SVP, Head of Japan

What You’ll Do

As SVP, Head of Japan, you’ll be leading the Authentic Brands Group’s expansion efforts in the region. In this critical role, you’ll work with corporate leadership to execute a strategy focused on increasing Authentic’s brand presence in these territories. We’re seeking a driven leader with extensive knowledge of brand licensing who has a strong network of contacts in the licensing and retail sectors to join our team.

The SVP, Head of Japan will have overall P&L responsibility for the region, including annual business development goals, current licensee royalty streams, execution of marketing initiatives, and managing administrative costs.

What You’ll Be Working On

Develop and lead Authentic’s Japan strategy

• Manage the strategy and execution of a multi-billion-dollar business including planning, revenue forecasting, and business analysis to inform go-forward plans for growth and efficiency
• Work collaboratively with Authentic’s corporate international leadership team to develop and execute the strategy for expansion in the region
• Develop and implement business plans to ramp up business development and awareness of the company’s brand portfolio
• Position Authentic’s brands competitively; monitor competitor product efforts, site changes, and industry trends; work proactively to sustain the strength of brands and products
• Work collaboratively with licensees to develop and execute critical action plans including product initiatives, wholesale and retail distribution efforts, and digital and social media marketing
• Manage the strategy and execution of a multi-billion-dollar business, including planning, forecasting, and analysis of results to define go-forward strategies for growth and efficiency to increase online sales and optimize the customer experience.

Lead Japan business development

• Formulate a development strategy that generates new business pipeline; incorporate regional and categorical nuances into the sales strategy
• Source and recruit a business development team that prospects, qualifies, and closes new licensing and direct-to-retail deals
• Take a hands-on approach to business development; work closely with the business development team to drive sales activity and close deals
• Leverage your network of contacts to schedule discussions and meetings with target licensing and retail prospects

Establish, manage, and optimize a high-performing team

• Serve as leader of the Japan team
• In partnership with Authentic Corporate, source, recruit and select top talent for the team
• Mentor and lead the team; plan and execute talent retention strategies
• Coordinate for the delivery of training, career and talent development that retains talent and strengthens the business
• Observe team performance and provide regular feedback and coaching to help team members maximize their contributions.

Oversee brand and marketing management

• Own partner licensee relationships: Train, develop and ensure licensees are adhering to the standards of their agreements
• Coordinate and align brand marketing between Authentic and licensees guaranteeing the most up-to-date brand information is conveyed to and adopted by the licensee
• Monitor licensee performance and proactively troubleshoot and correct challenges relating to key contractual and operational issues
• Manage daily operations of Japan
• Support accounts receivable and collections activity
• Manage and monitor office business expense to budget; proactively adjust the budget to achieve P&L goals
• Lead and facilitate productive communications between the regional team and Authentic
• corporate office; ensure that local employees are informed and aware of corporate initiatives and directions related to their job responsibilities
• Establish a formal framework for the timely and transparent reporting of business matters to the Authentic corporate team

Must Haves

• Have 15+ or more years’ brand development and licensing experience in fashion, retail or celebrity, and entertainment
• Be a driven self-starter with executive-level leadership qualities
• Have extensive hands-on experience leading all aspects of a business operation including business development and sales, brand management and marketing, and P&L management
• Be a decisive problem solver with the ability to assess situations quickly, consider options, and choose a path forward
• Have experience working independently and exhibit excellent communication skills
• Understand the mechanics of the licensing business model
• Possess an extensive network of contacts in the licensing and retail sectors in the Japan region
• Have a deep understanding of the market and consumers in the Japan region
• Have earned a bachelor’s degree, MBA preferred