Managing Editor

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About the role...

Were looking for a Managing Editor Character IP to lead Duolingos manga and anime expansion in Japan. This isnt a role for someone who manages timelines and coordinates vendors from a distance. Youll get into the weeds developing Duos Japanese character voice writing plots when needed identifying the right manga artists and building the studio and TV network relationships that turn a great concept into something millions of people actually watch. Our roadmap goes manga first then anime with a TV morning show slot (think Chiikawa) as the target format for animation. This role reports into the Director of Design Studio Brand team with a dotted line to the Director of Country Marketing Japan and Korea team.

You will...

• Set and uphold Duolingos high quality bar across all creative projects in this pipeline
• Partner with Design Studio Creative Directors to define Duos Japanese character profile tone of voice personality details backstory while staying true to his globally established character bible
• Write your own plots and lead original story development when needed
• Scout and brief manga artists and illustrators who match the look and feel were going for
• Build and manage relationships with publishers and editors to get manga projects off the ground
• Select and manage anime production studios handling contracts budgets schedules and quality
• Pitch to and build relationships with TV networks with the goal of securing a morning show slot
• Set visual quality standards appropriate to each format and platform (TV streaming short-form)
• Keep global and local stakeholders aligned and get buy-in at the right moments

You have...

• Hands-on manga editing / directing experience at a publisher editorial production company or IP firm
• Proven ability to develop original stories youve written plots yourself not just managed others who do
• Sharp editorial / directorial instincts for capturing a characters voice and making it feel alive on the page
• Real relationships with publishers manga artists and writers and a track record of getting projects made
• Working knowledge of anime production: studio contracts budgets and how to get quality work at a fair value
• Existing connections with major TV networks and experience pitching concepts for broadcast slots
• Exceptional collaboration skills seeking consensus and feedback when making decisions
• Business-level English needed for collaborating with our global team strong written English vs. spoken fluency

Exceptional candidates will have...

• Experience taking a manga property all the way through to anime adaptation
• Familiarity with social-native formats (vertical short-form platform-specific)
• Background in brand licensing merchandise or IP business development
• Experience with inbound or outbound IP localization (foreign IP in Japan or Japanese IP abroad)

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Accommodations: We will do everything we can within reason to make sure that your interview takes place in an environment that fairly and accurately assesses your skills. If you need assistance or accommodation please contact .

Equal Employment Opportunity: Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race religion color national origin gender (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender identity gender expression age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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