Director of Retail Development and LBE

About Our Company

VIZ Media has been bringing the finest in manga, anime, and global entertainment to English-speaking fans across the world for nearly 40 years. From classic series like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Naruto to current hits like My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man, we continue to offer the best in action, romance, fantasy, and adventure stories for fans of all ages.

Our critically acclaimed manga, graphic novels, and books have won Eisner, YALSA, and Hugo awards and are available in both print and digital editions, and our premier catalog of anime titles can be seen on TV and via streaming and digital download, as well as in collectible Blu-ray and DVD sets at major retailers.

Learn more about VIZ Media, anime, and manga at www.viz.com.

Job Summary

VIZ Media, the world leader in English-language versions of manga and anime (Japanese comics and animation), is looking for a Director of Retail Development and Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) to join our CPG Licensing & Promotions team. The Director of Retail Development and LBE will manage and expand VIZ’s retail presence, representing the best in anime, manga, and iconic brands. In collaboration with retail and LBE partners (specialty fashion, pop culture/entertainment retail, Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.), this role will pitch and execute immersive and engaging retail programs that align with VIZ’s CPG portfolio, including NARUTO, Rilakkuma, Doraemon, BLEACH, and more. Additionally, this position will oversee location-based entertainment with a focus on tentpole licenses, including fan-focused attractions, events, and experiences.

What you’ll do:

1. Execute retail rollout strategies to expand global consumer product goals and revenue growth
2. Foster relationships with key retail partners, emerging accounts, and LBE disruptors to bring Asian pop culture to global communities
3. Pitch and secure multi-brand retail statements that spotlight VIZ’s iconic IPs and streamline the licensed product process
4. Drive retail marketing campaigns for broader visibility, recognition, and engagement
5. Serve as key liaison between external partners and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and seamless execution
6. Compile retail selling reports from retailers to track and review performance
7. Represent the VIZ CPG department at major conventions, summits, and partner forums to cultivate new relationships and partnerships and gather new ideas and intel
8. Strategize transformative LBE initiatives that create tentpole moments across our key franchises and build immersive worlds that deepen fan engagement
9. Create sales presentations/pitch decks, manage portfolio updates, build programs, and execute on go-to-market plans

In addition to these responsibilities, performs other activities as assigned.

The ideal candidate has:

• 10-15 years of relevant licensing and marketing experience in a retail sales function
• Substantial connections/networks across fashion, pop culture, entertainment, mass retail, and e-commerce, with an understanding of the global consumer product/retail landscape
• Track record of pitching, leading, and executing successful retail program campaigns
• Experience tracking royalties and budgets and forecasting opportunities and prospects
• High attention to detail and with comfort managing multiple projects and priorities at once
• Passion for building and maintaining client and other professional relationships
• Proficiency with Google Suite (Slides & Sheets), Microsoft Office (PowerPoint), Canva, and Keynote. Knowledge of Asana, My Media Box, and other Project management software is a plus!
• Knowledge of anime/manga is a PLUS
• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or other relevant field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience, with a record that demonstrates suitable preparation for this position

Work Environment & Schedule

Location: The Director of Retail Development and LBE position is open to candidates within the State of California. If local to the San Francisco Bay Area, the candidate should expect to work onsite at least once per week. Business travel is expected for this role, and candidates must be able to travel as needed.

Schedule: This is a Regular Full-Time position (40 hours per week) with core hours of 10 am to 4 pm with some flexibility as needed.

Compensation: $130,000-150,000 annually, depending on experience, with additional variable compensation

VIZ Media offers the following benefits to its eligible employees:

• Partially subsidized Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) savings plan – including employer matching
• Flexible Spending – health and dependent care
• Commuter stipend for in-office work
• Life Insurance/AD&D/STD/LTD
• Legal & ID Theft insurance
• Group Pet insurance rates
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time - plus your birthday is a holiday!
• Philanthropy program, including paid time off for volunteer work
• Wellness program, including fitness membership discounts and reimbursement
• Full time casual dress
• Flexible work hours

As part of a multi-media entertainment company, employees may be subjected to work-related content such as: sexually explicit images, nudity, and graphic violence. Applicants should be willing to work with this type of content.

VIZ Media is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any legally protected status.

Please beware of recent scams to online job seekers. Any email from the VIZ Media recruiting team will come from an @viz.com email address (for example, [email protected]) or from our recruiting system Greenhouse (for example, [email protected]). If the email is not from one of these addresses, it is not from VIZ Media.

VIZ Media respects applicants' privacy rights. To review VIZ Media's Privacy Policy, please visit VIZ Media Applicant Privacy Policy - CA.

Originally posted on Himalayas