IP Franchise Product Planning & Development Specialist

This role leads product planning and development linked to franchise strategy for Sega-owned intellectual property. The work focuses on communicating the appeal of assigned IP through character goods, apparel and other merchandise, including digital products, while maximizing fan satisfaction and business profit. The position develops strategy and executes plans, manages a portfolio of medium- and short-term initiatives, and leads a team toward business results.

Responsibilities include creating product expansion strategies based on the franchise direction for assigned IP, designing measures to increase IP value, and planning products such as merchandise, apparel, general goods and digital offerings. For priority projects, the role directs planning and development and may also participate in practical work when necessary. It leads concept development, pricing, quality management and the overall product development process, including schedules, costs and quality.

The role also negotiates with manufacturing partners and builds those relationships, coordinates planning and execution with product sales departments such as e-commerce and retail, establishes KPIs, and monitors business progress.

Required qualifications include practical experience in product planning and development or IP business within the entertainment industry, including games, anime or character businesses. Applicants must have experience managing the full process from planning through commercialization, project management experience while advancing multiple projects in parallel, and the ability to coordinate and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders. The posting also requires fact-based analysis, understanding the essence of issues, making proposals independently and driving work forward, along with a continued focus on producing strong results in the applicant’s area of responsibility.

Preferred experience includes intermediate English for daily conversation and basic business email communication, directing large-scale merchandise events, expanding products in global markets, and launching new businesses or products.

The position is full-time. Depending on skills and experience, a contract employee offer may be made instead. The annual salary range is 9,000,000 to 12,000,000 JPY. The work location is Sumitomo Fudosan Osaki Garden Tower in Nishi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo.