IP & Licensing Project Manager

Gateway Licensing; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in designer toys seeks an IP & Licensing Project Manager to drive licensing strategies and partnerships across Europe. The role involves managing IP operations, conducting market research, and optimizing the IP portfolio to support global expansion. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in licensing, strong negotiation skills, and a keen understanding of the toy industry.

Benefits

Selected POP MART toys as appreciation gifts

Structured bonus scheme

Comprehensive training programs

Regular team social events

Paid rest breaks

Qualifications

• 5+ years in licensing, marketing, or related field.
• Proven experience in negotiating licensing agreements.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic licensing plans.
• Research industry trends and competitor strategies.
• Negotiate and structure licensing agreements.

Skills

Negotiation

Market Research

Project Management

Business Acumen

Analytical Skills

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Job description

About POP MART

Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. Through global artist development, IP operations, and designer toy culture evangelism, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain. Besides our original and iconic IPs such as Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU, POP MART collaborates with top-tier toys and lifestyle brands including Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio to create collectible art toys featuring their iconic characters.

POP MART has established a strong presence across key European markets, including the UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. As part of our strategic growth initiatives, we are focused on expanding our retail network into additional high-potential markets across Europe, continuing to strengthen our brand's position in the region.

For more information, please visit www.popmart.com and our LinkedIn Career page.

What to Expect

POP MART is a fast-paced company with a young and multicultural team where you can expect to:

Gain first-hand experience in global IP licensing and strategic partnershipsWork closely with internal and external stakeholders to drive IP commercialization and business growthBe part of an innovative team shaping the future of designer toys, art collaborations, and co-branding partnershipsLead and execute licensing projects that expand POP MART’s market influence and IP value

Benefits

POP MART offers our employees:

Selected POP MART toys as appreciation gifts every monthA structured bonus scheme in line with the company’s and the individual’s performanceComprehensive training and development programsRegular team social eventsPaid rest breaks

The Role and Candidate

POP MART Europe is seeking an IP & Licensing Project Manager to lead and execute licensing strategies, drive strategic partnerships, and optimise our IP portfolio regionally. This role is responsible for licensing operations, market research, and business development, supporting POP MART’s global IP expansion and revenue growth.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, business-minded professional with strong licensing and negotiation experience. They should have a deep understanding of IP management, brand partnerships, and commercial licensing agreements within entertainment, art, or the toy industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic licensing plans, identifying high-potential partners and market opportunities to expand POP MART’s IP portfolio
• Research and analyse industry trends, competitor licensing strategies, and emerging markets to enhance IP commercialization and revenue streams
• Identify, negotiate, and structure licensing agreements, ensuring favourable terms and long-term partnership success
• Build and maintain relationships with licensees, brand partners, and key stakeholders, fostering strong collaborations that align with business objectives
• Collaborate with internal teams across the IP team, legal, marketing, finance, and product development to execute licensing deals and ensure seamless operations
• Assist the IP team in identifying and assessing potential artists for exclusive collaborations, contributing to the expansion of POP MART’s in-house and co-branded IPs
• Develop compelling presentations, pitch decks, and mock-ups to showcase POP MART’s IPs and licensing opportunities to external partners
• Drive innovation by maintaining a strong sensitivity to co-branding trends, identifying and capitalizing on cross-IP partnership opportunities

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in licensing, marketing, or a related field, preferably within the entertainment, toy, or consumer goods industry
• Proven experience in negotiating licensing agreements and managing IP-related projects
• Strong business acumen, analytical skills, and market research capabilities to identify trends and growth opportunities
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple licensing deals simultaneously
• Knowledge of intellectual property laws, contract negotiation, and commercial licensing frameworks in European countries
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, and Powe BI skills for tracking licensing performance
• Fluency in English; Mandarin or another European language (French, Spanish, German, Italian) is a strong plus

Desirable but Not Essential

• Experience working in global licensing, cross-border negotiations, or multi-market IP expansion
• Familiarity with designer toys, collectible art, and genre character-based artists
• Strong industry connections with brands, artists, and entertainment IP holders