Entertainment IP Manager

POP MART; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

POP MART in Los Angeles is seeking an Associate Manager to nurture POP MART owned IPs, drive strategy, and evaluate performance across markets. You will translate market signals into actionable direction and oversee inbound licensing with partners and internal teams.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in IP-driven businesses, product/licensing experience, and a strong retail/consumer understanding to inform category focus and merchandise initiatives. This role is onsite five days a week.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in IP-driven businesses such as entertainment, consumer products, licensing, or related fields.
• Experience working with licensed IP, including exposure to product development, approvals, or partner collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate IP and translate insight into strategic recommendations.
• Strong understanding of how IP translates into product, category expansion, and market performance.
• Strong understanding of the retail and consumer landscape, with the ability to translate insights into actionable direction.
• Experience interfacing with external partners or licensors in a professional setting.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the performance, positioning, and potential of POP MART owned IP across categories and markets.
• Identify opportunities for growth, expansion, or repositioning based on market signals and product performance.
• Contribute to a structured and disciplined approach to IP evaluation and decision-making.
• Develop clear, actionable recommendations to inform IP development and long-term strategy.

Skills

IP strategy

Licensing management

Market analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Partner management

Product development input

Job description

POP MART (09992.HK), founded in 2010, is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centered around IP, POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operation, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services, and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers. POP MART identifies and nurtures emerging artists and designers worldwide, creating popular character IPs through a well‑established IP development and operation system. Its portfolio includes iconic IPs such as MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS, and Hirono. By launching art toys and derivative products based on these IPs, POP MART continues to lead trends in consumer culture. As of the end of 2024, POP MART operates over 500 physical stores and more than 2,300 Robo Shops across 30+ countries and regions. Through multiple cross‑border e‑commerce platforms, the company has reached audiences in over 90 countries and regions, bringing joy to young consumers around the world.

Opportunity Overview

The IP (Associate) Manager supports the development and performance of POP MART’s owned IP portfolio by contributing to strategy, product direction, and market evaluation. This role is responsible for assessing IP performance, identifying opportunities for growth across categories and markets, and helping translate market signals into clear internal direction. In parallel, the role oversees inbound licensing execution, ensuring partners are well‑managed and aligned with internal product and brand priorities. This position works closely with cross‑functional teams and HQ to support decision‑making across IP development, product, and category planning. The ideal candidate brings experience across IP, product, and licensing, along with a strong understanding of the retail landscape and a proactive, detail‑oriented approach to execution. We follow an office policy with an expectation of five days per week working onsite. Being together in person helps us collaborate, stay connected, and build a strong team culture. At POP MART, we foster a high‑trust environment and trust our employees to make decisions that support both the team and the business.

IP Strategy and Portfolio Development

• Evaluate the performance, positioning, and potential of POP MART owned IP across categories and markets
• Identify opportunities for growth, expansion, or repositioning based on market signals and product performance
• Contribute to a more structured and disciplined approach to IP evaluation and decision‑making
• Develop clear, actionable recommendations to inform IP development and long‑term strategy

Product and Market Translation

• Translate external exposure and market observation into recommendations for product direction and category expansion
• Partner with internal teams and HQ to provide clear input on what is resonating in‑market and why
• Identify white space across product categories and consumer segments, and translate these into direction for IP and merchandise development
• Leverage retail, consumer, and competitive insights to inform category focus and highlight areas of underdevelopment or emerging demand

Inbound Licensing and External Partnerships

• Manage inbound licensing relationships across approvals, marketing coordination, and product alignment, ensuring consistent and timely execution
• Support contract processes and ongoing partner management, maintaining alignment with internal priorities
• Coordinate cross‑functional efforts tied to licensed IP, including campaign execution and partner deliverables

What You Will Need

• 3–5 years of experience in IP‑driven businesses (entertainment, consumer products, licensing, or related fields)
• Experience working with licensed IP, including exposure to product development, approvals, or partner collaboration
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate IP and translate insight into strategic recommendations
• Strong understanding of how IP translates into product, category expansion, and market performance
• Strong understanding of the retail and consumer landscape, with the ability to translate insights into actionable direction
• Experience interfacing with external partners or licensors in a professional setting