Sr. Manager IP Partnerships & Brand Assurance

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

This marketing role serves as the Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) liaison for overseeing IP partner relationships, integrating cross-functional marketing programs at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) as well as leveraging and complying with global brand guidelines.

MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS (USJ)

• Develop and maintain relationships with international and domestic intellectual property (IP) and licensing partners for the review, approval and use of IP in the destination’s marketing creative, products and experiences. In partnership with Universal Creative strategy team, identify IP business opportunities and solutions for all destinations while always maintaining global alignment.
• Serve as the IP brand expert to review and advise the local marketing team in the preparation and submission of materials to IP and licensing partners.
• Coordinate with IP partners on presentations of their respective film/TV/product launches to the local teams to foster development of synergistic products and experiences within the destination as well as cross-promotional opportunities in key trip-driving markets
• Engage with both local and US-based legal teams to ensure adherence to licensing parameters and IP partner brand guidelines.
• Co-Lead Strategy & Creative Review sessions ensuring long-term planning, UDX alignment and best practices sharing. Drive the agenda with local marketing teams to review and schedule topics for follow up discussion with the US-based leadership team and other destinations.
• Provide expertise and guidance on USJ symphony planning and execution with UFEG, UP&E, Universal affiliates in Japan and UDX destinations. 

BRAND ASSURANCE (USJ)

• Serve as brand steward to establish and maintain UDX’s global brand standards across the destinations by applying knowledge and established practices while understanding the local market’s cultural idiosyncrasies to advise on the local teams’ programs.
• Review materials to ensure UDX Brand guidelines are being met and that creative is in line with UDX brand standards.  Give direction back to USJ team, and escalate challenges to UDX Leadership and Legal as needed.
• Provide input and guidance on activities as UDX best practices.
• Act as the first layer of review for nomenclature and translation of consumer-facing English-language materials to ensure brand fit including appropriateness of language and intended message; proofread and advise on local language if possible.
• Actively participate in the Global Brand Assurance sessions to share activities, ideas and learnings for the forward development of the UDX umbrella brand and the destination sub-brands.
• Collaborate with global peers to identify efficiencies and opportunities for global consistency for products and experiences.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL MARKETING INTEGRATION                                                                                       

• Attend in-person or virtual cross-functional marketing meetings to be fully aware of key marketing activities and resulting business performance against respective KPIs.
• Understand the destination’s socio-cultural, economic, technological, geographic and political environments in order to provide context to the observed business performance and challenges.
• Share knowledge and past experiences to assist the local destinations in planning holistic integrated marketing campaigns.
• Develop and maintain localized versions of UDX’s global workflow processes to maximize efficiencies, consistency and stakeholder visibility.
• Consult with US-based leaders and peers as needed to provide best practices from a global perspective for core disciplines and invite subject experts from other destinations to facilitate better understanding of subject matter and effective planning.

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university required or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s Degree preferred. 
• 5+ years of experience in Marketing/Advertising, Legal, Theme Park/Live Entertainment Administration; Licensing or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Based in Los Angeles. Fluent in Japanese with frequent travel to Osaka.
• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Advanced planning, project management and organizational skills.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced diplomacy and negotiation skills.
• Critical thinking, proven problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects at a time.
• Creative thinker with the ability to retain details and anticipate project needs.
• Detail oriented and able to provide clear direction.
• Focus on teamwork and adaptability.
• Ability to be flexible while ensuring compliance is not compromised.
• Current on intellectual property and theme park industry trends.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 including Office applications, Teams, etc.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $110,000 - $135,000 (bonus eligible)

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].