Director, Product Approvals & Merchandising
Who We Are Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a leading sports, media, entertainment and lifestyle platform. As the owner of some of the most iconic and beloved intellectual property in the world, Authentic acquires and invests in brands to create long-term value for all of its stakeholders. A digital-first, asset-light platform, Authentic sits at the intersection of culture, commerce and technology. It brings brands to life and cultivates fandom through powerful storytelling, premium content and unforgettable live experiences. Together with nearly 2,000 best-in-class licensing partners across 150 countries and an expansive distribution network, Authentic’s brands drive more than $38 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide. Why Authentic You’ll be able to access the resources and scale, while leveraging innovative technology and nimble environment. What we’re saying is, this isn’t your average day job. If you’re hungry to drive ideas into action and own your career, let’s chat. Our team is rapidly innovating to evolve and define the future of our brands. With the help of some of the brightest minds in retail, marketing, licensing, legal and more, we are building the intersection of digital and experiential marketing to help achieve that mission. We reimagine, evolve and transform brands! At Authentic, we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought and expertise drive competitive advantage. Our global teams are built by go-getters who contribute unique perspectives and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Headquartered in New York City, Authentic has offices in major metropolitan cities including Los Angeles and Miami, as well as Toronto, Mexico City, London, and Shanghai.What You’ll Do The Director, Merchandising & Product Development, is responsible for guiding design and development for Authentic’s product licensees for their respective brands. You’ll oversee all phases of product development from concept state to production for respective product categories. You’ll ensure products developed are in line with the brands product strategy, contractual definitions and aesthetic. You will support the commercial end of the business by ensuring that product offered to the marketplace meets the demand for product segmentation and maximizes new distribution opportunities. What you’ll be working on Provide design/merchandising direction and approvals to Licensees for various brands Working Knowledge of competitive set and able to identify/research seasonal trends within industry. Gauge new opportunities to drive volume across all channels of distribution Collaborate between differentiated product categories to achieve a shared vision regarding product ideas, designs, fabrications and quality requirements, specifically related to channels of distribution, and maximizing the brand aesthetic Collaborate with Creative Director on executing seasonal direction in set room, providing concise dir...