Manager, Convention Programming and Japanese Business Management (Bilingual Japanese & English)

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world.

Learn more online at Pokemon.com and on Facebook (facebook.com/pokemon), YouTube (youtube.com/pokemon), Twitter (twitter.com/pokemon), and Instagram (instagram.com/pokemon).

Get to know the role

• Job Title: Manager, Convention Programming & Japanese Business Management
• Job Summary: This role manages and directs the work of the convention program team- designing and sourcing experiential content for a broad range of customers at Pokémon events. This role also supports the event department’s relationship with Japanese parent company, TPC.
• FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt
• People Manager: Yes

What you’ll do

Own – Convention Program Development and Delivery: 

• Own convention program from end-to-end (development to delivery). 

• Develop pitches for show content, supporting each customer segment and product (excluding competitive and community-play levels). 

• Use a data-driven approach via market-research, competitive intelligence and/or needs-assessment initiatives, for use in guiding program development. 

• Manage development of DEI/CSR-related programming, working closely with TPCi’s Employee Resource Groups, supporting the mission of creating a welcoming and inclusive program with which to grow the fan base. 

• Source and secure the resources for pitched content (e.g. artist panels), negotiating contracts and fees where necessary. 

• Manage the content management system that is used to house and maintain convention program. 

• Review, edit and approve program and related materials. 

• Draft program titles, descriptions and/or abstracts as needed. 

• Work closely with marketing to ensure all programs are acurately (and actively) promoted and reflected on all public-facing medium. 

• Prepare and deliver communications, reports and presentations to key stakeholders throughout planning cycle. 

• Identify opportunities for innovative change and continuous enhancement of existing programs through ongoing review and analysis. 

• Conduct training and onboarding for new programming team members. 

• Provide guidance and mentoring to a team of bilingual convention program team members.
   

Support – Japanese Business Relations: 

• Provide ongoing business translation support between TPCi and parent company TPC, for multiple product lines – both live during meetings/conversations, and in written form. 

• Accurately relay complex, nuanced information between both groups- remaining impartial and providing context where necessary. 

• Build deep relationships and in-roads with Japanese business partners. 

• Develop strong understanding of the business structure, cultural norms, and key stakeholders within both companies. 

• Provide as hoc translation support for broader event team when necessary.               

What you’ll bring

• 5+ years of Convention Program delivery and development or equivalent experience.

• 2+ years of direct people management experience. 

• Bilingual in English and Japanese with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills in both languages. 

• Demonstrated portfolio of cutting-edge programs that you personally developed and implemented. 

• Strong understanding of B2C and/or Fan convention programming.  

• Speaker/talent management experience. 

• Skilled at high-level talent and contract negotiation.

• Comfort with switching between being an owner and being a supporter, and knowing when each role is warranted. 

• Ability to multitask and proactively manage assigned projects with minimal supervision. 

• Able to work under pressure and under challenging timelines. 

• Team player with ability to work with various groups across the organization. 

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, both as a leader of teams and as a leader of programs - dynamic, strategic and