Business Growth, Communication Skills, Cross-Functional, Detail Oriented, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design, Graphics, Inside Sales, Leadership, Licensing, Mentoring, Merchandising, Organizational Skills, Product Design, Product Merchandising, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player
Director Of Kids Licensing Character Design & Merchandising
We are seeking a director of kids licensing character design & merchandising to lead and elevate a growing creative team focused on licensed children's apparel and products. This is a highly collaborative leadership role for someone who combines strong creative instincts with merchandising sensibility and a deep understanding of licensed character design.
The ideal candidate is excited by the opportunity to help build and shape a fast-moving team and environment while driving elevated, commercially successful product across a wide portfolio of licensed brands and characters.
Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop a creative merchandising and design team of approximately 10 people
- Drive the overall creative direction across licensed kids character product categories
- Partner closely with internal merchandising, sales, and production teams to deliver trend-right, commercially strong assortments
- Review and approve strike offs, color approvals, and artwork execution to ensure product quality and visual impact
- Maintain a strong eye for elevated design, color, graphics, and character placement
- Ensure product feels fresh, premium, and differentiated while remaining true to each licensor's brand standards
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with licensors and creative teams when applicable
- Collaborate cross functionally to identify opportunities for innovation, trend direction, and assortment growth
- Help establish scalable creative processes while contributing to the continued growth of the business
Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in licensed kids apparel, accessories, or consumer products design/merchandising
- Prior experience managing and leading creative teams
- Strong understanding of licensed character product and the approvals process
- Exceptional taste level with a strong eye for color, graphics, and elevated design execution
- Experience reviewing strike offs, lab dips, and production samples with attention to detail and quality
- Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Existing relationships with licensors and creative approval teams are a strong plus
- Entrepreneurial mindset with excitement around building and growing a team and business