Principal Creative Director, Merchandise & Product Curation - Entertainment, Consumer Products

At Riot, we work every day to make it better to be a player. But being a player doesn't stop at the end of a game anymore. As the gaming landscape continues to collide with entertainment, we're building a new team to bring Riot's IPs to players around the world in new ways, and invite new audiences into the fold. This team will imagine and develop custom IP experiences and products - animation, interactive narratives, consumer products, and beyond - that deepen players' and fans' connections to the universe we've created. In collaboration with teams across the organization, this team will aim to show players and the world that entertainment now starts with games.

Our mission in Consumer Products is to create real world touchpoints that allow our fans to live their love for our IPs. The business consists of licensing and manufacturing where we design, source and produce products sold directly to fans on our own integrated platform and in retail channels globally. Our licensing model allows us to collaborate with brands and partners who bring relevancy and brand credibility. We do this to drive fandom and make it better to be a player.

The Principal Creative Director, Merchandise & Product Curation, is the creative visionary across all lines of businesses within Consumer Products, ensuring that products, programs and experiences creatively align with Riot’s game, film & TV, music and esports initiatives. This leader is responsible for curating product assortments and collections including apparel, accessories, toys & collectibles, etc., ensuring we are delivering the best possible culturally relevant experiences to our players. They will work in partnership with the Product, Creative, Ecommerce, and Marketing teams on defining the overall product strategy and how to deliver the story to our players. This role will report to the Head of Global Consumer Products.

• Responsible for a holistic cross-category view of product categories including Apparel, Accessories, Toys & Collectibles, Game Peripherals, etc.
• In collaboration with Product, Creative, Ecommerce & Marketing teams, defines the medium to long-term consumer products strategy for Riot’s global product offering across all ways to serve including Riot Owned Ecommerce platform 
• Secures, nurtures and manages relationships with culturally relevant creative directors/agencies/designers (internal and external) for creative partnerships across our various product lines
• Develops a limited product launch strategy that can be utilized for major Riot-wide moments 
• Focuses on players to deliver curated, productive and connected product assortments and collections including a multi-seasoned approach to product mix
• Analyzes player needs and consumer trends and competitive market to create the right product mix and drive sales; ability to see beyond trends to deliver the right product to the right places at the right time and price.
• Applies deep rooted understanding of global & regional trends across music, games and pop culture to inform and guide product assortments
• Supports team on line planning process to identify what product we will bring to the player, bringing clarity to investment and identifying product risks and strategic opportunities 
• Works in partnership with Retail Development Lead on in-store and online merchandising programs and campaigns
• Works in partnership with Ecommerce and Marketing teams to optimize player journey, ensuring products are merchandised on the ecommerce store in a way that maximizes their visibility and sales

• 8+ years experience developing products & assortments with relevant experience in industries such as fashion, retail/ecommerce, consumer products, gaming/esports, and entertainment 
• Understands overall manufacturing processes
• Understands the cultural connection between product, IP, and fans
• Has the ability to identify fashion trends and can create the connection to League of Legends and VALORANT brands.
• Deep rooted understanding of trends across fashion, music, games and pop culture with a keen eye for design & brand aesthetic 
• Equally balanced leader with merchandising, creative and marketing vision 
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to craft a story and present it to executives and team members
• Understanding of how to maintain brand cohesiveness across multiple product lines

• Understanding of how to maintain brand cohesiveness across multiple product lines
• Understanding of how to maintain brand cohesiveness across multiple product lines

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and choices that focus on your fellow Rioters, who are the customers of your work. Being a dedicated fan of games is not necessary for this position!

Riot has a focus on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy, in addition to other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.