Brand Manager, Miniverse

MGA Entertainment is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held toy and entertainment companies in the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, and with offices globally, the company creates innovative, proprietary, and licensed consumer products and entertainment properties, including toys, games, dolls, apparel, consumer electronics, home décor, stationery, sporting goods, movies, and television series. The MGA family includes award-winning brands such as L.O.L. Surprise, Little Tikes, Rainbow High, Shadow High, Bratz, MGA’s Miniverse, Fluffie Stuffiez, Na Na Na Surprise, Micro Games of America, Baby born Surprise and Zapf Creation. For more information, please visit us at www.mgae.com or check us out at LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.Opportunity: The Brand Manager, Mniverse role is to drive brand performance, grow brand equity and market share by activating consumer insights, industry trends and innovative entrepreneurship to think differently. The right candidate will drive the Girls portfolio to build brands that surprise and delight consumers, create engaging brand experiences and support the Sr. Manager/Director in setting the brand’s consumer communications and marketing strategies. This individual will own development and execution of projects that focus on existing brands and drive change across new platforms. The role leads internal support centers of excellence (i.e., Product Development, Packaging, Sales, International) for brand management and agency partners (i.e., Entertainment, Marketing Services, Retail Marketing, Licensing) to deliver against our revenue goals and marketing activation to drive consumer demand.Position RequirementsEducation/Experience:Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Marketing or related; MBA preferred5 – 7 years of brand management, retail buying or marketing agency experience2 years team leadership and management, at least 1 direct reportRetail industry knowledge and retail math required. Mass experience strongly encouragedKids and/or Family marketing, Toy experience or quick turn fashion strongly preferredDiversified experience across big and small companies, start-up entrepreneurial strongly preferredDigitally native, social media savvy, especially as it pertains to influencers, advertising, campaignsSkills/Knowledge/Ability:Motivated by challenges and possesses a robust sense of curiosity. Can-do attitude. Ability to work independently (self-motivated) and complete projects within required timeframesMust manage multiple priorities with entrepreneurial, fast-paced actionAble to manage up, make tough, informed decisions quickly to keep projects on track using good judgement and accountabilityStrong analytical skills a must. Experience with diagnosing and resolving complex problems. Ability to pull insights from multiple sources and synthesize into a compelling storyBuilds strong relationships and support cross-functional teams to align to the same goal. Focuses on productivity and efficiency. Avoids gossip and doesn’t engage in office politics. Values being part of the solution and encourages it in othersStrong presentation skills, confidence and maturity. Proven ability to effectively represent brand internally and externallyBuild strong teams and prioritize people investment to promote from withinAbility to direct a business from all aspects: marketing, brand building, financial, and salesMust manage reasonable commuting distance to MGA Chatsworth HQ to support onsite business needs.Authority:This role reports to a Sr Brand Manager or DirectorThis role may be supported by direct report(s), ABM, Coordinator or InternKey Result Areas and Activities:Brand ManagementBalance a portfolio of multiple brands, high volume, brand pipeline with new launches, growth, sustain / innovate and sunset lifecycle at different stages across the portfolioOwn the seasonal brand planning process; i.e., slot planning, white space opportunity analysis, product wave planning, price point analysis, NPD competitive data analysisOwn brand positioning, age target, key attributes and ensure product, packaging, marketing communication, and retail deliver on insights-based alignment and flawless execution and 360 integrationEnsure accurate materials to support sell-in to retail buyers, sales partners, including trade shows and showroom seasonal tentpolesCraft presentations with compelling storytelling; present to internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the brand as the authorityOwn with direct report(s) International Marketing inquiries, and on-brand execution. Ensure ABM follow-through and clear escalation to Management when criticalConsumer & Retail Marketing ActivationDrive 360-marketing strategic and tactical triggers to drive consumer demand: TV advertising (creative development or advertising, media flighting, GRP/TRP, sponsorships), digital advertising and entertainment, YouTube, Instagram and other social channels with leadership oversight. Support upfront planning and budgeting process. Lead tactical executionsBrief the teams and support marketing communication strategy set with leadership and creative partners and help ensure on-brand, on-strategy, and support on-time, on-budget deliveryOwn the digital strategy, overseeing copy approval, tentpole activation calendar and ensured key trends aren’t missedOversee execution of e-commerce, catalogs, retailer ads, and concept mock-ups, including A pages photos, videos, copyCollaborate with Sales and Retail Marketing for key account activations and how they align to 360-consumer brand plans. Ensure on-brand and on-time executionLead PR strategy and oversee event activationsCome with creative ideas to drive newness and innovative ways to efficiently marketCategory ManagementLead category analysis and be an expert in Girls toy categories; including but not limited to: Collectibles, Plush, Fashion Dolls, Nurturing Dolls, Large Dolls, Activities & DIY, Trend, Novelty, Fashion, Pre-schoolEnsure direct reports’ full understanding of category dominance in retail, e-commerce and creative advertising activations of key competitive set. Manage up insights to leadershipAnalyze POS point of sales data to determine trends and key performance indicators. Synthesize data to executive summary and elevator pitch to management. Identify issues and propose potential solutionsMaintain awareness of brand financials including inventory, forecasts etc. and understand implications to marketing investment, ROI and key activationsBuild compelling cases and competitive analysis based on NPD industry data to make recommendations and dominate competitionBuild financial quotas by item as part of new season development, along with insightful data points to justify financial growth targets for Sales, Supply & Demand PlanningDemonstrate decision-making abilities around investment alternatives that mitigate risk and maximize return. Identify issues and propose potential solutionsCross-Functional Team LeadershipBe the go-to problem solver on all things brand related for cross-functional partners: Sales, Retail Marketing, Supply & Demand, Marketing Services, Entertainment, etc.Lead cross-functional teams on assigned business or project development initiativesOwn the brand look and feel; educate teams (Entertainment, Creative, Digital, Social etc.) on brand information and background that allow them to help create and execute programs that will drive consumer demandBe a leader and a team player, solution-oriented with forward momentum and a sense of urgency to pull cross-functional players together to deliver on time and on budgetOther duties as assigned per business needs J-18808-Ljbffr