Lead/Senior Executive, Toy/Plush/Hardlines

ABOUT CLOUDCO ENTERTAINMENT: Cloudco Entertainment, formerly American Greetings Entertainment, is the owner of iconic entertainment brands such as Care Bears™, Holly Hobbie™, Madballs™, Packages from Planet X™, Twisted Whiskers™, Buddy Thunderstruck™ and its newest IP, Tinpo™. Cloudco Entertainment develops multi-platform entertainment franchises across all media channels and extensive consumer merchandising programs that immerse children and adults in brands they love. GENERAL SUMMARY: The Lead/Senior Executive, Toy/Plush/Hardlines will be responsible for building and managing the US and Canadian (domestic) Care Bears consumer products business for hardlines categories inclusive of toys, collectibles, seasonal, etc.…as well as other targeted properties in the Cloudco portfolio of existing and new brands. Candidate will prospect and acquire new licenses, manage existing licensees, pursue and drive retail initiatives and partner collaborations. This position reports to our Vice President, Licensing North America collaborating alongside the Head of Global Licensing and the rest of our Cloudco Entertainment team. LOCATION: This position is structured as a workplace hybrid arrangement in our Sherman Oaks/Los Angeles office, allowing employees to work both in the office and remotely to promote work-life balance aligned with Cloudco Entertainment’s policies and procedures. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide strategic direction and insights for international markets, focusing on key categories like plush. Share U.S. and Canadian best practices and case studies with international markets to drive sales, brand alignment and maximize impact. The Lead/Senior Executive, Toy/Plush/Hardlines, will work closely with the VP, Licensing and Head of Global Licensing to determine and manage short-term strategic objectives and contribute to the long-term strategies of the licensing department. Pitch Cloudco Brands to toy & hard goods manufacturers to secure deals tied to revenue goals for the Cloudco domestic business Define category and brand strategy by reviewing market share and data analytics to develop strategies and business plans by consumer demo, brand and property for toy, collectibles, stationery, seasonal, and pets. Accountable for management of all licensees within the product categories, which includes contract negotiation, business and product planning, and marketing alignment, and manage day to day relationship with licensees Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics Identify growth opportunities by category, franchise and distribution and select, pitch and implement new deals to fill gaps Negotiate financial deal points and other material terms on new deals and renewals with the support from VP Fiscal responsibility for assigned categories and business segments (setting annual targets, obtaining and reviewing quarterly forecasts) In conjunction with the marketing/brand team, provide any licensee /product information in support of marketing and brand presentations and sales meetings and help define and integrate licensees within wider brand and marketing plans Occasional Travel required – 20% MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Required Education: BA/BS as required, with an MBA preferred. Required Length & Type of Experience: Within the required 10 years of experience, please include significant experience in the toy industry (particularly plush) and a background in leading global category teams. Has existing relationships and contacts with key players across hard line categories, retail relationships are a plus. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Emphasize the need for a data-driven decision maker with experience developing and managing RFPs Out of the box thinker with an ability to translate strategy into actionable tactics; able to maintain a strategic perspective while supporting the team in driving results Entrepreneurial and motivated self starter that has the know-how to make good business decisions while managing all aspects of their day to day business. Strong relationship builder who facilitates a win-win culture internally and with external partners Innovative; continuously looking for new approaches and new ways of doing things Clear, articulate communication style; someone that can understand complexity of the business and is able to synthesize information quickly and make it actionable within their purview Collaborative style and can build consensus throughout the company Time bound with deliverables Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal skills Passionate about the business – performance driven PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. Physical demands typical for office environment. Computer work, sitting, light lifting, talking on phone, etc. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT: Cloudco Entertainment is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.