Project Manager at Cottage Door Press LLC – Rolling Meadows, Illinois

We’re looking for a detail-oriented and collaborative Project Manager to lead the successful rollout of the Cottage Door Kids ELA line and the development of the Luna StoryTime product line. You’ll sit at the center of our fast-moving team—aligning creative, licensing, operations, and manufacturing—to ensure every launch runs on time, on budget, and on brand. This is a hands-on role where you’ll coordinate product assets, packaging, approvals, and production workflows to help make storytime fun, interactive, and bright for families everywhere.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage project timelines from concept to market launch for projector sets, character add-ons, bundles and other ELA products
• Use ClickUp and other project management tools to provide an overview of projects and track progress as well as communicate regular updates to all teams involved, including filing systems and routing procedures
• Devise schedules with key lead times for licensing groups and lead recurring check-ins to stay on track
• Create and manage project timelines and keep cross-functional teams on task to deliver products in the appropriate time
• Helps prioritize each team member’s workload
• Work closely with creative, ops and manufacturing on item set up, pricing, prototypes and launch timing
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to resolve conflicts in design, firmware, and file delivery
• Initiates, executes and organizes all contractual agreements with outside contributors, artists, and production teams.
• Act as the main contact between creative/development/manufacturing/operations team and key licensing partners for communication and approvals on all content.
• Acts as liaison between licensor, character designer and manufacturer for development of 3D models, in all of their stages
• Acts as liaison between manufacturer, licensor, and internal team for all packaging.
• Initiates all internal development of packaging and is responsible for providing information related to item set-upWorks closely with HK team - meets nights on a weekly basis to iron out conflicts with designs, firmware, and files
• Communicates and coordinates with new potential candidates for voice talent, writing up contracts, agreements, and designing timelines
• Conducts project post-mortems to evaluate costs, timelines and performance; synthesize findings into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership to improve workflows and business infrastructure (CRM systems, development tools, and team allocation).

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of experience in project management (esp. of new and emerging product and product lines)
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with proven ability to manage complex workflows
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to serve as a bridge between creative, operational, and licensing teams
• Familiarity with licensing processes, contracts, and product safety/packaging requirements preferred
• Proficiency with project management tools and systems
• Detail-oriented and proactive problem solver
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines
• Skilled at building collaborative relationships across diverse teams
• Strong negotiation and coordination skills
• Enthusiasm for bringing products to market and supporting successful launches