Brand Management - Product Development Manager

$50,000 - $60,000/Yr

Caa - New York, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - New York, NY

1,001-5,000 employees

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries

About the position

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is seeking a dedicated professional to join our Brand Management division, which has been instrumental in helping brands navigate new consumer product categories and experiences for over 30 years. This role is pivotal in managing the product development process from inception to mass production for selected brands across various categories, including toys, food and beverage, apparel, and health & beauty. The successful candidate will ensure that product development processes are strictly followed by licensees, aligning marketing efforts with the relevant brand guidelines. In this position, you will manage the critical path of product development, leading projects independently while collaborating closely with client leads and commercial teams. Your role will involve driving brand programs forward, ensuring that licensees successfully develop and launch products and marketing campaigns that resonate in retail environments. You will be responsible for providing updates on product development projects during key client calls, utilizing your commercial awareness to contribute positively to the overall brand strategy and budget. Building and nurturing strong relationships with licensors, clients, and licensees is essential to this role. You will need to understand the nuances of product approvals and employ effective influence and diplomatic skills to achieve desired outcomes. While knowledge of product approval platforms is desirable, it is not mandatory. You will also be expected to provide training and guidance to licensees on these systems. As a highly organized multitasker, you will ensure that all submissions are processed within 48 hours, whether through approval systems or emails. Excellent communication skills are crucial, as you will need to adapt to each licensor's culture and tone. You will lead creative kick-offs, manage brand style guides, and inspire licensees to utilize creative assets effectively. Additionally, you will take ownership of product development trackers, status reports, and key process documents, collaborating on brand quarterly business reviews and presentations. This role may also involve managing physical samples, including their storage and distribution to relevant partners, offices, and clients. The ideal candidate will have experience in product development and licensing approvals, particularly within consumer products, and possess a strong understanding of product development timelines across multiple categories. A proactive, self-motivated work ethic, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with design software like Illustrator and Photoshop, will be beneficial. At CAA, we value a growth-minded, collaborative approach and encourage our team members to enjoy their work while achieving excellence in their roles.

Responsibilities

• Manage the product development end-to-end process for selected brands across multiple categories (e.g. toys, F&B, apparel, health & beauty).
• Ensure product development processes are adhered to by licensees across each brand program and product ranges, aligning marketing with relevant brand guidelines.
• Manage the product development critical path from initial concept through to mass production, leading projects independently.
• Collaborate with client leads and commercial teams to drive and grow brand programs, ensuring successful product and marketing campaign launches.
• Provide updates on product development projects during key client calls.
• Utilize commercial awareness to ensure the product development team contributes positively to overall brand strategy and budget.
• Build and manage strong relationships with licensors, clients, and licensees to drive projects forward and secure approvals.
• Understand product approval pressure points and use influence and diplomatic skills to achieve results.
• Provide training and guidance to licensees on product approval systems.
• Ensure all submissions are processed within 48 hours via approval systems or emails.
• Lead creative kick-offs and new licensee onboarding meetings.
• Manage brand style guide and asset distribution to licensees, advising on effective use of creative assets.
• Own product development trackers, status reports, and key process documents, collaborating on brand QBRs and presentations.
• Manage physical samples, including storage and distribution to relevant partners.

Requirements

• Experience working in product development and licensing approvals, ideally within consumer products.
• Knowledge of product development timelines and understanding of multiple consumer product categories.
• Ability to take initiative, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Positive can-do approach, proactive and self-motivated work ethic.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs; Illustrator and Photoshop skills are a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of product approval platforms and online systems (e.g. Brand Comply).
• Experience in managing brand style guides and asset distribution.

Benefits

• Annual base salary in the range of $50,000 - $60,000.
• Eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus.