Title:

Product Manager

Location:

Sheffield

Salary:

GBP 18,000 to GBP 23,000 per year

Description:

Reporting to: Head of Product ManagementResponsible for:Managing the consumer and client facing aspect of ZOOs interactive DVD developmentMain duties and responsibilities:Manage licensed brands, ensuring appropriate implementation into I-DVD products whilst aiming to minimise compromisinginternal development schedules.Develop game proposals to maximise product opportunities.Build and maintain fruitful relationships with third party publishers and licensors.Research markets to enable expansion of rangeSalary: circa GBP 22,000About us:Zoo Digital Publishing is a fast growing publisher of interactive DVDs and computer games.The RoleSuccess in this role will be measured by your developing an understanding of ZOOs interactive DVD consumer products andthe subsequent and ongoing management of these titles. This includes the appropriate implementation of licensed brandsand an awareness of what is required to create compelling consumer products.You will work both internally and with third party publishers to ensure timely delivery of packaging and marketingmaterials, whilst at all times ensuring the approval process is adhered to so as to promote the licensed brand andrelationship with the brand owner.You will define product overviews, competitive position, target customer and target consumer for potential products and,once the product is commissioned, will work together with the Producer to define a product specification. You will thenbe responsible for ensuring this product specification is adhered to where appropriate, and that all deviations arepassed by all third parties and will be required to offer your recommendations and opinions regards how the products maybe improved in order to maximise the consumer experienceAt all times you will act to promote ZOO Digital Publishings reputation in the I-DVD sector. You will work with the Headof Product Management to forge a position with Publishers for Interactive I-DVD at retail.You will be responsible for seeing that the interests of third parties are fulfilled whilst ensuring that internalrequirements are met and products are completed and released in accordance to the schedule defined by the Producer. Youwill be required to work to third party deadlines and to negotiate the best all-round outcome.You may be required to assist in the development of marketing plans and activities that are appropriate to the productand consistent with its presentation within all promotional materials, commercial activity and events.You are expected to apply your knowledge and experience to maximise the benefit to the company. You will participate inthe product management effort in a tactful and inclusive way, provide best-practice documentation, demonstrate anattention to detail and you will at all times elevate the best interests of the company and its product line aboveindividual preferences or prejudices.In pursuit of your own duties, it is essential that you are prepared to travel, read, train and network as necessaryand make all reasonable efforts to keep appraised of the media landscape and the competitive markets that ZOO iscompeting within.By virtue of being closely tied with the commercial function of the business, the role is one that requires tenacity,multi-tasking and the ability to work in a dynamic and regularly pressured environment. You will need to be able toeffectively manage your workload and be prepared for the pressures that come with this diverse and exciting role.Duties You will be a key contributor to the companys output of interactive DVD consumer products, and instrumental in drivingthe value of the business through a portfolio of successful titles. You will play a key role in the product management by setting standards and expectations by which quality results willbe achieved. This will involve personally handling particular projects, as well as managing others, internally andexternally. Broadly your duties will fall into three main categories:- Product Management (e.g. Product Manifestation, Product Specification, brand implementation)- Product Marketing (e.g. packaging, advising on media campaigns, retail initiatives, events)- Relationship Management with external commercial partners (e.g. Universal Pictures, VCI)Typical activities may therefore include the following: You will be required to liase closely with other internal departments (production, marketing, sales) to ensure that allproduct deliverables (approval of in-game images, logos, brand guidelines) are delivered on time and include allcomponent parts. This will regularly involve dealing with third parties to ensure all assets are received and approved inaccordance with the designated time frame. Your excellent writing skills will be utilised to create text for proposals, packaging, sales sheets and businessdocuments which you deliver to the relevant internal and/or external department for inclusion in design, localisationetc, some of which may ultimately appear in the public domain. Occasionally, you will assist in managing external service providers (promotional, consulting, game designers etc)ensuring that the level of service and value received is consistent with the level delivered internally. At no time willexternal providers be allowed to take risks with the companys products, revenues or reputation, therefore yourmanagement methods, personal standards and clarity of remit must be clearly asserted and documented in advance. During the product life cycle you will be responsible for maintaining relationships in numerous territories withlicensors, sub-licensees and commercial partners ensuring that expectations are managed, approval processes are adheredto and that ZOOs reputation is enhanced throughout. You will be required to work closely with the internal product development team to ensure that the requirements of thebrand owner are adhered to and that the end-user experience is in keeping with market requirements. You will deliver sales information, product definitions and image assets for all titles that are timely, visuallypowerful and effective in communicating brand values and game-flow. The role may require the research and management of consumer, market and brand trends. You will be required to use yourknowledge to compile this research into clearly presented documents. This research may run concurrently with gamedesigns, in which case you will need to co-ordinate the two for the most effective outcome. You will adhere to a consistent method of scheduling and briefing creative work, as required. This will sometimesinvolve working with external designer with whom you must assure deliver work on time and to budget. Were images forproposals are required, you will need to brief and work with the artist to ensure that the game experience is representedin a clear manor You will use your best endeavours to maintain an appropriate level of market intelligence, whether by way of informalnetworking, magazine subscription or seminars to ensure you are always aware of the status of the markets within whichthe company operates. You will be encouraged to develop your role as a marketing specialist within the company, and extend your awareness oftrends, working practices and emerging products / media that will benefit the business. You will act as a conduit for information in relation to projects, products and company matters to and from the productmanagement team. You will attend regular milestone reviews and ensure that key tasks are completed and communicated, in atimely manner. You will be involved in additional duties generally appropriate to your role that may occur from time to time asrequired by the management team.