Licensing Sales Manager

About The Role & Team

Plan and execute long term and fiscal year strategies. Be responsible for the commercial management of a series of existing accounts & categories.  Provide effective and focused business management and strategic planning to support growth of the category. Where relevant, identify, pitch and secure new licensees that enhance the category growth in a substantial manner.

Relationships are key to the success of this role, both internally and externally. The candidate will be required to actively manage and cultivate engagement and joint business planning They will also be required to negotiate regional contracts & support global negotiations to deliver strategic growth in licensing sales  for the EMEA business.

Bring creative, product & commercial expertise to support the delivery of ranges relevant to the region & leverage digital, social and bricks and mortar marketing taking into consideration key trends and consumer insight to drive sales conversion. Be agile in order to capitalise on the moment and identify new opportunities

What You Will You Do

• In conjunction with Senior Licensing Sales Manager, implement the long-term strategy for specific department in collaboration with relevant stakeholders utilising key trends, commercial and consumer insight, develop and drive succinct strategies
• Manage the annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting process, developing supplier (licensee) objectives and strategies, working with markets, consumer demo groups, category teams, brand commercialisation , marketing, product development and finance to drive growth
• Actively manage and cultivate the relationship engagement and joint business planning with each EMEA account
• Execute contract negotiations for certain accounts and appropriately inform all key stakeholders (global, EMEA and local)
• Work closely with the creative teams on product development and the marketing teams to support licensee marketing & support Disney marketing campaigns
• Collaborate and develop strong relationships with Disney market teams, both category and retail providing key licensee & product information and regular strategy and franchise updates.  Understand and satisfy local market needs and differences. Utilise these relationships to share best practise
• Build relationships with the international DCP teams in order to share knowledge and best practices
• Communicate requirements for key compliance terms within license agreement, including but not limited to ILS and Sustainability

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Manager level experience in a commercial function
• Degree level education in a related field or equivalent work experience
• Experience within consumer products business
• Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments to achieve financial targets and joint goals
• Proven experience of developing the performance of a team
• Financial acumen – an ability to translate numbers into a working plan
• Ability to analyse data, construct practical conclusions and implement recommendations to achieve business targets
• An ability to be agile in order to capitalise on the moment and identify new opportunities and target partners
• Resilient and nimble in an ever changing landscape
• Computer literate including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Keynote
• Fluent English, essential; other European languages, beneficial
• A good eye for digital, social and brick and mortar marketing
• Excellent commercial and strategic approaches to problem solving and innovation
• Exceptional planning and organisation skills
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to achieve buy-in at all levels
• Forward thinking with the ability to take industry trends and translate them into something that drives growth for TWDC
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: 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, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - 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.