VP, Product, Retail

Storytelling is, and will always be, the heart of what we do at Skydance.

Our vision is to build a thriving entertainment ecosystem where stories and worlds are imagined, brought to life and experienced. We create for every age and audience, anchored by the strength of our content and experiences and the depth of our connection with fans. We are creator-first, audience-focused, tech-forward, globally scaled.

Here, you’ll work with talented teams that move fast, think boldly and collaborate with purpose to deliver results. We aim high, champion the best ideas and win together, earning the trust of our employees, creators, partners and audiences every day.

If you’re energized by the opportunity to help build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology, we’d be thrilled to welcome you aboard. LET’S GO!

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Your Role Accountabilities

Buying & Merchandising

• Lead development of strategies for buying, merchandising and assortment across standalone retail, ecommerce and exit retail for tours, exhibitions and attractions aligned to overall retail strategy.

• Craft and direct bespoke product strategies by channel; recognizing distinct guest mindsets, dwell times, price sensitivity and conversion dynamics.

• Define frameworks for exclusive, limited-edition and venue specific product creation that drive differentiation, urgency, collectability and attachment.  

• Partner closely with Design to commission and deliver custom‑built product ranges unique to Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences. 

• Establish global assortment architectures while enabling geo-specific ranges reflecting local consumer behavior, culture, pricing architecture, size curves, IP relevance and regulatory needs.

• Lead merchandise planning, demand forecasting, open-to-buy and SKU productivity across permanent locations and timebound touring experiences.

• Drive revenue, margin, sell-through and inventory efficiency using performance analytics, guest insight and postexperience data.

Design & Product Development

• Oversee global design and product development teams to translate franchise storytelling into high‑quality, immersive and commercially viable product ranges.

• Ensure creative excellence while balancing speed‑to‑market, cost discipline, quality and scalability across global markets.

Product Compliance & Quality

• Define policies and processes to manage global product compliance, safety, testing and ethical sourcing standards.

• Partner closely with Legal, EHS, Supply Chain, and third‑party testing bodies to mitigate risk, ensure market readiness and protect brand integrity across all territories.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build, inspire, and lead high-performing teams across Buying, Merchandising, Design, and Compliance. Including Direct Reports at Director and Senior Director level.

• Partner closely with Franchise, Licensing, Marketing, Retail Operations, and external licensees, fostering a culture that balances creative ambition with commercial and operational rigor.

• Collaborate across the Retail leadership team, ensuring close connection and understanding of Retail Operations, Retail.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Extensive, senior leadership experience in global retail product, buying, or merchandising, including major High Street, multi-sited operations. 

• Proven executive oversight of Buying, Merchandising, Design and Product Compliance at scale.

• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving profitable, IP‑led retail businesses.

• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams across North America, EMEA & APAC.

• Deep understanding of global product safety, testing, regulatory standards and quality assurance.

Strongly Preferred

• Experience within entertainment, media, themed attractions, or licensed consumer products.

• Familiarity with owned retail, licensed, JV & third‑party operating models.

• Experience aligning product strategies to content calendars, franchise launches, and major brand moments.

• Demonstrated leadership in sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic, commercially driven and decisive.

• Deep respect for creative storytelling, brand integrity and guest experience.

• Comfortable operating in complex, matrixed global organizations.

• Collaborative, influential, and confident at executive and board level.

• Passionate about fan engagement and immersive branded experiences.

Measures of Success

• Sustained growth in retail revenue, margin and inventory efficiency.

• High guest satisfaction, conversion and product attachment rates across experiences.

• Strong global compliance outcomes with minimal product risk exposure.

• Creative excellence and franchise alignment across all product ranges.

• A scalable, resilient global product organization with strong succession planning

About Skydance

Skydance is a next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Skydance's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, Food Network, BET, HGTV, and Comedy Central.

Some Important Details

We embrace the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit. In line with the laws of the country or region in which the role is based, this includes consideration without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religion or belief, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, union status or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Hiring Salary Range: $112,000.00 - $208,000.00 per year In compliance with local law, we are disclosing compensation, or a range thereof, for roles where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, external market data, internal equity, skill set, experience, training, education, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of our total compensation package. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

If you’re a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.