Job Description

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