Director, Merchandise Strategy

About the Position

Golden State is looking for a Director to define and execute the strategic vision that connects our brands to retail revenue opportunities. In this role you will be accountable for building a cohesive merchandise roadmap that translates brand positioning, fan insights, and business objectives into compelling product collections, partnerships, and growth-driving initiatives. This role requires both creative vision to identify emerging trends and business acumen to build great products and storytelling.

You will partner with our Merchandise Operations, Brand Marketing, and Partnerships teams to own what we create, why it matters to fans, and how it drives both fan acquisition and revenue. This position reports to the Vice President, Growth and Retention.

Come share your expertise while learning more about this growing sports and entertainment organization that values your initiative and dedication!

This is a full-time position based onsite in San Francisco, CA with time spent at our offices in Oakland.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop annual and seasonal merchandise strategies for Warriors and Valkyries brands that are aligned with brand initiatives, fan insights, and merchandise trends
• Translate brand campaigns, tentpole moments, and organizational priorities into cohesive product collections
• Build merchandise calendars that capitalize on key moments (jersey unveils, draft, season openers, promotional and heritage nights) and ensure product assortments meaningfully support these moments
• Ensure merchandise consistently reflects brand standards, tone, and visual identity across all channels
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue strategic brand collaborations that align with our brand values, cultural relevance, and fan base
• Develop collaboration frameworks (limited drops, capsules, co-branded collections) that create excitement, credibility, and storytelling depth
• Cultivate and manage relationships with licensed and non-licensed vendors, balancing scale partners with emerging, local, and culturally relevant brands
• Set strategic direction for vendor assortment, capabilities, and innovation to support both core merchandise and lifestyle extensions
• Define merchandise strategies that serve both core fans and lifestyle consumers, expanding relevance beyond game day and traditional sports contexts
• Identify whitespace opportunities across product categories, fan segments, and moments to grow the audience for our merchandise
• Stay current on fashion, streetwear, and sports apparel trends to inform product direction and brand positioning
• Partner with Analytics and Merchandise Operations to evaluate performance, sell-through, and fan response to collections and initiatives
• Use insights from sales data, market trends, and fan behavior to continuously refine assortment strategy and storytelling
• Serve as a strategic counterpart to Brand Marketing by developing product offerings that further our brand storytelling
• Work with the Partnerships team to identify opportunities to integrate partners into merchandise offerings in ways that enhance fan value and brand alignment
• Present merchandise strategies, seasonal plans, and performance recaps to senior leadership
• Other duties as assigned
• Required Experience & Skills
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 7+ years in merchandise strategy, product strategy, brand marketing, or related roles within sports, entertainment, lifestyle, or consumer brands
• Ability to translate brand strategy into commercially successful products or collections
• Experience working with licensed products and external vendors
• Success driving revenue growth through strategic merchandise planning
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite/Google Workspace
• Background working in cross-functional environments with marketing, creative, and operations teams
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience influencing senior stakeholders
• Strong strategic thinking paired with a bias toward action and results