Disney Experiences
Director, North America Softlines - New Business
Disney Experiences, Glendale, California, us, 91222
Overview
Director, Americas Softlines role at Disney Experiences. Reporting to the VP, Americas Softlines, the Director, North America Softlines will be responsible for building a pipeline of newness to grow softlines over the long-term plan, signing new business and managing brand partnerships/collaborations, and leading the Global Softlines business in the Americas across all core subcategories and licensees. The role will lead data-led, transformative strategies, identifying the right category, brand and retail partners to optimize revenue and position the business to deliver sustained growth trajectory. Key priorities include identifying new business opportunities, delivering a data-led and insight-driven approach to business development. Strong collaboration is required with creative, product development and global teams to optimize the regional go-to-market strategy. You will actively manage and cultivate engagement, partnership, and joint business planning with each account to negotiate contracts and collaborate daily with regional and functional counterparts. The role emphasizes strong, engaging leadership, mobilizing talent, and executing strategies with pace and excellence. Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Management: Develop, set and execute strategies for softlines in line with global strategy; plan new business for each sub-category and brand. Unlock category growth through data-driven insights and identify white space. Build a pipeline of new initiatives to secure long-term growth. Optimize partnership management: lead selection, contract negotiations, and relationships with top licensees and retailers. Research and understand competitive landscape; analyze market and consumer trends, retailer and industry needs. Lead complex deal negotiations and support the team in finalizing deal terms and licensing agreements. Drive significant new business opportunities to achieve budget and growth targets. Manage annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting; develop licensee objectives and initiatives with input from global brand commercialization, marketing, creative, product development and finance. Leadership: Provide leadership, direction and coaching to the team; set clear objectives and KPIs aligned with business and talent goals. Ensure the team has category expertise, is properly resourced, and can manage the business holistically. Develop and execute strategic plans driving sustained, long-term growth in Softline categories (Apparel, Accessories, Footwear and Home). Foster relationships with shared services, global and regional partners, and other Disney segments to drive growth. Prioritize talent management and progression opportunities to broaden experience. Collaboration: Build credibility with internal and external stakeholders; partner with brand commercialization to implement region-wide strategies; collaborate with creative/product development to deliver consumer-led products; work with marketing to optimize ROI on investments. Requirements & Qualifications
10+ years of experience in Softlines preferred, with deep understanding of retail/distribution channels. Licensing or retail experience required. Demonstrated global mindset with experience in unlocking and executing brand collaborations. Strategic thinking, executive-level communication, and managing multiple senior stakeholders. Excellent presentation and negotiating skills. Adaptable and able to thrive in ambiguous business situations. Ability to collaborate, influence and persuade at all levels; able to operate within a matrix structure. Exceptional organizational skills with ability to handle multiple tasks. Financial acumen and understanding of retail marketplace, P&L, market research and data analysis. High level of professionalism, maturity, leadership and political savviness. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field strongly preferred. Location & Compensation
The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $185,500 - $248,800 per year. The base pay offered will reflect internal equity and may vary by geographic region, knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on level and position offered.
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Director, Americas Softlines role at Disney Experiences. Reporting to the VP, Americas Softlines, the Director, North America Softlines will be responsible for building a pipeline of newness to grow softlines over the long-term plan, signing new business and managing brand partnerships/collaborations, and leading the Global Softlines business in the Americas across all core subcategories and licensees. The role will lead data-led, transformative strategies, identifying the right category, brand and retail partners to optimize revenue and position the business to deliver sustained growth trajectory. Key priorities include identifying new business opportunities, delivering a data-led and insight-driven approach to business development. Strong collaboration is required with creative, product development and global teams to optimize the regional go-to-market strategy. You will actively manage and cultivate engagement, partnership, and joint business planning with each account to negotiate contracts and collaborate daily with regional and functional counterparts. The role emphasizes strong, engaging leadership, mobilizing talent, and executing strategies with pace and excellence. Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Management: Develop, set and execute strategies for softlines in line with global strategy; plan new business for each sub-category and brand. Unlock category growth through data-driven insights and identify white space. Build a pipeline of new initiatives to secure long-term growth. Optimize partnership management: lead selection, contract negotiations, and relationships with top licensees and retailers. Research and understand competitive landscape; analyze market and consumer trends, retailer and industry needs. Lead complex deal negotiations and support the team in finalizing deal terms and licensing agreements. Drive significant new business opportunities to achieve budget and growth targets. Manage annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting; develop licensee objectives and initiatives with input from global brand commercialization, marketing, creative, product development and finance. Leadership: Provide leadership, direction and coaching to the team; set clear objectives and KPIs aligned with business and talent goals. Ensure the team has category expertise, is properly resourced, and can manage the business holistically. Develop and execute strategic plans driving sustained, long-term growth in Softline categories (Apparel, Accessories, Footwear and Home). Foster relationships with shared services, global and regional partners, and other Disney segments to drive growth. Prioritize talent management and progression opportunities to broaden experience. Collaboration: Build credibility with internal and external stakeholders; partner with brand commercialization to implement region-wide strategies; collaborate with creative/product development to deliver consumer-led products; work with marketing to optimize ROI on investments. Requirements & Qualifications
10+ years of experience in Softlines preferred, with deep understanding of retail/distribution channels. Licensing or retail experience required. Demonstrated global mindset with experience in unlocking and executing brand collaborations. Strategic thinking, executive-level communication, and managing multiple senior stakeholders. Excellent presentation and negotiating skills. Adaptable and able to thrive in ambiguous business situations. Ability to collaborate, influence and persuade at all levels; able to operate within a matrix structure. Exceptional organizational skills with ability to handle multiple tasks. Financial acumen and understanding of retail marketplace, P&L, market research and data analysis. High level of professionalism, maturity, leadership and political savviness. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field strongly preferred. Location & Compensation
The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $185,500 - $248,800 per year. The base pay offered will reflect internal equity and may vary by geographic region, knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on level and position offered.
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