Brand Manager

About us JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of toys and consumer products sold throughout the world, with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. JAKKS Pacific sells a range of proprietary brands as well as a wide range of entertainment-inspired products featuring premier licensed properties including Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and The Simpsons, with many more in the pipeline. Through our products and our charitable donations, JAKKS is helping to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Main purpose of the roleThis is an exciting opportunity to work with some of the best global licensed franchises. You will work within a busy marketing department liaising with our US and international colleagues, with responsibility for developing and managing creative and commercial marketing initiatives across EMEA. This role will work closely and cross functionally with our Sales, Licensing, Operations and Finance teams to drive brand awareness and revenue. Relationships are key to the success of this role, which requires collaborative working internally, and externally with our retail customers and licensing partners. Key duties and responsibilities Responsible for the management of key brands across the Jakks portfolio across EMEA: build brand awareness, enhance brand perception and achieve business objectives.Collaborate with global US brand teams and local EMEA markets on product, marketing, and sales development.Analyse sales results, market insights as well as consumer and competitor data to provide regional insight to identify brand development opportunities and brand strategy.Develop, localise and implement consumer marketing campaigns including agency and supplier briefings for media, digital and PR activity.Review and contribute to price setting, each season, for brands in remit. Lead presentations of product ranges and marketing plans including customer previews and licensor presentations.Responsible for brand presentations for EMEA sales meetings and other key events including Seasonal Brand Showcases and Toy Fairs.In conjunction Marketing Manager, plan and deliver first class showcases of brands in UK and EU Showrooms, Toy fair stands and PR events including space planning and sample provision.Create and develop brand line lists, key calendars, sales & marketing documents and preview decks.Drive the plan and implementation of trade marketing activity across various channels including POS development, visual merchandising & retail activations.Review promotional and marketing campaigns to understand ROI providing recommendations for future investments.Develop and activate PR & Influencer campaigns across key markets within budget. Assess awareness and effectiveness of spend.Accountable for, and administration of, allocated Brand / Marketing budgets.Build and maintain relationships and regular communication with Licensors, EMEA Country managers, Sales teams & key retail Buyers.Ensure provision of image, product and listings requests for both retail customers and licensors.Assist in the collation of data for sales and marketing reviews and forecast data for licensor submissions.Provide support for any ad-hoc requests relating to sales, marketing and licensing needs.Work closely with EMEA cross functional teams including Operations, Demand Planning and Finance to ensure consistency and alignment.Requirement for international travel to attend Toy Fairs, key licensor meetings and local store visits.Key performance indicatorsBe brand expert for brands under your responsibility, from IP and content lore, to product range and pricing, through to EPOS performance.Execute marketing initiatives that will drive brand awareness and sales, in line with licensors and JAKKS objectives.Ensure marketing activations support the ethos of the brands you will be working on.Ensure a positive brand reputation is maintained amongst target audience, stakeholders and customers.Education and experienceConfident working with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Bachelor’s degree or minimum equivalent work experience. Degree in Business or Marketing preferable. Minimum 3-5 years’ work experience in a marketing role within consumer goods industry (toys preferred). Experience working within the toy, licensing or entertainment industry.Demonstrable knowledge of category management, merchandising, and pricing strategies.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Strong collaborative skill set and networking capabilities as well as a proven track record for internal and external relationship cultivation.Behavioural capabilities Interest in gaming and pop culture would be beneficial to licensed focused role.Ability to work independently and take ownership of a variety of projects with deadlines.Professional and confident face to face presenter.Creative and results driven.Ability to interpret data effectively – analytical and curious.Flexibility in working hours - there are some early morning or late evening meetings & presentations.Strong work ethic, integrity and ambition to develop.Action oriented, prompt decision-making ability and confidently able to work on own initiative.