Account Director - License /MX

Get to Know the Role:

The Account Director is the primary commercial leader between AEO, Inc. and its License, Wholesale, and JV business partners. The role is accountable for overall business performance across the assigned territories. The role is also responsible for developing scaled lanes of growth and profitability across multiple AEO brands and channels. This person will ensure that robust strategic and tactical business plans are in place and that various enablers from AEO are supporting these plans to deliver on our collective growth and profitability ambitions.
This individual will be instrumental in synchronizing cross-functional goals across AEO and the Licensee teams, and significantly increase speed to market in decision-making and execution.

What You’ll Do:

• Drives the strategic planning and execution agenda for AEO within the assigned territories, resulting in robust multi-channel business plans. Collaborates with Licensee and JV leadership teams to ensure resources and capabilities are in place to deliver business plan objectives.
• Leads the development of the Annual Forecast and LRP (long-range plan) in collaboration with the cross-functional team, including key partnerships with Strategy and Finance.
• Manages and develops a team of Account Managers to support operational and strategic goals.
• Acts as the primary liaison to AEO cross-functional teams, orchestrating both long-term strategic action plans and day-to-day operational support to ensure sustainable business growth and Licensee success.
• Maintains a deep understanding of the Licensee’s business operations, across all channels, as well as short/medium/long-term business plans, to support the Licensee’s success and ability to generate profits and cash flow.
• Diagnoses barriers that affect performance and assists with developing business plans to maximize improvement (growth across channels, operations, marketing, real estate, etc.)
• Actively participates in AEO’s go-to-market T&A, ensuring that seasonal OTB decisions are congruent with business plans and seasonal strategies.
• Enhances AEO's value as a host brand by assimilating business insights, advice, best practices, and thought partnership.
• Enable long-term planning by supporting the implementation of new development, digital site/marketplace development, wholesale account development, and other emerging channel opportunities.
• Vigilant and thorough understanding of local markets, trends, competition, nuances, threats, and opportunities. Communicates this information to all relevant parties and formulates a proposed plan of action or response as necessary.
• Ensures Licensee compliance with all Standard Operating Procedures (Operations Manual) and develops corrective action plans, milestones, and timetables where appropriate.
• As needed, drives contract negotiations, inclusive of renewals, amendments, terms and conditions pivots, rights and privileges, and business goals.
• Day-to-day, this individual will actively engage in AEO and Licensee weekly meetings, market travel, market research, and cross-functional meetings where appropriate; build deep knowledge of the region, markets, consumer needs/preferences/perceptions; and serve as a champion for on-the-ground knowledge of Licensee business/operating dynamics.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years of experience in International, managing strategic partnerships across multi-store/multi-channel/specialty retail brands; international product/brand experience is required, with working outside of the United States a strong plus.
• Proven commercial track record of driving accelerated growth for host brand/Licensee teams
• Experience working with franchised, licensed, or JV partners across international markets
• Strong verbal/written communication and persuasion skills; ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Strong business acumen; demonstrated ability to immediately identify areas of the business that need attention
• Proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams
• Strong instincts and passion for customer and brand experience; innovative and willing to take calculated risks
• Experience working in matrixed organizational structures is a plus
• Ability to travel internationally, frequently, and often with short notice
• Ability to work outside of standard U.S. business hours is required

Perks: Why You’ll Love it Here

• Generous Associate Discount: Treat yourself to the best our brands offer!
• Summer Fridays (For Pittsburgh, NYC and Remote Corporate Associates): More time for the sun and the weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Casual Dress Code: Come as you are (and stay comfy).
• Hybrid Schedule: Enjoy a blend of home-office focus and in-office collaboration.
• In-Person Connection: While we love our digital tools, we love our people even more! To keep our culture thriving, in-person presence is required at one of our Pittsburgh or NYC headquarters, distribution centers or field locations for interviews, orientation and periodic quarterly meetups.
• In-Office Events: Exciting company-wide events you won’t want to miss!