Licensing Director

Who We Are:

Endeavor is a global sports and entertainment company, home to many of the world’s most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events, and experiences. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation through entertainment agency WME; sports operations and advisory, event management, media production and distribution, and brand licensing through IMG; live event experiences and hospitality through On Location; full-service marketing through global cultural marketing agency 160over90; and sports data and technology through IMG ARENA and OpenBet. Endeavor is also the majority owner of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company comprising UFC and WWE.

The Role and What You’ll Do:

This is a global role and reports to the VP, Licensing. The Director of Licensing will be responsible for all aspects of partner management across softline and hardline licensees in key markets. This role will drive and scale existing business across multiple product categories and distribution channels, support licensees in developing go-to-market strategies, and will work closely with internal business development, marketing, product development and brand teams.

• Manages all aspects of licensing partnerships
• Works with licensees to develop go-to-market strategies to drive program growth and increased distribution
• Supports licensees in developing and executing retail marketing programs to drive sell in and sell through of licensed products
• Regularly provides senior management with retail performance and sales analysis of licensed products at retail
• Develops strategies for licensee integration through broader UFC company divisions and initiatives
• Translates and leverages consumer insights, licensing market trends into meaningful and executable business strategies for assigned markets
• Develops incremental revenue opportunities for existing licensees
• Collaborates with internal and broader company divisions to create and execute product collaborations, unique retail activations, and unexpected partnerships
• Manages relationship between licensees and Consumer Products Marketing team to identify product amplification opportunities across UFC marketing channels
• In collaboration with agency partner, analyzes business proposals and negotiates deal terms with prospective licensees
• Conducts ongoing analysis of existing licensees including proposals, requests for renewals, amendments, annual business and marketing plans
• Partners with internal stakeholders to support strategic growth initiatives, identify and resolve business issues, and maximize existing business
• Works closely with Product Development team to ensure production timelines are met and maintains knowledge and understanding of licensees’ product lifecycles
• Manages cross-functional relationships with internal and external partners to ensure strategies are communicated and implemented effectively; maximizes reach of consumer products initiatives
• Other tasks, projects, and responsibilities as assigned

You Have These:

• Minimum five years’ experience in licensing, retail and consumer marketing and business development
• Proven track record of business development utilizing an intellectual property licensing and brand extension model across an array of platforms, media, and retail/e-commerce outlets
• Experience with creation and execution of licensing strategies
• Must have strong retail and industry relationships
• Proven track record of expanding into new markets and growing revenue within established markets
• Experience in establishing and managing strategic partnerships with superior negotiation skills and a track record of building mutually beneficial partnerships
• Experience working with international markets
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, aggressive and entrepreneurial environment
• Relationship-builder with ability to influence and gain alignment with complex and varied constituencies
• Articulate and analytical thought-leader with exceptional written, listening, and verbal communication skills
• Creative problem-solver and strategic thinker, able to address and resolve issues quickly and decisively
• A participative, team-oriented executive who exemplifies the highest personal and professional standards

How we work:

Endeavor is at the center of sports, media, entertainment, and fashion and is a largely relationship-based business. To foster an environment of collaboration, develop our future talent, and build on relationships across leadership, peers, and teams, we work from the office 5 days per week. We see immeasurable value internally and throughout the core of the businesses we support.

Don’t meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Endeavor unites and brings people together in our love of sport, culture, and entertainment. We understand this can only be accomplished when we lead with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. As a global company that drives culture, we strive to reflect the world’s diverse voices.  Endeavor is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.