Product Development Manager (Consumer Products)

WildBrain; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Creative work environment

Growth and development opportunities

Job summary

A leading entertainment licensing agency is seeking a Product Development Manager for its Creative Services team in London. The role involves managing the end-to-end product approvals and ensuring innovative products align with brand standards for notable brands. The ideal candidate should have expertise in product development, experience in brand activation, and proficiency with necessary software tools. This position offers a hybrid work model and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of product development and approval processes.
• Experience in creatively driving range development.
• Proficiency with online approval software.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end product approvals process.
• Ensure client approval processes are adhered to.
• Deliver bi-weekly updates to the local commercial team.

Skills

Product development knowledge

Proactive mindset

Consumer products brand experience

Understanding of European markets

Adobe Creative Suite proficiency

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Solution-driven attitude

Tools

MyMediaBox

Brand Comply

Monday.com

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Overview

WildBrain CPLG is a world‑leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency with 20 offices worldwide. Since 1972 we have provided partners with dedicated licensing and marketing professionals and fully integrated retail, creative & product development, legal and accounting services. The role is based in London and is hybrid, balancing collaboration in the office with remote work.

About The Role

Product Development Manager in the Creative Services team. You will work across a wide portfolio of lifestyle, entertainment and sports brands, including Peanuts and WildBrain Brands, ensuring client approval processes are adhered to and managing creative execution on all product ranges. The position reports to the Western Regional Lead (UK, FR, BNLX) and focuses primarily on the Benelux region.

Product Development

• Manage the end‑to‑end approvals process and deliver innovative, brand‑appropriate products to market.
• Proactively manage multiple projects using software such as MyMediaBox, Brand Comply & Monday.com.
• Support the wider PD team on key partner submissions when necessary.
• Manage the creative output of partners, ensuring appropriate sign‑off across WildBrain brands.
• Deliver bi‑weekly updates to the local commercial team with reports on licensee developments, status and asset updates.
• Participate in regular summits and status calls with the Creative Services team.

Licensor/Licencee Management

• Manage and review quarterly licensee reports highlighting designs in selection and those that have been selected or raised purchase orders.
• Plan and run ideation sessions to drive interest and innovation.
• Liaise with licensees to ensure feedback is appropriate and solution‑driven.
• Proactively manage licensee range development, identifying gaps in article development and/or standard of execution.
• Establish, develop and nurture external relationships across the licensee portfolio.

Creative

• Participate and engage in global team activities such as comp shops, providing visibility to the group.
• Remain alert to market and industry trends and share knowledge across the global team.
• Identify style guide gaps and licensee needs in line with the wider Creative Services team.
• Monitor competitors, product innovation and market dynamics.

Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of product development and approval processes, and experience creatively driving range development.
• A proactive, solution‑driven mindset to deliver against deadlines.
• Relevant consumer products brand activation experience in licensing.
• Good understanding of consumer product categories and their production limitations.
• Proficiency with online approval software, including running reports.
• Good knowledge of the Dutch, UK and wider European market, including retailers.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to communicate clear changes in design/direction while managing all stakeholders.
• Wider knowledge of licensing and product/design trends with a natural interest in consumer products.
• Solution‑driven with a can‑do attitude.
• Eye for detail.

What We Offer

WildBrain is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to join forces with extraordinary, insightful, and imaginative people. We invest in our people’s growth and development in a creative work environment. Competitive benefits and a culture of encouragement and individuality are part of what we offer.

Our Commitment

Diversity and inclusion are in our DNA. As a global leader in kids and family entertainment we strive to reflect and honour the diversity of our audiences worldwide. We create an environment where every individual feels valued, respected and can bring their authentic self to work. WildBrain accommodates people with disabilities throughout recruitment and selection. We encourage applicants with similar experience—close to what we’ve listed—to consider applying.

About WildBrain

WildBrain inspires imagination through storytelling, leading in 360° franchise management across content creation, audience engagement and global licensing. Our mission is to cultivate love for our own and partner brands through exceptional entertainment experiences. Home to franchises such as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi, we produce acclaimed series including The Snoopy Show, Snoopy in Space, Camp Snoopy, Teletubbies Let’s Go! and Yo Gabba GabbaLand!. Our consumer products licensing arm, WildBrain CPLG, represents brands worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, WildBrain is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit wildbrain.com for more information.