Global Head of License & Partnerships – Commercial

Primark; Reading Street; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in the UK is seeking a Head of License Partnerships to shape and drive its global licensing strategy. The role involves leading campaigns, building partnerships, and managing a creative team. Candidates should have over 10 years in retail, including substantial senior leadership experience. The company offers a hybrid working model, generous leave policies, and health benefits.

Benefits

27 Days Annual Leave

Health Care

Flexible Working

Access to Gym facilities

Healthy and affordable food offerings

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in retail/fashion, including 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Proven background in licensing, with strong expertise managing senior external stakeholders.
• Track record of delivering product strategies and campaign execution in fast-paced environments.
• Strong leadership skills—coaching, mentoring, and building high-performing, creative teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship management at executive level.
• Strategic, innovative thinker with the ability to manage complexity, set clear priorities, and drive results.

Responsibilities

• Lead Primark’s global licensing campaigns, setting the vision and driving commercial growth.
• Spot new opportunities in the market and turn them into game-changing partnerships.
• Take ownership of end-to-end campaign delivery—making sure launches land on time and hit big commercial targets.
• Influence and collaborate with senior leaders across Buying, Merchandising, and Design to shape strategy.
• Build and manage powerful relationships with licensors, licensees, and DTR partners.
• Represent Primark as a senior leader in licensing, managing high-value deals and partnerships.
• Use insights and performance data to measure success and shape future plans.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing team, giving them clarity, energy, and space to grow.
• Partner with creative leaders to transform global trends into must-have licensed products.
• Champion licensing across the business, bringing people together to deliver bold ideas and brilliant results.

Job description

Overview

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business with over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we\'re Caring and always strive to put people first. We\'re also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.

So what’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You\'re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.

What You\'ll Do

As Head of License Partnerships, you’ll shape and drive Primark’s global licensing strategy—leading end-to-end campaigns, building high-value partnerships, and unlocking the full commercial potential of licensed product. You’ll inspire a creative, high-performing team, influence senior stakeholders, and deliver trend-led ranges that surprise and delight customers while keeping Primark at the forefront of the market.

• Lead Primark’s global licensing campaigns, setting the vision and driving commercial growth.
• Spot new opportunities in the market and turn them into game-changing partnerships.
• Take ownership of end-to-end campaign delivery—making sure launches land on time and hit big commercial targets.
• Influence and collaborate with senior leaders across Buying, Merchandising, and Design to shape strategy.
• Build and manage powerful relationships with licensors, licensees, and DTR partners.
• Represent Primark as a senior leader in licensing, managing high-value deals and partnerships.
• Use insights and performance data to measure success and shape future plans.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing team, giving them clarity, energy, and space to grow.
• Partner with creative leaders to transform global trends into must-have licensed products.
• Champion licensing across the business, bringing people together to deliver bold ideas and brilliant results.

Qualifications / Experience

We want every person in our organisation to feel like they’re making a key contribution. Here are some of the experiences and skills you’ll need for the role:

• 10+ years’ experience in retail/fashion, including 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Proven background in licensing, with strong expertise managing senior external stakeholders.
• Track record of delivering product strategies and campaign execution in fast-paced environments.
• Strong leadership skills—coaching, mentoring, and building high-performing, creative teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship management at executive level.
• Strategic, innovative thinker with the ability to manage complexity, set clear priorities, and drive results.

What You\'ll Get

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle:

• This role operates within Primark’s hybrid working model, with the flexibility to work primarily from London/Primark House around three days per week. The role also involves some international travel, as well as regular visits to our HQ in Dublin
• 27 Days Annual Leave with the opportunity each year to buy 5 more Holiday Days
• Health Care
• Flexible Working, opportunity for an early Friday finish
• Access to Gym facilities in Primark House
• Healthy and affordable food offerings in Primark House

Ready? Good - because we can’t wait to see what you can offer. You’ll be joining a team of innovative and experienced people where you’ll truly belong, collaborating on projects that will shape the future of our industry. Apply to be part of our future and we’ll support you in developing yours.

#Hybrid

Our fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together.

If you require extra support at any stage of the selection process, please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

REQ ID: JR-530