Spiralcute International, Inc.
Creative Development Manager Character Brand Licensing & Creative IP
Spiralcute International, Inc., Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Creative Development Manager Character Brand Licensing & Creative IP
Pay range: $85,000.00/yr – $150,000.00/yr
About Spiralcute International, Inc. Spiralcute is a leading Japanese character brand management company, renowned for building "sophisti-cute" brands that blend heartfelt narratives, wit, and charm. We specialize in developing emerging character stars into irresistible consumer products through strategic licensing, engaging fans with innovative promotional campaigns through unique partnerships. Our portfolio features beloved franchises including Chiikawa, Mofusand, Koupen Chan, and more. Headquartered in Tokyo, Spiralcute oversees character brand development and operational strategies. Our Los Angeles-based subsidiary, Spiralcute International, Inc., supports partners and facilitates licensing opportunities worldwide.
Location: Los Angeles, California – remote, with potential hybrid office in the near future.
Role Description We are seeking a proficiently organized Creative Development Manager to oversee the workflow, schedules, and deliverables within the Creative Development Team. The role focuses on artist/character brand management and consumer products licensing, ensuring that all creative development assets and functions (style guides, branding programs, experiences, product designs, marketing materials) are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with brand standards. Working closely with the ECD, you will act as the bridge between creative and licensed product development, marketing, and external partners, maintaining operational efficiency and smooth execution of all creative projects.
Job Responsibilities Project & Workflow Management
Develop, manage, and track production schedules for creative deliverables (style guides, product designs, packaging, retail creative, experiences, marketing campaigns).
Maintain project trackers and timelines to ensure on-time delivery of creative assets to licensees, partners, and internal teams.
Coordinate approval workflows with Creative Directors, Designers, and Product Development.
Anticipate production bottlenecks, troubleshoot, and elevate issues when needed.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Act as liaison between Creative, Brand Assurance, Marketing, and Legal teams in the US and Japan to ensure alignment on priorities.
Communicate deliverable requirements, timelines, and expectations to licensees and vendors.
Facilitate feedback loops between internal stakeholders and external partners.
Asset & Resource Management
Oversee preparation and distribution of creative assets (style guides, templates, art files).
Maintain awareness of version control and file delivery standards.
Support Creative Team/Brand Assurance/Asset Managers in maintaining library and archive systems (DAM or shared drives).
Production Oversight
Manage outsourcing of creative work (illustrators, design studios, agencies), including timelines, budgets, and documentation (NDAs, contracts, etc).
Ensure production quality standards are met across all creative outputs.
Reporting & Analysis
Provide status updates to the ECD and cross-functional teams.
Track project completion rates, partner satisfaction, and process efficiency.
Recommend improvements to workflows and production tools.
Qualifications & Skills
4–6+ years of experience in production, project management, or creative operations within consumer products, licensing, entertainment, or brand management.
Strong organizational and project management skills; proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Familiarity with consumer product licensing and/or character brand management workflows.
Proficiency in project management software (AirTable or similar).
Understanding of creative file formats (AI, PSD, EPS, INDD, PNG, etc.) and digital asset management systems such as MMB (MyMediaBox).
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to manage internal and external relationships.
Preferred Qualifications
Background in consumer products, fashion, toys, publishing, event/experiences, and/or character/IP-based industries.
Experience collaborating with a variety of licensees and out-of-house creative agencies/studios and design professionals.
Knowledge of design and production processes (print, packaging, digital).
Strong interest in pop culture, character branding, and product design trends.
Japanese language skills (JLPT N1/N2) – a very big plus.
Organized & Detail-Oriented: Keeps complex projects on track.
Collaborative: Builds bridges across creative and business teams.
Problem-Solver: Anticipates and resolves production challenges.
Brand-Focused: Understands and assists in protection of the creative vision of character IP.
Adaptable: Thrives in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
Intended Results
Timely delivery of creative assets to and from in‑house teams, licensees, and partners.
A positive and collaborative environment with high satisfaction from internal leadership and external partners.
