Get to know The Pokémon Company International. The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and 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.
About the Role: We’re looking for a bilingual, growth-minded professional with a passion for brand, creativity, and operational excellence to join the CPEO (Chief Product & Experience Officer) Office as a Program Manager, Product & Brand. The CPEO Office partners with the Chief Product & Experience Officer to strengthen organizational capabilities that empower the Product & Experience Organization to unleash quality, creativity, and integrity at scale. In this role, you’ll build and optimize programs and tools centered around brand and product creation that spark creativity across the Product & Experience Organization. In addition, you’ll manage organizational cadences, research market opportunities, support other projects/tasks under CPEO, and collaborate with stakeholders across the U.S., Europe, and Japan to ensure alignment and impact.
What you’ll do:
- Partner with departments in the Product & Experience Organization - such as Brand Review, Marketing, Licensing, and Events - to capture and document transferable expertise and know-how in scalable frameworks (e.g., brand and product playbooks and guides) that empower teams to innovate without reinventing the wheel.
- Collaborate with CPEO and the Director of CPEO Office to design and develop training content that deepens foundational expertise in the Pokémon brand, products, and businesses, enabling authentic and compelling brand representation across the organization.
- Organize and manage joint learning opportunities involving group companies in Japan and Asia to share knowledge, build relationships, and foster global understanding and collaboration.
- Provide program support for incubation-stage initiatives as needed.
- Offer flexible support to CPEO on priority initiatives and ad-hoc tasks, such as researching emerging opportunities and creating presentation materials, to ensure organizational objectives are met.
- Travel occasionally to the Seattle office to collaborate with key stakeholder teams and support on-site programs.
What you’ll bring:
- 4+ years of experience in program/project management, knowledge management in a rapidly evolving organization, or equivalent roles within multinational or culturally diverse environment.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or a demonstrated equivalent level of applicable experience.
- Near-native/fluent level of verbal and written communication skills in English and minimum business-proficiency level in Japanese, with ability to create clear, compelling presentations and documentation.
- Working knowledge of creating, launching and iterating new programs and tools for an organization, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Proven ability to design and launch organization-wide programs from scratch in dynamic environments.
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills to manage multiple tasks and deliver high-quality outcomes, with keen attention to detail.
- Ability to manage senior leadership-level communications and stakeholder relationships.
- High learning agility and willingness to grow while contributing to the long-term success of the brand.
- Experience in marketing, product management, brand storytelling or similar roles preferred; exposure to entertainment, media, or global brand-driven industries is a plus.
Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between £54,157.00 - £72,057.00 per year. The full range is £54,157.00 - £97,543.00 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely.
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 innovative culture driven by impact, delivering meaningful outcomes.
- Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
- Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
- 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/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
- Fitness reimbursement.
- Commuter benefit.
- LinkedIn learning.
- Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
- 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.
Program Manager, Product & Brand (Bilingual Japanese & English) in London employer: Pardon Our Interruption
The Pokémon Company International is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture, where creativity and passion for the Pokémon brand are at the forefront. Employees benefit from comprehensive healthcare coverage, generous paid family leave, and a hybrid work environment that promotes work-life balance. With a strong emphasis on professional growth and collaboration across global teams, this role offers unique opportunities to contribute to a beloved brand while developing valuable skills in a dynamic, multicultural setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Program Manager, Product & Brand (Bilingual Japanese & English) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at The Pokémon Company International on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Pokémon's brand and products. Show your passion and knowledge during the conversation – it’ll definitely impress the hiring team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your bilingual skills! Since this role requires Japanese and English, brush up on your language skills and be ready to showcase them in the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Pokémon family!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pokémon:Make sure to express your love for the Pokémon brand in your application. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission and how you can contribute to the Pokémon experience.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! We recommend customising your application to highlight relevant experiences that match the role. Show us how your skills in program management and creativity can shine in this position.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts well. We appreciate a well-organised presentation of your ideas, especially since you'll be creating compelling documentation in this role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pardon Our Interruption
✨Know Your Pokémon
Before the interview, dive deep into the Pokémon brand. Familiarise yourself with its history, values, and current projects. This will not only show your passion but also help you connect your experiences to the role.
✨Showcase Your Bilingual Skills
Since this role requires bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English, prepare to demonstrate your language skills. Practice common interview questions in both languages and be ready to switch between them seamlessly.
✨Highlight Your Project Management Experience
Be ready to discuss specific examples of your project management experience. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on how you've successfully launched programs or tools in dynamic environments.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Relationship Building
This role involves working with various stakeholders across different regions. Share examples of how you've built relationships and collaborated effectively in previous roles, showcasing your ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
