What You’ll Do

As Operations and Talent Manager, you will coordinate and oversee all administrative and operational duties in our Japan office. This position has dual reports to the Operations and HR team in region to ensure all business needs are appropriately met. To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate is well organized, has the ability to multi-task, is able to work in a fast-paced environment and is a team player who takes the initiative to resolve operational challenges and improve processes.

What you’ll be working on

• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the office as the main point of contact 
• Assist in all regulatory compliance matters, including but not limited to company/branches setup/deregistration, regulatory filings, licensing maintenance and renewals
• Provide direct administrative support as needed, including scheduling appointments, meetings, and events, booking travel, maintaining filing system, mailing and shipping packages, and employee list
• Oversee and maintain office equipment for uninterrupted function, identify and fulfill office supply needs, maintain and manage vendors, and coordinate food delivery as needed
• Manage office budget and coordinate with finance to ensure timely payment to vendors
• Collaborate with the building facilities team for office maintenance needs
• Provide first-level IT support to executive team and onsite staff
• Support operations safety management and policies and procedures
• Coordinate internal and external resources, and cultivate relationships with vendors
• Provide executive and administrative support and coordination as needed including managing calendar.
• Provide high-touch support to the staff throughout the workday, ensuring colleagues have the resources and a comfortable environment to do their best work.
• New Entity Setup: Assists in the preparation of any documents necessary for new company and branches setup
• Upkeep and maintain all business licenses and certificates necessary and assist in annual inspection with government agencies
• Liaise with regional contact to upkeep all company insurance information and renew company insurances before expiry date
• Work with team members to liaise with government officials in compliance with local regulations
• Office Lease Maintenance
• Act as the local point of contact for HR-related matters, coordinating between the Japan office and regional HR team
• Support recruitment processes, including coordinating interviews, communicating with candidates, and assisting with onboarding logistics
• Support day-to-day HR operations, including onboarding, offboarding, and employee documentation
• Coordinate with external vendors (e.g., payroll, benefits providers) to ensure smooth HR administration
• Ensure compliance with local labor requirements and maintain accurate, confidential employee records

Must Haves: 

• Bilingual spoken & written Japanese & English.
• 5+ years of office or operations management experience 
• Ability to operate effectively & efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Must exhibit excellent attention to detail and good organizational skills
• Must be energetic, highly motivated and able to multi-task
• Must take ownership of tasks and be able to follow through independently
• A self-starter who provides white glove customer service.
• Must be an adaptable problem-solver with the curiosity to learn
• Excellent written, interpersonal and communication skills
• Advanced computer skills and experience using email tools and online platforms (Dropbox, Zoom)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems
• Proficient in planning and executing operational initiatives

What You’ll Do

As SVP, Head of Japan & South Korea, you’ll be leading the Authentic Brands Group’s expansion efforts in the region. In this critical role, you’ll work with corporate leadership to execute a strategy focused on increasing Authentic’s brand presence in these territories. We’re seeking a driven leader with extensive knowledge of brand licensing who has a strong network of contacts in the licensing and retail sectors to join our team.

The SVP, Head of Japan & South Korea will have overall P&L responsibility for the region, including annual business development goals, current licensee royalty streams, execution of marketing initiatives, and managing administrative costs.

What You’ll Be Working On

Develop and lead Authentic’s Japan and South Korea strategy

• Manage the strategy and execution of a multi-billion-dollar business including planning, revenue forecasting, and business analysis to inform go-forward plans for growth and efficiency
• Work collaboratively with Authentic’s corporate international leadership team to develop and execute the strategy for expansion in the region
• Develop and implement business plans to ramp up business development and awareness of the company’s brand portfolio
• Position Authentic’s brands competitively; monitor competitor product efforts, site changes, and industry trends; work proactively to sustain the strength of brands and products
• Work collaboratively with licensees to develop and execute critical action plans including product initiatives, wholesale and retail distribution efforts, and digital and social media marketing
• Manage the strategy and execution of a multi-billion-dollar business, including planning, forecasting, and analysis of results to define go-forward strategies for growth and efficiency to increase online sales and optimize the customer experience.