Streamlined workflows that improve team productivity.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision options, and life insurance, as well as paid holidays, PTO, and sick pay.
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Marketing and Sales
Industries Marketing Services
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About Spiralcute International, Inc. Spiralcute is a leading Japanese character brand management company, renowned for building "sophisti-cute" brands that blend heartfelt narratives, wit, and charm. We specialize in developing emerging character stars into irresistible consumer products through strategic licensing, engaging fans with innovative promotional campaigns through unique partnerships. Our portfolio features beloved franchises including Chiikawa, Mofusand, Koupen Chan, and more. Headquartered in Tokyo, Spiralcute oversees character brand development and operational strategies. Our Los Angeles-based subsidiary, Spiralcute International, Inc., supports partners and facilitates licensing opportunities worldwide.
Location: Los Angeles, California – remote, with potential hybrid office in the near future.
Role Description We are seeking a proficiently organized Creative Development Manager to oversee the workflow, schedules, and deliverables within the Creative Development Team. The role focuses on artist/character brand management and consumer products licensing, ensuring that all creative development assets and functions (style guides, branding programs, experiences, product designs, marketing materials) are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with brand standards. Working closely with the ECD, you will act as the bridge between creative and licensed product development, marketing, and external partners, maintaining operational efficiency and smooth execution of all creative projects.
Job Responsibilities Project & Workflow Management
Develop, manage, and track production schedules for creative deliverables (style guides, product designs, packaging, retail creative, experiences, marketing campaigns).
Maintain project trackers and timelines to ensure on-time delivery of creative assets to licensees, partners, and internal teams.
Coordinate approval workflows with Creative Directors, Designers, and Product Development.
Anticipate production bottlenecks, troubleshoot, and elevate issues when needed.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Act as liaison between Creative, Brand Assurance, Marketing, and Legal teams in the US and Japan to ensure alignment on priorities.
Communicate deliverable requirements, timelines, and expectations to licensees and vendors.
Facilitate feedback loops between internal stakeholders and external partners.
Asset & Resource Management
Oversee preparation and distribution of creative assets (style guides, templates, art files).
Maintain awareness of version control and file delivery standards.
Support Creative Team/Brand Assurance/Asset Managers in maintaining library and archive systems (DAM or shared drives).
Production Oversight
Manage outsourcing of creative work (illustrators, design studios, agencies), including timelines, budgets, and documentation (NDAs, contracts, etc).
Ensure production quality standards are met across all creative outputs.
Reporting & Analysis
Provide status updates to the ECD and cross-functional teams.
Track project completion rates, partner satisfaction, and process efficiency.
Recommend improvements to workflows and production tools.
Qualifications & Skills
4–6+ years of experience in production, project management, or creative operations within consumer products, licensing, entertainment, or brand management.
Strong organizational and project management skills; proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Familiarity with consumer product licensing and/or character brand management workflows.
Proficiency in project management software (AirTable or similar).
Understanding of creative file formats (AI, PSD, EPS, INDD, PNG, etc.) and digital asset management systems such as MMB (MyMediaBox).
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to manage internal and external relationships.
Preferred Qualifications
Background in consumer products, fashion, toys, publishing, event/experiences, and/or character/IP-based industries.
Experience collaborating with a variety of licensees and out-of-house creative agencies/studios and design professionals.
Knowledge of design and production processes (print, packaging, digital).
Strong interest in pop culture, character branding, and product design trends.
Japanese language skills (JLPT N1/N2) – a very big plus.
Organized & Detail-Oriented: Keeps complex projects on track.
Collaborative: Builds bridges across creative and business teams.
Problem-Solver: Anticipates and resolves production challenges.
Brand-Focused: Understands and assists in protection of the creative vision of character IP.
Adaptable: Thrives in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
Intended Results
Timely delivery of creative assets to and from in‑house teams, licensees, and partners.
A positive and collaborative environment with high satisfaction from internal leadership and external partners.
Streamlined workflows that improve team productivity.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision options, and life insurance, as well as paid holidays, PTO, and sick pay.
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Marketing and Sales
Industries Marketing Services
#J-18808-Ljbffr