Director, Entertainment - Japan

Who We Are

Authentic is a unified platform that integrates M&A, brand strategy, creativity and digital innovation to unlock the power of its global Lifestyle and Entertainment portfolio. As the world’s largest sports and entertainment licensing company, Authentic connects strong brands with best-in-class partners to optimize long-term value in the marketplace. Its brands generate more than $32 billion in global annual retail sales and have an expansive retail footprint in more than 150 countries, including 13,000-plus freestanding stores and shop-in-shops and 400,000 points of sale. Authentic transforms brands by delivering powerful storytelling, compelling content, innovative business models and immersive experiences. It creates original marketing strategies to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms and emerging media

 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

We’re looking for a Director, Business Development & Brand Management, Entertainment – Japan, to join our APAC Entertainment team. Reporting to the VP of Entertainment and the Head of Japan, you’ll develop and execute strategies to expand the business footprint of the Authentic Entertainment portfolio and ultimately deliver top-line revenue for the organization. You’ll be responsible for pitching, selling, negotiating, and driving new licensing and NIL deals to closure. If you’re a strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to win, we’d like to meet you.

 

What you’ll be working on

Generate Qualified Leads:

• Research the market to identify and establish contact with prospective new business partners in Japan that map to Entertainment brand portfolio and meet Authentic's partner qualifications.
• Secure new deals across entertainment properties, with a focus on brand licensing, endorsement, sponsorship and content business to maximize revenue for the organization.

 Build and Manage Sales Pipeline: 

• Continually drive prospects into leads through high-volume outbound sales activity.
• Utilize detailed discovery to learn about the prospect’s interests and capabilities. 
• Partner with Business Development leadership and Brand Marketing to develop pitch decks that clearly align the brand value proposition with the prospect’s interests and capabilities.  

Drive the Licensing Deal to Close:

• Work in partnership with Brand Management and Business Development Leadership teams to develop business plans and formulate deal proposals.  
• Lead and manage efficient and productive negotiations of deal terms, taking full ownership of the deal process. 
• Assemble detailed term sheets with concise business terms. Work closely with legal counsel to draft partnership agreements. 

 Sales Management:

• Track sales activity in CRM consistently and accurately. 
• Manage productive and goal-oriented deal processes. 
• Prepare accurate sales forecasts per ABG’s sales reporting process. 
• Prepare reports and presentations of sales performance as needed. 
• Responsible for quota attainment in assigned business pillar

Drive Brand Performance

• Engage, inspire and galvanize the organization around the brand vision, position and strategies so licensees are clear in bringing them to life in their areas of functional expertise
• Own, in collaboration with key internal partners, the vision, position, and architecture of your brands. Leverage all brand components to drive awareness, growth and financial performance
• Manage and coordinate brand activity across the various functions including brand manager, marketing, and other functions as needed
• Maintain brand integrity across product lines, advertising, and all other internal and external communication as it pertains to assigned brand/pillar
• Attend & assist with Brand Summits to communicate brand message to external partners

Manage licensee partner relations & Facilitate Effective Licensing Operations

• Consolidate and organize key business development tools and materials for licensees
• Partner closely with each licensing partner to understand respective business models and product development cycles to drive retail profitability
• Participate in brand strategy discussions and in setting a bulls-eye consumer target. Analyze consumer trends and information and help identify product categories to enter as future sources of growth
• Assist in overseeing the direction, implementation, execution and continuous improvement of the licensing processes

 

Must Haves:

• Has 8+ years’ experience in new business development in Entertainment, Media, Sports, Celebrity in Japan
• Has experience in full-cycle sales from lead generation through close as project manager role
• Is an accomplished communicator; you’re great on the phone, via email, and in-person
• Possess an eager demeanor with a fearless and professional drive to win; substantial cold calling and other forms of outreach are required
• Has a curious, research-oriented mindset
• Is a confident and successful negotiator, creatively developing new business ideas
• Has exceptional organization, attention management, and time management skills
• Has a bachelor’s degree; a legal background is helpful
• Must be willing and able to travel occasionally as the role requires

Fraud Alert: Unauthorized Job Offers and Impersonations

We have been made aware of fraudulent job offers and interview requests being sent by individuals falsely claiming to represent Authentic. These scams are often initiated via email, employment websites and social media, and may include fake interview requests, offer letters or attempts to collect personal and financial information.

Please note:

• All legitimate Authentic job postings can be found only on our official website (authentic.com) or through our verified LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareauthentic).
• Authentic does not conduct interviews over Teams or Zoom without prior email correspondence from a verified @authentic.com email address.
• We will never ask you for sensitive personal information, payment or banking details as part of the hiring process.

If you believe you've been contacted by someone impersonating an Authentic team member, please report it immediately by emailing peopleandculture@authentic.com.

 

Authentic is an equal-opportunity employer and we value and embrace the diversity and inclusion of all Team Members. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, disability, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.

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