Director, Licensing

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

WWE is seeking a Director of Licensing (CPG Licensing & Operations) in Los Angeles to lead strategic direction and growth of its consumer products business. You will manage junior talent, identify opportunities, and cultivate licensee relationships across categories and international markets.

The role requires at least 8 years in consumer products or brand management, plus a BA/BS. Travel is expected, and the team collaborates across marketing, sales, and partnerships to drive revenue.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in consumer products, strategy or brand management.
• Bachelor’s degree required; strong understanding of brand positioning and value.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the strategic direction and growth of WWE Consumer Products.
• Identify white space opportunities across categories, retail channels and international markets.
• Build and manage a portfolio of licensees across product verticals including key partners.
• Expand WWE’s presence across major retail partners and international markets.
• Support licensees across deal memos, contract execution, and marketing plans.
• Lead coordination of partner initiatives tied to live WWE events and talent appearances.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Verbal & written communication

Negotiation experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who We Are: WWE® is the global leader in sports entertainment. The company creates and delivers original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, Premium Live Events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE's TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion households worldwide in more than 20 languages through world-class distribution partners including Netflix, ESPN, NBCUniversal, USA Network and The CW. WWE is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO). Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world's premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.

Job Title: Director, Licensing (CPG Licensing & Operations) Location: Los Angeles

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and drive the strategic direction and growth of the WWE Consumer Products business while managing junior level‑talent and supporting them on day‑to‑day licensing objectives
• Identify white space opportunities across categories, retail channels and international markets
• Build and manage a high-performing portfolio of licensees across core and emerging product verticals including existing relationships with key partners such as Fanatics, Mattel, Topps, Funko and others
• Build, manage, and grow strong relationships with key licensees across categories
• Expand WWE’s presence across key retail partners including sporting goods, specialty, mass, DTC and international
• Support licensees across the full lifecycle, including deal memos, contract execution, commercial alignment, product development, and retail sell-in strategies
• Lead coordination of partner initiatives tied to live WWE events, including ticketing, talent appearances, retail promotions, and licensed activations
• Collaborate with regional team members, internal stakeholders, and external partners to develop integrated, multi-platform marketing and promotional campaigns plans
• Align cross-functional teams by consolidating event plans, promotional calendars, and key business updates for partners
• Troubleshoot operational challenges to ensure the consumer products program runs efficiently and effectively
• Support financial processes, including royalty tracking, sales reporting, forecasting, and budget reconciliation
• Assist in managing annual budgets across revenue, marketing, and travel & expense categories
• Maintain accurate records and documentation, including contracts, deal memos, and best practice case studies
• Monitor cultural, consumer, and market trends to inform strategy
• Partner with Brand, Global Partnerships and Talent Relations to leverage key moments and athlete-driven product opportunities
• Stay current on WWE talent, events, content, products, and overall business initiatives

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in consumer products, strategy or brand management, with a strong understanding of brand positioning and value
• Experience working across categories such as apparel, toys, interactive gaming, and home entertainment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and verbal and written communication skills including the ability to present to senior level management
• Demonstrated sales and negotiation experience with a strong track record of driving revenue
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Self-starter with a proactive mindset and strong follow-through
• Passion for staying current on industry trends and the evolving sports and entertainment landscape
• Creative thinker with the ability to translate ideas into execution
• Willing and able to travel for events
• Bachelor’s degree required

Attributes & Knowledge:

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed organization
• Strong executive presence and comfort engaging with senior leadership
• Adaptability in a dynamic and evolving market environment
• Proven negotiation skills and relationship management skills
• Commercially driven with a strong sales mindset
• Independent thinker with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail and time management
• Understanding of brand development and extension strategies
• Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the hourly rate shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. The company strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.

Hiring Rate Minimum: $131,250 annually (minimum will not fall below the applicable State/local minimum salary thresholds)

Hiring Rate Maximum: $175,000 annually

WWE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment. WWE makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. WWE also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state or local laws.

For information about Privacy and Information Security for WWE employment candidates, please review our Candidate Privacy Policy. For information regarding Terms and Conditions for this and other WWE websites, please review our Terms and Conditions.

WWE® is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion households worldwide in more than 20 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, The CW and Netflix. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to all premium live events, a variety of original programming and a massive video-on-demand library. Netflix is the exclusive home for WWE programming around the world, other than select international markets. WWE is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO). Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world's premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.