Senior Licensing Sales Manager

Disney Parks and Resorts; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading entertainment company in Greater London is seeking a motivated individual to manage key commercial licensing partnerships and drive growth strategies. This fixed-term contract position requires effective relationship management and negotiation skills. Candidates should have experience in product development or commercial sales, along with a degree-level education. The role includes developing operating plans and fostering partnerships to enhance category growth. Offers include 25 days of annual leave and other perks.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance & dental care

Free Park Entry

Disney Discounts

Excellent parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Qualifications

• Experience in consumer products management.
• Understand the fashion industry and retail landscape.
• Ability to analyse data and implement recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for licensing.
• Manage annual operating plans and develop objectives.
• Negotiate contracts to maximise revenue.
• Cultivate relationships and conduct business planning.
• Identify new business opportunities for growth.
• Lead and manage a team to achieve objectives.

Skills

Buying

Product development

Merchandising

Commercial sales

Relationship management

Analytical skills

Adaptability

Proficiency in MS Word

Proficiency in Excel

Proficiency in Keynote

Strong English

Marketing knowledge

Problem-solving

Planning and organization

Influencing skills

Cultural awareness

Education

Degree-level education in a related field

Job description

Job Summary:

About The Role & Team

This role manages a key commercial licensing partnership with a few UK grocers. Responsibilities include implementing long‑term and fiscal strategies to maximise sales and revenue and drive growth.

Building strong relationships, both internally and externally, is crucial. You will actively manage partnerships, negotiate contracts, and drive strategic growth in licensing sales for the UK business.

Apply creativity and expertise in product development, digital, social and in‑store marketing. Use consumer insights to develop strategies that span across departments. Be agile to identify and act on new opportunities quickly.

This is a fixed‑term contract position, running until January 2027, located in the London office in Hammersmith, with a requirement to be in the office four days out of the week.

What You Will Do

• Develop, set, and execute strategies for the relevant category in alignment with the regional strategy, working collaboratively with stakeholders. This includes plans for white space for each sub‑category and franchise.
• Manage the annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting process, developing licensee objectives and initiatives to drive growth, in partnership with franchise, marketing, retail, product development, and finance teams.
• Foster and cultivate relationship engagement, partnerships, and joint business planning.
• Conduct or participate in contract negotiations with licensees to maximise Disney royalty revenue, ensuring all key stakeholders are informed with the relevant
• Collaborate closely with regional creative teams, product approvers, franchise, and marketing teams to support product sales as needed by licensees/retailers.
• Communicate the International Labour Standards (ILS) process and act as the liaison between the supplier and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) ILS team.
• Identify, pitch, and secure new business opportunities that significantly enhance category growth.
• Work closely with other managers within the regional licensing sales team to coordinate ranges and launches with licensees across categories.
• Address any legal matters affecting the country/region in collaboration with the legal team.
• Responsible for leading, managing, and developing a team to deliver high quality results and achieve departmental objectives

Required Qualifications & Skills

• A background in buying, product development, merchandising, or commercial sales is required.
• Comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry and retail landscape, along with established connections within the market.
• Degree‑level education in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in consumer products management.
• Demonstrated ability to foster effective relationships, lead and manage change, and collaborate across departments to meet financial goals and shared objectives.
• Ability to analyse data, draw practical conclusions, and implement recommendations to achieve business targets.
• Skill in being adaptable, identifying new opportunities, and targeting partners.
• Proficiency in using MS Word, Excel, and Keynote.
• Strong written and spoken English for professional use
• Knowledge of digital, social, and brick‑and‑mortar marketing.
• Robust commercial and strategic approaches to problem‑solving and innovation.
• Excellent planning and organization abilities.
• Effective influencing skills with the capacity to gain buy‑in at all levels.
• Confidence in presenting to diverse audiences across various stakeholder levels both internally and externally.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity.

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups - WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top‑rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award‑winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world‑class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney's stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Walt Disney Company Limited, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

The Walt Disney Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.