📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Content Specialist
🔹 Company: VIZ Media
🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (1 day per week on-site)
🔹 Category: Entertainment Providers
🔹 Date Posted: May 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (1 day per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Facilitating animation content acquisitions and product lifecycle management
- Communicating with major partners in Japan, including Licensors and co-production committee members
- Negotiating deal terms and obtaining approvals
- Creating reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the Japanese anime industry and licensing business, as well as proficiency in both Japanese and English.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Research and identify new anime titles for acquisition and manga titles for adaptation
✅ Negotiate deal terms with content owners/partners for licensing and renewals
✅ Work closely with the legal department to accurately reflect deal terms in master licensing agreements
✅ Support the onboarding process of newly acquired titles and maintain internal trackers related to content acquisition and deal approvals
✅ Obtain Licensor approvals and other permissions required for sublicensing deals and special projects
✅ Review royalty reports to ensure accurate reflection of deal terms
✅ Create reports and presentations as needed, and attend co-production/acquisition related meetings with Japanese partners
✅ Act as the point of contact for partner needs
ASSUMPTION: This role involves complex deal information and requires strong attention to detail and time management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent experience
Experience: 1-3 years of experience in the entertainment/media industry, with prior anime industry experience preferred
Required Skills:
- Business-level spoken and written fluency in Japanese and English
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- High attention to detail
- Ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects simultaneously
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a Japanese or Japanese-adjacent corporate environment
ASSUMPTION: Given the specific nature of this role, candidates with a strong background in the Japanese anime industry and licensing business are highly preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000 annually, depending on experience, with additional variable compensation
Benefits:
- Partially subsidized Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
- 401(k) savings plan – including employer matching
- Flexible Spending – health and dependent care
- Commuter stipend for in-office work
- Life Insurance/AD&D/STD/LTD
- Legal & ID Theft insurance
- Group Pet insurance rates
- Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time - plus your birthday is a holiday!
- Philanthropy program, including paid time off for volunteer work
- Wellness program, including fitness membership discounts and reimbursement
- Full time casual dress
- Flexible work hours
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with core hours of 10 am to 4 pm and some flexibility outside of core hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Entertainment Providers, specifically focused on anime and manga
Company Size: 51-200 employees, which offers a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration
Founded: 1986, with a rich history in the anime and manga industry
Company Description:
- VIZ Media is the world leader in English-language versions of manga and anime
- Offers a wide range of critically acclaimed manga, graphic novels, and books
- Provides premier catalog of anime titles through TV, streaming, and digital download, as well as collectible Blu-ray and DVD sets
Company Specialties:
- Anime
- Manga
- Entertainment Licensing
- Digital Media
Company Website: www.viz.com
ASSUMPTION: VIZ Media is a well-established company in the anime and manga industry, with a strong reputation for quality content and innovative storytelling.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director, Content and works closely with various internal teams and external partners
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with employees expected to work on-site at the downtown San Francisco office 1 day per week
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career advancement within the company
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with industry professionals
- Chance to develop expertise in the anime and manga industry and licensing business
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in the anime and manga industry and work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Downtown San Francisco office, with a hybrid work arrangement
Office Location(s): 1355 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94103, US
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving entertainment industry
- The downtown office location offers easy access to public transportation and various amenities
- The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility and a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with core hours of 10 am to 4 pm and some flexibility outside of core hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work, allowing employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Director, Content
Key Assessment Areas:
- Language proficiency in Japanese and English
- Industry knowledge and experience
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant industry experience and language proficiency in your resume and cover letter
- Tailor your application materials to demonstrate your understanding of the anime and manga industry and licensing business
- Prepare for interview questions that focus on your industry knowledge, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities
ATS Keywords: Anime, Manga, Licensing, Japanese Language, English Language, Communication Skills, Negotiation Skills, Research Skills, Attention to Detail, Time Management, Microsoft Office, Google Suite
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's language proficiency, industry knowledge, and communication skills, as well as their ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Suite (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the company's internal systems and processes.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for anime and manga
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and creativity
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Flexibility and adaptability
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a deep passion for anime and manga, and a strong understanding of the industry?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders?
- Do you have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse clients, providers, and staff?
ASSUMPTION: VIZ Media values candidates who are passionate about anime and manga, collaborative, and adaptable to a fast-paced work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Dealing with complex deal information and maintaining attention to detail
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines
- Working with culturally diverse clients, providers, and staff
- Navigating a hybrid work arrangement and balancing on-site collaboration with remote work
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges related to complex deal information, project management, and cultural diversity, which require strong attention to detail, time management, and communication skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on anime and manga content acquisition and licensing, rather than production or distribution
- Industry-specific context: The anime and manga industry is unique, with its own set of regulations, cultural norms, and business practices
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for growth and advancement within the company, with potential career paths in content acquisition, licensing, or management
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on anime and manga content acquisition and licensing, and offers a distinct career path within the entertainment industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Negotiating a licensing deal for a new anime title with a Japanese Licensor
- Creating a comprehensive report on the anime market trends and identifying potential acquisition targets
- Managing the onboarding process for a newly acquired anime title, including communication with internal teams and the Licensor
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for this role may involve complex deal negotiations, market research, and project management, requiring strong attention to detail, communication skills, and industry knowledge.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does this role fit into the company's long-term goals and growth plans?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees working in a hybrid arrangement?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: Interview questions should focus on understanding the role's challenges, growth opportunities, work-life balance, and the company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant industry experience and language proficiency
- Prepare for interview questions that focus on your industry knowledge, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your understanding of the anime and manga industry and licensing business
- Follow up with the hiring manager within 24 hours after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
