Licensing Director, Europe

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Reports To: Vice President, International Consumer Products

Job Summary:

The Licensing Director, Europe will play a crucial role helping to lead strategic initiatives and business growth for the NFL’s global Consumer Products team. The NFL’s Consumer Products business unit is responsible for the NFL’s global licensing business, e-commerce and retailer relationships, and gaming portfolio, as well as supporting int’l expansion programs for NFL clubs. As the NFL continues to grow globally, consumer products will play an essential role in engaging fans in global markets. The NFL’s global Consumer Product team is responsible for evaluating new business opportunities and leading strategic initiatives to support the business. Example initiatives might include executing category-wide marketing campaigns, negotiating licensing deals, monetizing new assets, or identifying growth opportunities for current partners. The Licensing Director, Europe will help lead these initiatives by identifying growth opportunities, building and strengthening local licensee and retail relationships and presence, and leading cross-departmental projects. This is an exciting new opportunity to take on a leadership role in one of the NFL’s key business units and work with other NFL stakeholders, NFL partners, and NFL clubs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and deliver the annual and multi-year business plans, on the consumer products business in Europe with a strong focus on Germany.
• Identify and execute new spaces and CP opportunities in market that support revenue, fan growth and engagement.
• Partner with local GMs and Marketing teams to drive fan growth strategy.
• Develop and implement product and segment strategy for Europe growth markets.
• Manage local licensee portfolio and relationships.
• Build and strengthen key retail relationships across Europe; drive cross category programming at key moments.
• Proactively generate new business ideas and opportunities to grow relationships with current and new partners.
• Negotiate and execute licensing deals with current and new licensees.
• Work cross-functionally with other NFL departments, Clubs, and Licensees on joint strategic initiatives.
• Proactively identify opportunities for improved revenues while anticipating potential challenges.
• Liaise with research group to execute research projects designed to better understand Europe landscape and customers.
• Lead licensee communication on local marketing plans across tentpole moments, including: Draft, Kickoff, Int’l Games, Playoffs, Super Bowl, etc.
• Facilitate QC approvals and licensee line reviews, ensuring compliance with Licensees’ contracts and maintenance of quality standards.

Qualities, Skills, and Knowledge

• Minimum 10 years licensing or consumer product experience – cross-category a plus
• Extensive knowledge of Europe retail landscape
• German language strongly preferred
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with NY-based team and global partners
• Experience in matrixed reporting within global business structure
• Experience working with a mix of global and local product partners
• General knowledge of NFL fan base
• Understand trends in product and product marketing
• Strong understanding of utilizing consumer insights to build consumer product marketing tactics
• Ability to anticipate problems and solutions, to find efficiencies
• Extremely strong partner management and collaboration skills
• Understanding, appreciation in working with different cultures
• Ability to balance global vs. local partner priorities.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage various projects
• Strong communication and presentation skills to interact with both NFL partners and NFL leadership
• Proactive, resourceful and a self-starter
• Able to juggle multiple projects, prioritize stakeholder needs, meet tight deadlines