at all levels of an organization, both internal and external

Required Education 

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $182,700 to $245,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.