Brand Management - Product Approvals Manager

Job Description

Who We Are

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, trademark licensing, and philanthropy. Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA's diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organisations that shape culture and inspire the world. The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, and form a brand marketing services division, among other innovations.

Named Most Valuable Sports Agency by Forbes for eight consecutive years, CAA represents more than 2,000 of the world's top athletes in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities and works in the areas of broadcast rights, corporate marketing initiatives, social impact, and sports properties for sales and sponsorship opportunities. Founded in 1975, CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has offices in New York, Nashville, Memphis, Chicago, Miami, London, Munich, Geneva, Stockholm, Shanghai, and Beijing, among other locations globally.

The Department

For more than 30 years, CAA Brand Management has helped brands of all shapes and sizes show up in new consumer product categories, experiences and territories, through licensing, strategic partnerships and joint ventures. CAA Brand Management is a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Together we represent many of the most successful global brands and professionals working in television, film, music, theatre, video games, sports, and digital content. We also provide a range of strategic and marketing consulting services to corporate clients.

Responsibilities:
• To play an essential role in the Brand Management division, managing the product development and approvals end-to-end process for selected brands across multiple categories (e.g. toys, F&B, apparel, health & beauty).
• Ensure the product approval process is adhered to by licensees across each brand programme and product ranges and marketing align with relevant brand guidelines.
• Manage the product development critical path from initial concept through to mass production. Lead product development projects independently.
• Working closely and collaborate with client leads and commercial teams to drive and grow brand programs, ensuring licensee develop and launch successful products and marketing campaigns to retail. Provide update on PD projects on key client calls.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the bigger picture to ensure the role of the product development team makes a positive contribution to delivering overall brand strategy and budget.
• Build, nurture, and manage strong relationships with licensors/ client & licensees across specific brands to drive projects forward and get approvals across the line.
• To understand the 'pressure point' of product approvals and use effective influence and diplomatic skills to achieve results for the Licensors/Client & Licensees.
• Knowledge of product approval platforms and online systems desirable but not essential. (e.g. Brand Comply). Provide training and guidance to licensees on approval systems.
• Highly organised, multitasker ensuring all submissions are turned around within 48 hours, either via the approval systems or emails.
• Excellent communicator at all levels and highly adaptive to each Licensor's culture and tone.
• Lead creative kick offs/ new licensee onboarding meetings and other creative calls where applicable.
• Manage brand style guide and asset distribution to licensees. Inspire and advise licensee to use creative assets effectively, delivering innovative brand-appropriate products to market.
• Own and take responsibility for product approval trackers, status reports, and key process documents. Work collaboratively on specific brand QBRs, brand decks and presentations.
• Where relevant manage physical samples, including storing and sending out to the relevant partners, offices, and clients.

Qualifications:
• Experience working in product development and licensing approvals - ideally within consumer products.
• Knowledge of product development timelines and a good breath of understanding of multiple consumer product categories.
• Ability to take initiative, handle multiple projects simultaneously and prioritise in a fast-paced environment while also maintaining attention to detail.
• Positive can-do approach, proactive and self-motivated work ethic.
• Strong communication skills – written and verbal.
• Fluent in Microsoft Office; Illustrator and Photoshop skills are a plus.
• Must be growth minded, collaborative, accountable and have fun.

Location

This role will be based out of the our New York, NY or Miami, FL office(s).

Compensation

The annual base salary for this position is in the range of $50,000 - $68,000 in Miami and $67,00 - 70,000 in New York. This position also is eligible for benefits and discretionary bonus. Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria. Please speak with a CAA Recruiter to learn more.

Creative Artists Agency, LLC (the ''Company'') is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, gender or sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family and medical care leave status, military or veteran status, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, an employee's or their dependent's reproductive health decision making (e.g., the decision to use or access a particular drug, device or medical service), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The Company also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws with regard to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gwk5bk-18-117-7-31-42 in your application.