[Hiring] Managing Editor @Duolingo

Role Description

We're looking for a Managing Editor, Character IP to lead Duolingo's manga and anime expansion in Japan. This isn't a role for someone who manages timelines and coordinates vendors from a distance. You'll get into the weeds — developing Duo's 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.

• Set and uphold Duolingo’s high quality bar across all creative projects in this pipeline
• Partner with Design Studio Creative Directors to define Duo's 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 we're 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

Qualifications

• Hands-on manga editing / directing experience at a publisher, editorial production company, or IP firm
• Proven ability to develop original stories — you've written plots yourself, not just managed others who do
• Sharp editorial / directorial instincts for capturing a character's 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

Requirements

• 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)

Benefits

• The offered salary is dependent upon several factors, including work experience, skills, and internal peer comparisons.
• The posted range is subject to change in the future.
• For this role, base salary is supplemented by equity compensation.

Salary Range

¥17,178,000 — ¥25,767,100 JPY