Sr. Manager, Global Creative and Product Development Operations – Licensed Merchandise

Why Play Station?

Play Station isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The Play Station family of products and services including Play Station®5, Play Station®4, Play Station®VR, Play Station®Plus, acclaimed Play Station software titles from Play Station Studios, and more.

Play Station also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The Play Station brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

Sr. Manager, Global Creative and Product Development Operations – Licensed Merchandise

San Mateo, CA (Collab)/Remote

We are looking for an experienced Sr. Manager, Global Creative and Product Development Operations on the Licensed Merchandise Team with strong global operations, creative, and licensing experience to manage the global creative and product development team.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for processes, deadlines, consumer trends, and the ability to drive creative excellence across various projects.

You have a proven track record for working on large IP projects and culturally relevant programs with partners across hardlines and softlines categories to grow the Play Station brand and our software IP titles.

This role will oversee the creative and product development processes and teams, as well as coordinate all milestones to successfully go to market across the entire Licensed Merchandise Team.

You will partner closely with the Licensing leads, licensees and gaming studios, franchise, retail marketing and other cross‑functional teams, to bring the global vision, strategy, and operational plan to life.

This role will work with executives and stakeholders, internally and externally, to deliver business results. We are seeking an out‑of‑the‑box thinker, who can operate proactively in a fast‑paced environment and is able to wear many hats.

• Team management and experience coaching
• Detailed understanding of the product development processes, production, and manufacturing, timelines
• Lead full concept to production lifecycle for creative assets, ensuring teams deliver on time, on budget and at scale
• Design and implement streamlined workflows to improve speed, consistency and quality
• Lead the planning and development of style guides, creative assets, PD tools, and serving as the primary driver behind the creation process
• Collaborate with external agencies to source talent and manage the execution of creative projects, ensuring alignment with brand standards and objectives
• Guide creative collaboration throughout the project lifecycle
• Lead all stages of product development across all categories for any licensing deal or collaborations
• Undertake general design tasks to support Licensing team’s efforts, including but not limited to branding, packaging, promotional and marketing collateral trade‑show needs, and sales materials

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Design, Marketing, or a related field
• Proven experience (15‑20 years) in a creative leadership role, within the licensing and consumer products industry
• Proficiency in project management tools
• Strong project management abilities, including the capacity to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage resources effectively
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and influence stakeholders at all levels
• A strategic mindset with a deep understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and brand positioning
• Gaming or Entertainment experience preferred
• Proven experience to manage studios (film, series or game) in the creation of product development

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