Description

We are seeking an experienced Licensing Manager to independently own and drive a portfolio of entertainment and fashion brand licensing relationships. This is a senior individual contributor role with full accountability for licensor partnership health, financial performance, contract compliance, and product program execution across an assigned set of brands.

The Licensing Manager operates with a high degree of autonomy—leading business reviews, negotiating contract terms, building AOPs, and developing long-range growth strategies—while collaborating cross-functionally with Design, Product Development, Sales, Finance, and Marketing to bring licensed products to market. The ideal candidate brings deep licensee-side experience, a strong financial foundation, and a genuine passion for both entertainment IP and fashion brand licensing.

Requirements

Licensor Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary owner of assigned licensor relationships across entertainment and fashion brand portfolios, including day-to-day communication, escalations, and strategic alignment
• Lead partner business reviews (PBRs)—presenting sales performance, category analysis, renewal proposals, and growth roadmaps directly to licensor contacts
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with licensor counterparts at all levels, from approvals coordinators to VP-level contacts
• Proactively identify and resolve issues across the partner relationship before they escalate

Financial Planning, Forecasting & Royalty Management

• Own the quarterly royalty forecasting process for assigned brands, including property-level, retailer-level, and channel-level builds
• Track royalty actuals vs. minimum guarantees across the portfolio; model exposure scenarios and escalate risk to leadership proactively
• Lead financial modeling for contract renewals and new deals, including royalty rate structures, MG proposals, and other deal terms
• Deliver regular performance reporting and business insights to internal stakeholders

Contract Negotiation & Compliance

• Co-lead on contract renewal negotiations, amendments, and new agreement term sheets in partnership with senior leadership
• Own contract compliance for assigned portfolio: distribution channel restrictions, territory limitations, category requirements
• Develop and maintain a working mastery of all key contract terms across assigned brands—royalty rates, advance structures, approval rights, sell-off periods, and renewal options
• Draft and manage contract correspondence including amendment requests, compliance notices, and approval escalations
• Monitor contract expirations and renewal windows; lead proactive outreach to licensors well ahead of deadlines

Product Development & Approvals

• Oversee the full product approval lifecycle for assigned brands—from initial concept through final production approval—ensuring submissions meet licensor brand standards and internal timelines
• Partner with Design, Product Development, and Merchandising to build licensed product assortments that align with brand guidelines and commercial objectives
• Own the approval calendar for assigned licensors; proactively manage submission pacing to prevent bottlenecks and approval delays
• Provide clear direction to internal teams on licensor feedback, translating guidelines into actionable design and development direction
• Ensure all packaging, marketing, and digital assets meet licensor standards before production release or publication

Brand Strategy & Program Growth

• Develop and own the licensing strategy for assigned brands—setting growth targets, identifying new category and channel opportunities, and building long-range plans aligned with licensor priorities
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand existing licensed programs: new IP properties, distribution channels, retail partners, or geographic territories
• Monitor entertainment release calendars, franchise momentum, and fashion trend cycles to anticipate demand and inform product planning
• Prepare and deliver compelling line review materials, seasonal sell-in decks, and licensor-facing strategic presentations
• Support new licensing acquisition by evaluating inbound opportunities and assisting in pitch and negotiation processes

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the internal authority on brand usage, licensor requirements, and compliance standards for Design, Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams on assigned brands
• Partner with Sales to support buyer presentations and account-level initiatives, providing brand positioning and approval guidance
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional process improvements in approval workflows, reporting tools, and contract management systems

Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis

• Monitor licensed footwear market trends, competitive product activity, and brand performance across entertainment and fashion categories
• Track retail sell-through, account-level performance, and IP lifecycle trends to inform forecasting assumptions and renewal strategy
• Synthesize competitive intelligence and consumer insights into actionable recommendations for senior leadership and licensor partners