Manager, Retail Development

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 theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

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.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Universal Products & Experiences Overview:

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and 3rd party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s three lines of business include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, as well as Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

Universal Products & Experiences is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague.

It is the policy of NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal's affiliated businesses to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Retail Development, the Manager, Retail Development will drive opportunities supporting NBCUniversal’s IP within select categories across the Toys & Hardlines categories at Target and Amazon. The Manager will collaborate internally with Category, Franchise Strategy, Product Development and Retail Marketing teams to develop, pitch, secure, and implement merchandise programs. While also partnering externally with Toys & Hardlines licensee partners and relevant Buyers/Vendor Managers to build meaningful programs and evergreen support throughout the year. Together, driving towards annual revenue targets across both accounts that deliver on long-term UP&E growth objectives.  

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Salary range: $90,000 - $125,000 (bonus eligible)

Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day responsibilities across Toys & Hardlines Multi-Categories, including Publishing, Stationery, Party, Games & Puzzles, Outdoor Seasonal, and Consumer Electronics for Target and Amazon
• Help develop strategies that maximize Universal IP product and program placement across the Toys & Hardlines Multi-Category business, laddering up to the broader Toys & Hardlines and Annual Account Plans and corresponding revenue deliverables that are tied to annual goal setting.
• Develops influential relationships with Buyers/Vendor Managers and in partnership with Sr. Director at Target and Amazon “expert” for UP&E. Is the leading authority on key category, departmental, and corporate strategies for internal teams.
• Drives each Buyer/VM meeting agenda, presentation, and delivers timely recaps for both internal and external partners. 
• Regularly tracks POS data, consumer insights, and account-specific initiatives, recommending action plans to address dynamic business needs.
• Develops strong relationships with licensees’ retail account teams to support the sell-in of NBCUniversal IP; regularly reviews performance of existing licensees and makes recommendations to Category based on buyer feedback, first-hand experience, and program opportunities.
• Owns and drives kick-offs with internal teams and partners outlining IP prioritization, asset, and product development needs driven by both Category strategies and retail-led opportunities.
• Proactively tracks and prioritizes product placement for marketing program development.
• Contributes to bi-annual Studio Swing Presentations (and other key meetings throughout the year) with forward-thinking approach, including building out account/category-specific strategies and approach into slides
• Has an entrepreneurial spirit and thinks about new ways to work or drive new processes, go to market, and thinks big from ideation through to execution.
• Can handle a wide range of tasks or situations, demonstrating a broad skillset and the ability to switch between different roles or activities that show that they are versatile, adaptable, or resilient.
• Monitors travel and entertainment budget within the company budget and files all expense reports in a timely manner. 
• Must be willing and able to travel, sometimes on short notice. 
• If LA based, this role is Hybrid must work in office a minimum of three days a week (Tue-Thu) through 2025 and four days a week (Mon-Thu) starting in January 2026, or as required based on business needs (subject to change).

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5+ years of National Account sales experience in Toys & Hardlines. Target and/or Amazon experience preferred
• Strong skill set:
  • Solution-based selling
  • Relationship building, influencing
  • Presentation skills and comfortable presenting to small and large groups
  • Strategic planning, analytical, and project management
  • eCommerce best practices
  • Communication
  • Retail marketing principles
• Deep knowledge of retail business including consumer products businesses and retail marketing tactics
• Desire to collaborate and communicate consistently and effectively with supervisor, UP&E colleagues, and cross-divisional stakeholders.
• eCommerce experience
• Demonstrates ability to excel in a fast-paced environment
• Highly adaptable and resourceful; proactive versus reactive
• Open to additional projects or account responsibility
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including but not limited to Word and Excel, basic Keynote skills for presentations

Desired Characteristics:

• Owner and driver of the business
• Entrepreneurial 
• Innovator
• Creative thinker
• Communicator
• Collaborative partner
• Proactive and Resourceful 
• Personable, outgoing, and positive personality 
• Flexible and adaptable
• Understands the Target and Amazon businesses

Additional Requirements:

• Travel may be required
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the needs of the team
• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

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].

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.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

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].