Convention Programming Manager

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world.

Get to know the role

• Job Title: Convention Programming Manager
• Job Summary: This role brings creative (outside the box) event programming/activation ideas (excluding competitive and community-play) to serve a broad range of customers at Pokémon events, overseeing the programming/activation from planning to execution under the Manager, Convention Programming & Japanese Business Management. 
• FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt
• People Manager: No

What you’ll do 

• Plan creative (outside the box) programming/activation ideas (excluding competitive and community-play) for Pokémon events to grow the fan base.
• Create and develop pitches/presentations for those new programming/activation to present to other managers and executives.
• Communicate and work with each internal stakeholders and departments to make sure the company’s vision and goal are reflected on the new programming/activation.
• Work and communicate with vendors to make sure our visions and goals are effectively reflected.
• Communicate with Marketing and other internal teams to deliver event programming/activation plans promptly for event promotion/marketing.
• Actively search for new ideas and improvements on existing programming through customer/market research and visiting other conventions/events.
• Manage the content management system used to house and maintain convention program.
• Work with the Convention Operation Manager to ensure all the logistics required to execute the new programming/activation ideas.
• Work with the Project Management Manager to ensure all the timelines required to execute the new programming/activation ideas.
• Monitor budgets.
• Be on-site and oversee the executions during the events.
• Support the Manager in creating reports after each event.

What you’ll bring 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant industry, such as events, entertainment or gaming industries.
• Bachelor's degree or a demonstrated equivalent level of applicable experience.
• Have attended Anime/Comic/Gaming conventions professionally and have a strong understanding of B2C and fan conventions.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of Pokémon brand and its fan base.
• Enthusiasm to increase fan satisfaction of events.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to understand Japanese is a plus (read, write and/or speak) but not a requirement.
• Be proficient in Microsoft tools. (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc.)
• Ability to work under pressure and challenging timelines.
• Ability to multitask (work on and plan for multiple events at the same time).
• Team player with ability to work with various groups across the organization.
• Ability to switch between a supporting role and leading role.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Creative and effective problem-solving skills.

How you’ll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities. 
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve. 
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals. 
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect 

• An employee first culture
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon
• Competitive cash-based compensation programs
• Base salary range: For this role, new hires generally start between $102,000 - $120,650. The full range is $102,000 - $152,000. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. Final base salary is directly related to each candidates' qualifications and professional experience uniquely.
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you
• Generous paid family leave
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance
• US Employees: 401k Employer Matching
• UK/IRE Employees: Pension Employer Contributions
• Fitness reimbursement
• Commuter benefit
• LinkedIn learning
• Comprehensive relocation package
• Hybrid work environment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.