Moonbug

Story Development & Editorial Manager (Licensed IP)

Moonbug$80K — $120K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Proven expertise in managing and creating narratives for major global entertainment franchises.
  • Extensive structural editing experience across multiple formats including children's books and game dialogue.
  • Experience crafting stories suitable for diverse markets, particularly in the US and UK.
  • Demonstrated ability to write for both physical products and digital platforms.
  • Exceptional skills in stakeholder communication, particularly with C-suite executives and creative teams.

Responsibilities

  • Act as the primary editorial leader driving storytelling excellence across diverse business sectors.
  • Oversee development and approval of narrative content for global publishing initiatives.
  • Shape and direct narrative content for audio productions including podcasts and audiobooks.
  • Integrate storytelling into consumer products across various categories and brands.
  • Ensure consistency and quality of character development in collaboration with creative teams.
  • Collaborate with gaming teams to develop engaging dialogue and lore for interactive experiences.
  • Drive innovative storytelling strategies to expand franchise narratives across new formats.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a dynamic and creative environment at an innovative entertainment company.
  • Collaborative work culture with cross-functional teams.
  • Contributions to meaningful projects that engage families worldwide.
  • Potential for professional growth in a rapidly evolving sector.
  • Access to exclusive products and experiences developed by the company.
Full Job Description
This role reports onsite in our New York office. The Role: At Moonbug, we don't just extend stories, we invent new ways for families to experience them. We're looking for a creative leader who is excited to challenge convention, experiment with new formats, and bring bold new ideas that push our franchises beyond the expected and into entirely new experiences for families. Sitting within the Franchise division, with key responsibilities across Consumer Products & Experiences (CP&E) Publishing division, you will serve as the core consultative and editorial bridge across the entire business. You will ensure that every book, game script, podcast, product description, and character bible speaks with an authentic, unified, and compelling voice across all IPs, tailored to the audiences. This is a high-impact role requiring an expert storyteller who can effortlessly transition from high-level franchise strategy and narrative content development to granular manuscript editing. Key Responsibilities: Cross-Departmental Narrative Stewardship Act as the central editorial powerhouse, driving storytelling excellence across six key business pillars: - Publishing: Driving the publishing business will be the primary focus of this role. You will oversee the global fiction, non-fiction, and comic/graphic novel narrative content development. Originate narrative stories, write manuscripts, ensure lore accuracy, and approve final print text. - Audio (Books & Podcasts): Shape the audio-first narrative landscape. Provide editorial direction on podcast scripting, audio drama narratives, and audiobook development and adaptation. - Books: Work with existing licensees to guide audiobook development where necessary. Originate audiobook stories aligned with print stories developed in house. - Podcasts: Work with the Audio team to influence storytelling and narrative in the Moonbug podcast catalogue. - Wider Consumer Products: Partner with toy, apparel, and lifestyle teams to weave narrative into physical products where relevant. - Brand (Character Bibles): You will partner with the existing creative team to ensure consistency across Character Bibles and into all narrative content. Support and guide the creative team to develop the most comprehensive versions of the Character Bibles for internal teams and external licensees to use. - Studio & Production: Work cross-functionally with the Studio & Production teams to share narrative content which can be used across Publishing and Studio. Influence stories used in content to creative a cohesive IP ecosystem - Gaming: Collaborate on world-building, dialogue trees, game lore, and in-game text. Global Franchise Strategy - Scale stories across multiple categories seamlessly, ensuring a unified "canonical" universe while respecting the unique formatting needs of different media. - Review and approve narrative copy from external global partners and licensees to protect brand integrity on a massive scale. - Champion bold, original storytelling ideas and identify opportunities to expand Moonbug franchises into new formats, platforms, and consumer experiences. - Act as a creative catalyst across the organization, proactively bringing forward innovative concepts that strengthen our brands and unlock new opportunities for publishing, products, gaming, audio, and beyond. - Think beyond traditional publishing models, helping Moonbug pioneer next-generation approaches to franchise storytelling and audience engagement. Requirements Skills & Experience Required: - Licensed IP Mastery: Proven track record of managing, writing, or editing for major, top-tier global entertainment franchises and licensed properties. You understand how to play within established lore boundaries while innovating. - Experienced Editor: Extensive experience structural editing and copyediting across diverse formats-spanning story and chapter books, comic books, interactive game dialogue, and script writing. Preferably experienced in developing stories for children aged 0-7. - Global Experience: Creating story for different markets - focus markets are US and UK. - Cross-Category Fluent: A portfolio demonstrating your ability to write and judge copy for both physical products (Publishing/Consumer Products) and digital experiences (Gaming/Audio). - Senior Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills. You are comfortable pushing back on external partners or defending narrative decisions to C-suite executives and creative directors. - Commercial Acumen: An understanding of how narrative drives consumer behavior, product sales, and global brand loyalty. - Additional Languages: preferred - Global Operations: Coordinate seamlessly across multiple international time zones (particularly UK and US - NY & LA)

About Moonbug

Moonbug is a media company that produces children's content for digital platforms. The company was founded in 2018 by René Rechtman and John Robson and is headquartered in London, England. Moonbug's mission is to create high-quality, educational content that entertains and inspires children around the world. The company's portfolio includes popular brands such as Little Baby Bum, My Magic Pet Morphle, and Supa Strikas.
Learn more about Moonbug
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2018

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