Universal Products & Experience globally drives expansion of the company's intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. Games, fashion, and toys only scratch the surface of ways we take Universal stories and characters from the screen and put them into fans' daily lives around the globe. Along with franchise brand management, Universal Brand Development's core businesses include Consumer Products and Games and Digital Platforms. We take properties such as Jurassic World, Minions, Back to the Future, and Trolls from our creative content engines like Universal Pictures, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation partner with best-in-class category leaders (e.g. Mattel, Lego, Reebok, Target, Microsoft, etc.) to create amazing products for our fans. Universal Products & Experience is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalbranddevelopment.com/ 

Universal Products & Experience is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague. 

At Universal Products & Experience EMEA, we are proud of our unique culture. We are inclusive, curious and creative; channeling a growth mindset in order to drive the commercial and develop our people. In order to achieve this culture, we live by our 3 values:

• Being Human Matters to Us

• Together We Can Achieve Anything

• We Always Keep Growing

The Senior Category Manager, Fashion and Living UK & Ireland (UKI) is responsible for developing and executing a long-term business strategy across apparel, accessories, home, gifting and health that leverages the richness of NBCUniversal’s entertainment content (past & present) to build a sustainable business that achieves annual revenue targets. The role will report into the Regional Director UKI.

This candidate will be responsible for identifying the best licensees to partner with, negotiating agreements, driving innovative quality product ranges, accurate quarterly forecasting, and active retail sell-in of cohesive product ranges.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic

• Development and execution of short and long-term growth strategies for the Fashion and Living category (including fashion, accessories, home, gifting and health), in conjunction with the vision of Senior Director Fashion & Lifestyle EMEA.

• Identify licensing opportunities and fill market gaps across the category considering age, segment, market, channel and franchises.

• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics for category and key licensees.

• Work on the creation of targeted presentations to pitch, support or launch licensing programs or specific category areas.

• Identify, target and manage halo projects that inspire trickle down approach.

• Liaison with EMEA Fashion and Living head ensuring alignment to wider EMEA and Global strategies.

  Licensee management

• Accountable for day-to-day management of licensees and UKI based DTR partnerships.

• Lead contract negotiations for key licensees, analyse and set business plans and brand manage to ensure contract deliverables and financial goals are met throughout the term.

• Attendance and presentation participation in licensee / partner presentations.

  Retail development

• Develop, maintain and drive relationships with key buyers and decision makers across UKI Fashion and Living retail accounts, in partnership with the UKI Retail team.

• Maintain knowledge of key seasonalities and buying cycles of all retailers.

• Develop, present and implement sales driving retail marketing initiatives within category area for both existing and prospective key retailers.

  Internal liaison

• Work across the UKI category and retail teams to maximise efficiencies, share best practice and execute X-Category where possible.

• Partner with the Product Development team to drive quality and champion innovation in product development ensuring lines are commercially viable for the UK and meeting retailer needs.

• Regular liaison with Finance and Legal teams around forecasting, budget and contracts.

  Finance and business planning

• Responsible for annual budget planning and quarterly revenue forecasting for the category.

• Analyse business performance across category by licensee and retailer and develop growth objectives and strategies.

• Quarterly budget and forecast presentations to Regional Director.

• Strong understanding of brand and property positioning

• Demonstrable experience in a commercial environment

• Extensive knowledge of the UKI retail landscape

• Licensing experience is preferable but not essential

• Robust business acumen 

• Strategic and creative mindset

• Adaptability to changing business environment

• Strong merchant skills with an eye for consumer trends

• Relationship & Brand builder

• Excellent communication & presentation skills

• Strong sales and negotiation skills

• Proven track-record of hitting financial targets and delivering growth

• Deep industry knowledge

• Ideally previous experience within licensing or buying in the Fashion and Living categories

NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.

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