Director, Global Softlines

This is a Full Time Job


About the Role & Team:
Responsible for leading the Global Softlines business in The Americas, across all core subcategories and licensees as well as managing brand and retail partnerships. This role is required to implement and execute global long term and fiscal year strategies to maximize the product category reach to all consumer demographics, driving sales and earned revenue.

Relationships are key to the success of this role, both internally and externally. You will be required to actively manage and cultivate the engagement, partnership, and joint business planning with each account, new and existing, to negotiate global contracts and collaborate daily with your regional, and functional counterparts.

Apply creativity, commerciality and expertise in relevant category, product development, utilize knowledge of digital, social and bricks and mortar marketing alongside key trends and consumer insight to develop and drive succinct strategies cross company and departmentally. Be agile to capitalize on the moment and identify new opportunities and target partners.

What You Will Do:
• In line with the global strategy, develop, set and execute strategies for softlines in conjunction with relevant stakeholders including plans for new business for each sub-category and brand.
• Manage the annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting process, developing licensee objectives and initiatives to drive growth, working with global brand commercialization, marketing, creative, product development and finance.
• Actively manage and cultivate the relationship engagement at all levels, partnership and joint business planning as appropriate with each licensee, new and existing
• Evaluate licensee base and drive an optimization plan to ensure effective and focused business management and strategic planning to support growth across categories.
• Conduct or be involved in contract negotiations with licensees and distributors as appropriate to maximize Disney royalty revenue and appropriately inform all key stakeholders with the relevant information.
• Work closely with the global creative teams, product approvers, franchise and marketing teams to support the sale of the product as required by licensee/retailer.
• Communicate the International Labour Standards (ILS) process and be the conduit between the supplier and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) ILS team.
• Identify, pitch and secure new licensees that enhance the category growth in a substantial manner.
• Collaborate and develop strong relationships with Disney market teams providing information and regular strategy and franchise updates as well as understanding and satisfying local market needs and differences. Utilize these relationships to share best practice.
• Establish a good working relationship with global and regional counterparts to ensure regular communication flow on latest initiatives and ongoing liaison regarding joint/global licensees where relevant.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities.
• Research and understand competitive landscape. Analyse and understand market trends, consumer trends, retailer and industry needs.
• Build strong team-oriented relationships with key business units, X-franchise teams and/or global partners which can result in new business and/or cross-promotional opportunities.
• Support SVP and oversee responsibilities of direct reports if applicable.
• In conjunction with legal team, deal with any legal issues affecting the country/region.

Training and Professional Development
• Operate with integrity, champion change and be a good ambassador for CPGP and the wider Walt Disney Company
• Operate as part of an effective team, demonstrating an awareness of others, offering support, sharing knowledge and best practices and contributing to the overall achievement of departmental commitments.
• Take ownership of your professional development through regular career conversations with your line manager and utilizing available resources such as D Learn, instructor led courses and on the job learning.
• Proactively suggest ways to improve departmental performance and processes.
• Build links with other TWDC functions to develop broader knowledge of the business.
• Manage the training and development of all direct reports ensuring commitments are set, regularly reviewed and feedback given using the D Achieve philosophy, where applicable.
• Contribute to maintaining and enhancing the standard of training and development being given and encouraging participation so that everyone has the tools and resources to do their role effectively and efficiently.

Required Qualifications and Skills:
• Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in the fashion industry, focused on buying, product development, merchandising and/or commercial fashion sales; apparel licensing knowledge desired.
• Experience in unlocking and executing global brand collaborations.
• Experience with direct-to-retail (DTR) and consumer products management.
• Solid background developing and driving a global/multi-region apparel playbook strategy.
• Strong understanding of the global fashion industry, established and emerging trends and brands.
• Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments to achieve financial targets and joint goals.
• Strong understanding of brand positioning, retail business development function, retail distribution and the retail environment for Apparel, Accessories, and Footwear business
• Strong communication/presentation, influencing skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills/team player
• Comprehensive knowledge of licensees' product categories, production and creative capabilities/limitations
• Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, flexible, strong team building skills.
• Financial acumen
• Ability to analyze data, construct practical conclusions and implement recommendations to achieve business targets.
• An ability to be agile in order to capitalize on the moment and identify new opportunities and target partners.
• Computer literate including MS Word, Excel and Keynote
• Fluent English, essential; other European languages, beneficial
• A good eye for digital, social and brick and mortar marketing
• Excellent commercial and strategic approaches to problem solving and innovation.
• Exceptional planning and organization skills.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to achieve buy-in at all levels.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Strong financial analysis skills and adept at goal setting and performance management.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience

Additional Information:

• Flexibility for occasional UK, European or international travel may be required
• Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires
• Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, California is $180,100 to $241,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
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