Vice President of Licensing

**Vice President of Licensing** **Location: Union County, NJ (On-site 5 days)** **Position Summary** A growing consumer products organization is seeking an experienced **Vice President of Licensing** to lead the development, management, and expansion of its licensed brand portfolio. This senior leadership role will oversee licensing strategy, brand partnerships, contract negotiations, product approvals, and cross-functional collaboration to drive revenue growth, brand equity, and market expansion. The Vice President will serve as a key liaison between licensors, internal teams, retail partners, and manufacturing partners to ensure the successful execution of licensed product programs. Travel required on an as needed basis. **Key Responsibilities** **Licensing Strategy & Business Development** - Develop and execute licensing strategies across multiple product categories. - Identify and secure new licensing opportunities with entertainment, character, lifestyle, sports, gaming, fashion, and consumer brands. - Evaluate market trends, consumer insights, and competitive activity to identify opportunities for portfolio growth. - Build and maintain long-term relationships with licensors, licensing agencies, and strategic partners. **Contract Negotiation & Relationship Management** - Lead negotiations for licensing agreements, renewals, amendments, and royalty structures. - Manage licensor relationships and ensure alignment with brand objectives and contractual requirements. - Monitor licensing compliance, including sales reporting, royalty payments, and audit requirements. - Resolve licensing-related issues while maintaining strong partner relationships. **Product Development & Brand Management** - Partner closely with design, merchandising, sourcing, and product development teams to bring licensed collections to market. - Ensure products meet licensor brand standards and approval requirements. - Oversee artwork submissions, product approvals, packaging reviews, and marketing approvals. - Maintain consistent brand positioning across product categories and sales channels. **Financial Management** - Develop annual licensing revenue forecasts and budgets. - Analyze sales performance, royalty obligations, and profitability by license. - Identify opportunities to improve margins and optimize licensing investments. - Present business reviews, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership. **Retail & Sales Partnership** - Collaborate with sales teams to develop retailer-specific licensing programs. - Support key account presentations and licensing pitches to major retail partners. - Partner on marketing and promotional initiatives designed to drive sell-through and consumer engagement. - Monitor retailer feedback and market performance to inform future licensing decisions. **Leadership & Team Development** - Lead and mentor licensing, approvals, and brand management professionals. - Establish performance objectives and support professional development. - Promote a collaborative, accountable, and innovative team environment. - Develop scalable processes and best practices to support continued portfolio growth. **Qualifications** - Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, Licensing, or a related field preferred; advanced degree a plus. - 10+ years of experience in **licensing, brand management, business development, or related functions within consumer products, apparel, or wholesale environments** . - 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership capacity within licensing or branded consumer products. - Strong experience working with character brands, entertainment properties, fashion/lifestyle brands, or consumer licensing programs. - Proven success negotiating and managing complex licensing agreements. - Strong understanding of royalty structures, licensing compliance, forecasting, and profitability. - Experience partnering with retailers, sales teams, design, merchandising, sourcing, and product development functions. - Excellent relationship management, negotiation, presentation, and executive communication skills. **Featured benefits** - Medical insurance - Vision insurance - Dental insurance - 401(k) match Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: • The California Fair Chance Act • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers • San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance