Program Manager, Product in London

Program Manager, Product in London

London Full-Time 59000 - 89000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The Pokémon Company International

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage exciting programs that enhance creativity and brand excellence at Pokémon.
  • Company: Join the iconic Pokémon Company, a leader in global entertainment.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive healthcare, and generous family leave.
  • Other info: Experience a dynamic work culture with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team shaping the future of the Pokémon brand.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years in program management and bilingual in Japanese and English.

The predicted salary is between 59000 - 89000 £ per year.

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.

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 £59,000 and £70,300.00 per year. The full range is £59,000 and £89,000.00 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.

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. The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team.

Program Manager, Product in London employer: The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture, where creativity and collaboration are at the forefront. Employees benefit from comprehensive healthcare coverage, generous paid family leave, and a commitment to professional growth through training and development opportunities. With a hybrid work environment and a focus on employee well-being, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to a beloved global brand while enjoying a supportive and dynamic workplace.

The Pokémon Company International

Contact Details:

The Pokémon Company International Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Program Manager, Product in London

Join Product Management Meetups

Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like The Pokémon Company International!

Show Off Your Product Sense

Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at The Pokémon Company International would be by your initiative!

Utilise Online Communities

Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.

Leverage Your University Network

If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at The Pokémon Company International through your school's career services!

We think you need these skills to ace Program Manager, Product in London

Bilingual Japanese & English
Program Management
Project Management
Knowledge Management
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Program Manager, Product, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!

Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!

Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.

Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Program Manager, Product position at The Pokémon Company International. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Pokémon Company International

Understand the Product Life Cycle

As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.

Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills

Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.

Prepare for Case Studies

In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.

Know Your Metrics

Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.