Virtual World Jobs: Senior Brand Manager, Online Gaming – Emeryville, CA

Job Description

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Position Overview

The Senior Brand Manager for Online Gaming, will lead the online experience related to LeapFrog handheld gaming platforms, defining marketing strategy, consumer experience and long range strategy. The position requires strong knowledge of marketing principles and practices, the ability to lead cross-functional teams through new product development and launch processes, strong experience with online game development and marketing, and the drive to execute a successful product plan through complete product lifecycles. The position also requires the ability to manage and mentor one or more direct reports. A strong affinity for gaming and the ongoing education and development of children are strongly preferred.

The Senior Brand Manager will report to the Director of Marketing.

Key Responsibilities
Overall business management, including short, medium and long-term strategic planning in conjunction with the Director of Marketing.
Develop annual and long-range product strategies, determining features sets and revenue opportunities through analysis of the external marketplace, customers and competitors to meet revenue and profitability targets.
Oversee the definition and implementation of site value proposition and customer communications, acquisition and retention strategies.
Lead large, cross-functional strategic product initiatives using Web 2.0 development methods.
Identify unique brand and product opportunities, defendable and compelling positionings, ongoing development strategies and goals, and ambitious marketing communication objectives based on analysis and understanding of consumer needs.
Work with the Marketing Communications team to develop marketing plans to meet product line revenue and profitability targets.
Commission market research, category, trend and competitive analyses to identify consumer needs and insights that pinpoint compelling new opportunities and that refine product positioning and development.
Work closely with content, product development and engineering teams to develop product, ensure on-time market launch, and manage ongoing updates and development.
Liaise with US sales and International teams to ensure all initiatives are maximized to their full potential in all channels.
Be a product champion creating internal and external enthusiasm for the product.
Effectively interface with upper-management, executives, other departments, customers, vendors, press and outside contacts as an inspirational expert for the brand and product.
Prepare presentations on a regular basis which are capable of selling and supporting your ideas through all levels of the business.
Management of one or more direct reports.

Knowledge & Skills

Experience with consumer internet product marketing and management involving: development of product strategy and roadmaps, marketing strategy, consumer research, product positioning, and customer conversion and retention strategies.
Creativity and passion for games and the web. Experience with kid-targeted online gaming preferred. Experience in the games industry, including video games, online games, online games communities, virtual words and/or digital distribution is a plus.
Demonstrated knowledge and application of marketing principles and practices.
Experience working in a deadline and performance oriented environment with a high attention to quality.
Proven successful experience leading development of products or sites and managing them once they have launched.
Must be a self starter with energy, drive and determination to accomplish goals and demonstrated ability to multi-task, set priorities, stay focused, and set clear milestones.
Must demonstrate leadership ability in motivating and guiding cross functional teams while managing a major product line or sub-brand.
Must be results oriented and possess excellent analytical skills.
Must have a keen creative sense and strong problem solving ability.
Must have experience with P&L management and the ability to turn financial data into sound business decisions.
Must be able to manage product and organizational complexity and ambiguity.
Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, superior presentation skills and the ability to sell and support ideas to executives and outside interests.
Must have experience managing direct reports.

Education & Training
BS/BA with marketing emphasis or equivalent relevant experience.
MBA with similar emphasis or equivalent relevant experience in Marketing preferred.
5 + years marketing experience in an entertainment and/or consumer-driven company – kid targeted online gaming preferred.