EMEA Category Manager, Fashion & Living

Company Description
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.
Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.
ABOUT US
Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E)
At Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E), we don't just create products-we create a universe that fans can hold in their hands, wear, play, read, and experience every day. From Jurassic World's roaring adventures to the playful charm of Minions and the timeless wonder of Back to the Future, we transform stories into unforgettable moments that spark joy across the globe.
UP&E has grown rapidly while keeping the energy, agility, and inventive spirit of a start-up. Our mission is bold: to take imagination beyond the screen and into the real world through innovative products, immersive retail moments, and extraordinary theme park destinations. We bring both Universal-owned and third-party worlds to life across expansive theme park destinations, e-commerce platforms, live entertainment venues, and global retail partnerships-fueling fandom everywhere it lives. Whether it's iconic toys, fashion collaborations, books, collectibles, lifestyle products, or cutting-edge video games, we work with world-class licensees and creators to make our universe tangible.
Here, creativity meets technology, and strategy meets storytelling. We connect design, commercial excellence, and fan passion to deliver experiences that millions cherish-inside the parks and far beyond them. As part of Universal Destinations & Experiences, you'll join a global team that thrives on collaboration, imagination, and the power of culture-shaping ideas. Your work will inspire fans, uplift communities, and leave a lasting mark on entertainment history.
We believe in a workplace where every voice matters, every perspective is valued, and every colleague can shine. That's how we strive to be an employer of choice for talent and a partner of choice for retailers, licensees, and creators who share our passion for world-class storytelling. If you're ready to bring imagination to life and create moments that resonate worldwide-your next adventure starts here.
Join us and help create moments that matter.
Job Description
The EMEA Category Manager Fashion & Living is responsible for developing and executing a long-term business strategy for the Fashion & Living sub-categories (Accessories, Footwear, Infant & Homeware); leveraging the richness of NBCUniversal's entertainment content to achieve annual revenue and growth targets. They will be responsible for identifying whitespace opportunities and the best partners (Licensees / Collaboration Brands) to engage with. They will collaborate with EMEA market teams to pitch new business and negotiate agreements, ultimately delivering innovative quality product ranges. With oversight on these categories (Accessories, Footwear, Infant & Homeware), they will deliver accurate quarterly forecasting and support active retail sell-in of cohesive product ranges.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Category and Partner Management

• Lead EMEA business development & management for subcategories; Accessories, Footwear, Infant & Homeware.
• Collaborate closely with local market teams, to identify whitespace and support best in class pitch build, ensuring alignment with existing business.
• Lead contract negotiations with new Regional licensee opportunities, Brand collaborators, analyze forecasts & business plans
• Drive the Evergreen strategy and maximise movie Tent Pole moments.
• Be the category expert; Consistently stay abreast of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics for category and key licensees / partners. Share regularly with DTR & Hub category teams.
• Partner with Regional DTR Teams & Hub Category managers to build cohesive commercial product ranges and land credible assortments for the assigned categories.
• Collaborate across the matrix to drive business forward; Category, Product Design, Franchise, Finance, Legal, ECommerce & HR
• Where relevant on new and existing partners, dedicated account management to ensure contract deliverables are met throughout the contract term
• Lead the EMEA Brand Collaborations arm of the total EMEA Fashion & Living category strategy. Research , connect and Pitch relevant Halo and Collaboration brands.
• Be the EMEA conduit for In-Theatre license premiums with Global Partners - Snapco & Zinc
• Regular attendance of trade shows and events where relevant - e.g. Brand Licensing Europe.

Finance and Business Planning

• Fiscal responsibility on sub categories to include quarterly revenue forecasting & annual budget planning
• Identify whitespace opportunities using data to guide decisions.
• Gather and analyze business performance across category by licensee and partner/retailer. Build action plans where relevant to drive business momentum.

Brand and Content Management

• Support brand marketing initiatives including the development and execution of category plans
• Assist in delivering creative assets and refreshes
• Secure support for partners within broader brand strategies and retail plans (Tent Pole & Evergreen)

Retail Development

• Identify new retail business opportunities and whitespace for EMEA Regional partners.
• Develop and nurture strong relationships with key buyers across EMEA DTR & Specialty Retail where relevant.
• Maintain knowledge of key seasonality and buying cycles of retailers ensuring opportunities are maximized
• Partner with Ecom team to drive Ecommerce product penetration and merchandise excellence for assigned categories.

Strategy - as it pertains to the designated subcategories Accessories, Footwear, Infant & Homeware:

• Support the EMEA Senior Director to develop Sub-Category strategies for Accessories, Footwear, Infant & Homeware in EMEA. Support Roll out and monitoring of same.
  • Gathering data, market & competitor insights
  • Evaluating size of prize
• Collaborate with local market category managers to Identify & maximise key partners and whitespace opportunities across age, segment, market, channel and franchise in designated categories. Support local pitch builds.
• Research, Pitch and Onboard new Regional Partners and manage same.
• Lead the EMEA Brand Collaborations arm of the Fashion & Living category strategy. Represent EMEA on Global Taskforce.
  • Identify, Target and Pitch Fashion & Living Brands to collaborate with on Key franchises according to the EMEA Franchise Priority grid.
  • Support EMEA Senior Directors of F&L & PD to develop EMEA Collaborations strategy & drive action.
  • Support Fashion & Living Market leads with their collaboration strategy and pitching where relevant. Manage Global Collaboration tracker input.
  • Attend Global Collaboration Task Force meetings and presentations and manage EMEA input to same.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of the licensing industry and process; timelines, production and creative capabilities/limitations. Ideally with Fashion & Living category experience (Licensing / Buying).
• Experience of Fashion & Living industry from a Brand / Retailer background is advantageous.
• Excellent communication & presentation skills.
• Collaboration & influencing skills are key - A Team player, who can operate the matrix, with solid relationship building skills.
• A synergistic approach to Deal making is a must for this role.
• Proven Strategic ability, influencing skills and creative thinker
• Strong data analysis capabilities and robust financial acumen
• Flexible/agile - ability to operate in a dynamic business environment
• Strong sales and negotiation skills, with proven track record of hitting targets and delivering growth

Additional Information
As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].