Licensing Manager

YuMe Toys (a Maxx Group Company), an award-winning designer and manufacturer of licensed toys and products, is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Licensing Manager to identify, evaluate, negotiate, and secure licensing opportunities that support the growth of our toys & collectibles portfolio.

The successful candidate will build and maintain relationships with entertainment studios, brand owners, content creators, sports organizations, gaming companies, and licensing agencies to acquire intellectual property (IP) rights that align with the company's product strategy and target markets.

This role requires a strong understanding of consumer products licensing, entertainment trends, toy industry dynamics, contract negotiations, the retail landscape and cross-functional collaboration to bring licensed products from concept to market.

Licensing Strategy & Acquisition.

• Research and identify potential licensing opportunities across entertainment, gaming, sports, digital media, influencers, publishing, and lifestyle brands.
• Develop and execute licensing acquisition strategies that support company growth objectives.
• Evaluate the commercial viability of licensing opportunities through market research, sales forecasting, and competitive analysis.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging intellectual properties that may generate successful toys & collectibles product lines.

Relationship Management.

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with licensors, licensing agents, studios, brand owners, and industry partners.
• Act as the primary point of contact during licensing discussions and negotiations.
• Represent the company at licensing trade shows, industry events, toy fairs, and business meetings (international travel is required).
• Collaborate with external partners to build long-term strategic relationships.

Negotiation & Contract Management

• Lead negotiations of licensing agreements, term sheets, royalty structures, minimum guarantees, and other commercial terms.
• Ensure licensing agreements meet business objectives while complying with company policies and legal requirements.
• Track contract milestones, renewals, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration.

• Work closely with Creative, Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Finance, and Operations teams to assess licensing opportunities and support product launches.
• Facilitate communication between licensors and internal stakeholders throughout the product development cycle.
• Ensure licensed products adhere to brand guidelines and approval processes.

Financial & Portfolio Management.

• Develop licensing business cases, sales forecasts, and ROI analysis.

• Manage licensing budgets, royalty commitments, and minimum guarantee obligations.

• Track the performance of licensed products and provide recommendations for renewals, expansions, or terminations.

• Prepare regular reports on licensing pipeline, market opportunities, and portfolio performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Entertainment Management, Communications or related disciplines.

• 5+ years of experience in licensing, business development, brand partnerships, consumer products, entertainment, or toys & collectibles industry roles.

• Proven experience negotiating and securing intellectual property licensing agreements.

• Strong network within or familiarity with the licensing, entertainment, gaming, or consumer products industries, preferably with an international outlook.

• Experience working with licensors such as movie studios, gaming companies, sports organizations, or major consumer brands is highly desirable.

• Deep understanding of licensing agreements, royalty structures, and intellectual property rights.

• Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent commercial acumen and analytical capabilities.

• Ability to evaluate market trends and identify profitable business opportunities.

• Exceptional communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent time and project management skills.

• Able to work efficiently as a part of a team as well as independently.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.