Sales & Distribution Manager

Majid Al Futtaim invites you to join us in our quest to create great moments
for everyone, everyday! We are the leading shopping mall, residential
communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and
Asia, serving over ‎560 million visitors a year. For the past two decades, we
have shaped the consumer landscape across the region, transforming the way
people shop, live and play, while maintaining a strong sustainability track
record and the largest mall in the world to attain LEED Gold EBOM
Certification. We have over ‎40,000 team members in ‎15 international markets
representing over ‎100 nationalities - all keeping the customer at the heart of
everything we do. If you enjoy being BOLD, PASSIONATE and TOGETHER, then Majid
Al Futtaim is the destination for you.
Role Purpose:
* Reporting into the Head of Sales & Distribution, the Sales & Distribution Manager, Egypt, will oversee film distribution and performance, and some marketing support, for the MAF Studio Distribution team in Egypt.
* Based in Cairo, the Sales & Distribution Manager will liaise with the Studio on local trends and opportunities, and work with the Head Office in Dubai to set appropriate film performance targets based on historic data and customer insights.
* This role will be expected to develop a data-driven strategy to ensure our film bookings and in-cinema exposure are optimized across all exhibitors, beyond competitive benchmarks, in order to maximize the revenue potential of each film. To this end, they will be the main local point of contact for all exhibitors in the territory, and managing these relationships well is essential.
* The individual will also be required to work closely with the Head Office team in Dubai to plan distribution requirements for each film's release, including censorship, distribution schedules, versions/formats (3D, IMAX etc.) and budgets.
* The Sales & Distribution Manager, Egypt, supported by the Logistics and Distribution Exec, will also be responsible for ensuring all film-related shipments into Cairo are cleared in a timely manner for re-distribution internally across Egypt. And this role will be a key liaison with the government bodies in Egypt, responsible for film registration and censorship.
* The Sales & Distribution Manager will also be able to manage screenings, premieres and on-ground activations for the marketing team in Egypt, as opportunities are identified.

Role Details - Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Sales:
* Communicate trends, opportunities, challenges and film performance to the US Studio
* Support the Head of Sales & Distribution with a variety of Sales-related activity including: Negotiate film bookings, set performance targets and budgets, i.e. ,opening weekend box office, full-run forecasts etc., contribute to the dating/release strategy, film performance tracking, analysis, and weekly reporting.
* Identify and develop excellent working relationships with all Exhibitors to ensure optimal treatment of our films in Egypt, identifying new ways to collaborate to optimize revenue for all parties.
* Build a relationship-development strategy for priority Exhibitors in the market.
* Stay on top of local market trends and provide analysis and feedback to drive local release strategies.
* Work closely with the marketing team to identify the optimal quantity and type of in-cinema advertising materials and ensure the broadest and most effective placement of materials in cinemas (trailers, posters, custom installations etc.) and on exhibitors' digital channels.
* Review the existing trade marketing processes in the markets and identify any new trends, developments, and opportunities for improved exposure.
Distribution:
* Manage film registration and censorship in Egypt, feeding back any censor edit requirements to Head Office.
* Liaise with the Technical Manager to set technical and distribution budgets for each film, and then order and schedule the distribution of films in the relevant formats (2D, 3D, IMAX etc.) to cinemas.
* Responsible for ensuring all film-related shipments into Cairo are cleared in a timely manner for re-distribution internally across Egypt.
* Supported by the Logistics and Distribution Exec, ensure that all materials are delivered ahead of schedule and within budget.
* Maintain a ‎360˚, watertight approach to content security at all times.
Ad Hoc:
* Review Arabic trailer and feature subtitles and dubbing scripts, as needed.

Other Context (if applicable):
* Positive, pro-active individual with a strong work ethic, and a focus on identifying solutions.
* Team player, who can work independently, but recognizes the importance of building and supporting a team mentality.
* Travel - the role will be required to regularly visit the Head Office in Dubai with the rest of the team, as well as other parts of the Middle East, as needed.

Functional/Technical Competencies:
* Fluency in both English and Arabic (written and verbal) is essential.
* Experience in the cinema industry highly preferable, or at the minimum a related business, such as media and entertainment.
* Experience of operating in a regionally controlled structure, where developing strong relationships with other managers is essential.
* Experience of liaising with third party agencies, Government agencies and media preferred.
* Strong IT literacy (especially excel).

Personal Characteristics and Required Background:
Personal characteristics:
* Excellent people and relationship management skills.
* The ability to build strong collaborative working relationships in often challenging circumstances is a prerequisite skill for this role.
* Excellent communicator, with a level of gravitas that will facilitate good conflict resolution and problem solving.
* A 'hands on' team player not afraid to take on and execute a variety of different tasks as needed.
* Someone who enjoys working under pressure and can multitask in a time-sensitive environment.
* Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
* Flexibility to work outside of office hours when required, especially due to time differences.
Minimum experience:
* At least ‎8-‎10 years of experience (preferably in the Film/TV/Media industry) in an operations, sales or marketing role. Ideally already at a managerial level or similar experience.
Minimum Qualifications/education:
* Degree holder or equivalent higher education.