Product Development Associate (Harry Potter)

Overview

The Blair Partnership is a literary and entertainment agency. We offer our clients a broad range of services including rights management, client representation and franchise management. As part of those services, we help to manage several companies on behalf of our client J.K. Rowling. Those companies are Pottermore and Bronte. These businesses benefit from shared resources and expertise provided by The Blair Partnership, but they are run by their own leaders.

The Blair Partnership’s business activity rests on three core pillars:

• Franchise Management – brand & franchise vision and strategy, creative strategy & direction, product development, brand management & comms for the Harry Potter franchise.
• Client Management - we represent a large and eclectic list of clients’ literary and entertainment rights portfolios and pursue commercial opportunities for them through deal making in the UK, US and internationally, partner management and backlist rights management.
• Governance & support - we provide governance, resources and support to companies owned by J.K. Rowling. As part of that support, we cultivate close collaboration & strong, cohesive working practices between all the businesses.

Our vision remains to shape, nurture and grow the most imaginative and engaging brands for generations to come, working with our clients. Our mission is to shape and connect stories to their audiences. The Blair Partnership is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace where all talent and potential is valued. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives and recognise the value that this adds to our business.

Overview of the Role

This role is focused on supporting the development of product and experience initiatives across the Harry Potter franchise. Through supporting the Product Development team and working with key internal and external partners, you will participate in best-in-class product launches, faithfully representing J.K. Rowling and her work, reflecting the Harry Potter brand values, and protecting the longevity, integrity, and legacy of the franchise for generations to come.

Responsibilities

• Working on projects across multiple product categories and partners – this role will have a particular focus on, but not limited to, consumer products and licensed publishing.
• Support the Product Development Managers across content, product, experiences and initiatives.
• Managing a portfolio of product development initiatives with effective project management skills and a proactive approach.
• Collaborate with partners, helping to manage and develop licensed product ranges that expand the brand’s reach.
• Providing creative input, ensuring products remain faithful to the Harry Potter canon, values, and brand guidelines in all aspects of creative development, driving quality and innovation in everything we do.
• Develop strong relationships with external and internal stakeholders to build effective ways of working, supporting efficient creative development and review process.
• Attend creative development meetings with licensees and partners.
• Ensuring all written materials are accurate to canon, consistent, and reflect our brand guidelines.
• Support product approval process, from concept to production, using partners' online product approval systems.
• Identify new opportunities for the Harry Potter franchise by proactively reviewing market trends and carrying out market analysis.
• Contribute to ideation meetings by bringing overviews and concepts to the team for potential further development.
• Update general administration processes, presentations and communication for the Product Development Team as required.
• Manage product samples and sample archive.

What We Are Looking For

• A proven track record in a previous product development role with awareness of brand guardianship.
• Experience in product licensing and/or the entertainment industries would be advantageous.
• Ability to work autonomously across multiple projects and remain agile.
• Prioritising projects in a rapidly changing work environment, while simultaneously delivering against tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, creative, and innovative.
• Strong team-working skills and the ability to maintain good working relationships with internal and external teams.
• Genuine passion for the Harry Potter stories and developing best-in-class product development.
• Demonstrate an interest in Collectables, Board Games and Trading Cards.
• Experience developing Board Games and Trading Cards is not essential, but would be advantageous.

It is expected that roles and responsibilities will evolve over time as the individual grows within the business.

What You Can Expect From Us

• Competitive Salary
• Company Bonus Scheme
• Hybrid working policy
• 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) – with an additional day awarded every year after your 2-year anniversary with us, up to a cap of 30 days.
• Progressive and inclusive policies around Carers, IVF, Menopause, Pregnancy Loss, etc.
• Enhanced maternity leave (18 weeks at full pay) and paternity leave (2 weeks immediately after birth, and 10 additional days over the following 12 months, at full pay)
• Group Pension Plan where we contribute 5% and annual pensions workshops
• Life Assurance of 4 times salary
• Health Insurance (currently with Vitality)
• Health Shield Cashback Plan – dental, optical, physio and wellbeing benefits and much more.
• Annual Creative Bursary to spend on the creative activity of your choice.
• 2 paid days off per year to spend volunteering and giving back to your favourite cause or community project.
• Monthly Lunch & Learn events – hearing great stories from colleagues, clients and external speakers
• Regular fundraising events to raise money for our charity of the year. 2025/26’s charity is 4Louis.
• Seasonal company parties and team lunches
• Subsidised on-site massages
• Learning and Development opportunities, including an in-house Mentoring Programme