Lead Japan & South Korea business development

• Formulate a development strategy that generates new business pipeline; incorporate regional and categorical nuances into the sales strategy
• Source and recruit a business development team that prospects, qualifies, and closes new licensing and direct-to-retail deals
• Take a hands-on approach to business development; work closely with the business development team to drive sales activity and close deals
• Leverage your network of contacts to schedule discussions and meetings with target licensing and retail prospects

Establish, manage, and optimize a high-performing team

• Serve as leader of the Japan and South Korea team
• In partnership with Authentic Corporate, source, recruit and select top talent for the team
• Mentor and lead the team; plan and execute talent retention strategies
• Coordinate for the delivery of training, career and talent development that retains talent and strengthens the business
• Observe team performance and provide regular feedback and coaching to help team members maximize their contributions.

Oversee brand and marketing management

• Own partner licensee relationships: Train, develop and ensure licensees are adhering to the standards of their agreements
• Coordinate and align brand marketing between Authentic and licensees guaranteeing the most up-to-date brand information is conveyed to and adopted by the licensee
• Monitor licensee performance and proactively troubleshoot and correct challenges relating to key contractual and operational issues
• Manage daily operations of Japan and South Korea
• Support accounts receivable and collections activity
• Manage and monitor office business expense to budget; proactively adjust the budget to achieve P&L goals
• Lead and facilitate productive communications between the regional team and Authentic
• corporate office; ensure that local employees are informed and aware of corporate initiatives and directions related to their job responsibilities
• Establish a formal framework for the timely and transparent reporting of business matters to the Authentic corporate team

Must Haves

• Have 15+ or more years’ brand development and licensing experience in fashion, retail or celebrity, and entertainment
• Be a driven self-starter with executive-level leadership qualities
• Have extensive hands-on experience leading all aspects of a business operation including business development and sales, brand management and marketing, and P&L management
• Be a decisive problem solver with the ability to assess situations quickly, consider options, and choose a path forward
• Have experience working independently and exhibit excellent communication skills
• Understand the mechanics of the licensing business model
• Possess an extensive network of contacts in the licensing and retail sectors in the Japan and South Korea region
• Have a deep understanding of the market and consumers in the Japan and South Korea region
• Have earned a bachelor’s degree, MBA preferred

What You’ll Do

As the BD Director, Lifestyle – Japan, you’ll be developing and executing strategies for expanding Authentic's base of licensing partnerships, increasing the footprint of the company’s brands, and ultimately delivering top-line revenue for the organization in Japan. You’ll manage to pitch, sell, negotiate and drive new licensing deals to a close. If you’re a strategic thinker with a creative spirit and are driven to win, we’d like to meet you. We’re proud to offer our BD Executives unlimited commission and are excited to welcome eager sellers to our team.

What You'll Be Working On

Generate Qualified Leads

• Learn and understand Authentic’s brand strategies.
• Research the market and identify prospective new licensing partners that map to your brand portfolio and meet Authentic's partner qualifications.
• Identify target contacts and decision makers inside target companies and establish contact via cold calling, email outreach, and other means, as necessary.

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 product licensing 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 licensing 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

Compensation:

Sales Executives are eligible for Authentic's Uncapped Commission Plan. Commission is paid to Business Development Executives as royalty payments are received from the licensees with whom they closed deals – usually quarterly over the duration of the agreement.

Must Haves

• 8+ years experience in new business development in licensing for Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion markets in Japan.
• Experience in full-cycle sales from lead generation through closing the deal.
• Have knowledge and understanding of licensees and product categories.
• Possess an eager demeanor with a fearless and professional drive to win; substantial cold calling and other forms of outreach are required.
• Success at negotiating licensing contracts, creatively developing new business ideas.
• Able to partner closely with licensees to understand their business needs and explore opportunities for growth.
• Understand licensing sales successes and challenges, key retail accounts, development plans and strategy.
• Understand best practices for Licensees.
• Has a bachelor’s degree.
• Must be willing and able to travel occasionally as the role requires.

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