Director, Retail Strategy and Development

Job Description

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, extends the Studio's powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, Looney Tunes and Harry Potter.

The division's successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

To be successful at WBCP, you must have a willingness to model our values and behaviors, champion diversity and inclusion, leverage data and insights to maximize the legacy of our deep brands and franchises while maintaining a commitment to fostering best-in-class talent.

The Job

Warner Bros. Consumer Products is seeking a global leader in the themed entertainment retail industry to lead the development, implementation and execution of retail, merchandise, assortment planning and display strategies globally. Strategies will include plans for innovative, long-term growth for the retail/merchandise footprint for all WBTE licensees (theme parks, location-based entertainment, exhibits, live, events, etc) with tangible financial impacts. This includes multiple high-profile licensees around the world and responsibilities across all IP and themed entertainment categories. This motivated, high-capacity executive will be able to balance the business objectives of the company with the creative development of world class projects all while working with some of the worlds best known and most beloved characters from the worlds of DC, Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera and many more.

The Daily
• Creates complete business plans for the attainment of goals and objectives. Uses research, data, trends and proven industry knowledge and successes to lead the creation, communication, evangelization and execution of global WBTE retail/merchandise strategies, including assortment planning and displays. Develops innovative, short and long-term plans to elevate the retail business. Accountability for overseeing and driving tens of millions of dollars in revenues
• Directs and oversees all aspects of current WBTE retail relationships with the ability to lead and motivate. This includes day to day communications, ongoing merchandise planning, design & development of new shops and other retail outlets. Coordinates with licensees to understand their strategies and goals.
• Develops and leads retail/merchandise programs with new licensees. This includes all details, training, processes, timelines, etc. to ensure a successful integration of product development and retail launch for the overall experience.
• Proactively leads cross-division communication to evaluate local market opportunities – focusing on local markets for material opportunities in accordance with WBTE and WBCP strategies
• Promotes constant brand/trend/industry knowledge and positioning to ensure our brands are considered in ongoing plans with each licensee. Provides partners with relevant information about creative, product development, content, and marketing/franchise updates.
• Works with Product Development, Creative Services, Finance, Legal, Franchise Marketing, PR, Brand Assurance, other stakeholder teams and 3rd party vendors as needed
• Works closely with VP on projects as needed
• Responsible for budget process for assigned licensees. Organizes ongoing business results with key sales data and performance metrics and communicates health of the business. Manages financials goals. Leads input in overall short-term and long-range budget targets. Develops all forecasts and business reviews and ensure goals are met.
• Works with other department team members that manage the experiences and Product Development to ensure an integrated effort and alignment across the department. Leads any necessary legal conversations with counsel.
• Participates in cross-divisional efforts between themed entertainment partners and Warner Bros. divisions
• Attends tradeshows and visits licensees as needed to update property activities and provide strategic direction
• Performs other related duties, including special projects, as assigned

The Essentials
• 10+ years of themed entertainment or related experience required
• Bachelor's degree required
• Expertise of theme park, location-based entertainment and themed entertainment retail industry
• Proven executive leadership in successful strategy development is a must
• Takes accountability for responsibilities and executes with little day to day supervision
• Experience in retail industry brand management
• Must have ability to organize and prioritize work
• Must have proven and effective presentation skills and the ability to prepare written and oral presentations for senior level and c-level executives
• Must be proactive and have a high capacity for projects
• Determine needs and solve problems as a self-starter
• Ability to manage and foster relationships both internally and externally
• Must have effective and proven attention to detail skills to manage the many facets of a project
• Knowledge of the WB Library especially DC, Harry Potter, Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera and other Warner Media properties
• Familiarity with developing creative themes
• Must be familiar with Mac computers and related Mac programs
• Knowledgeable in Mac & Microsoft based programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rbp7p6-3-17-184-90-42 in your application.