Senior Manager, Brand - Licensed Sports & Fan Collectibles

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary brand steward with major sports properties, governing bodies, and entertainment partners, managing brand strategy, product lines, and key partner relationships
• Translate athlete partnerships, major sporting event milestones, seasonality and fan-driven trends into compelling action figures, toys, and collectibles that collectors crave
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product design, packaging, marketing, and licensing to build diverse, brand-accurate product lines that satisfy global retail channel strategies
• Manage, mentor, and guide a team while serving as the lead point of contact for assigned brands to ensure brand integrity and schedules stay firmly on track
• Analyze sales data, competitive landscapes, and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities, co-develop retail exclusive plans, and inform strategic product line architecture
• Drive licensor relationships by coordinating design approvals, maintaining strict adherence to style guides, and communicating feedback to vendors and cross-functional teams
• Oversee project budgets, verify vendor quotes, negotiate competitive pricing, and work alongside Sales and Manufacturing to manage inventory and profitability
• Plan and execute compelling product presentations for key accounts, actively soliciting global field and sales input to refine existing and upcoming product lines
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in brand management, product development, or licensing—specifically working with major sports properties, sports merchandise, trading cards, or licensed fan products
• Proven track record navigating complex sports or entertainment licensor approval workflows and managing strategic brand partnerships
• 3+ years of demonstrated team leadership or supervisory experience with a proven track record of driving results
• Solid knowledge of the end-to-end product development lifecycle, manufacturing processes, and licensor approval workflows
• Advanced analytical skills with proven experience analyzing sales data, managing retail exclusives, and evaluating competitive landscapes
• Deep understanding of sports, pop culture trends, and fan-driven consumer products
• High proficiency in project management software, MS Office, Google Workspace, and digital rights management (DRM) systems
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills with a proactive ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is a plus
• Prior experience specifically managing plush, plastic products, or action figures is a huge plus

Benefits

• basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children
• employee basic life and AD&D insurance
• a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals
• short and long-term disability
• tuition reimbursement
• flexible work schedule that includes Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave
• volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects