Head / Director of Licensing

SBH Fashion; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

SBH Fashion is seeking a Head of Licensing to lead strategic licensing development, acquisition, and management across all categories. You will balance creative vision with business acumen to build long-term partnerships with licensors and maximize revenue.

The ideal candidate brings 8-10+ years in licensing within wholesale fashion, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to align brand opportunities with manufacturing capabilities. This role reports into senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 8-10+ years in licensing or brand management within wholesale fashion or consumer products.
• Proven track record negotiating licensing contracts and securing partnerships.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the licensing strategy to maximize partnerships and revenue.
• Identify and secure new licensing opportunities aligned with goals and trends.
• Oversee renewals, extensions, and terminations to optimize portfolio performance.
• Negotiate contracts and royalties with legal and finance teams.
• Collaborate with design, production, sales, and marketing to align with brand standards.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Presentation skills

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

PLM/ERP familiarity

Job description

A leading wholesale manufacturer with a diverse portfolio of products is looking for a Head of Licensing that will be responsible for the strategic development, acquisition, and management of brand licenses across all categories. This role requires a strong balance of creative vision, business acumen, and relationship management to ensure profitable and long-term partnerships with licensors. The ideal candidate has deep industry knowledge, experience negotiating licensing agreements, and the ability to align brand opportunities with our manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Licensing Management

• Develop and execute the company's licensing strategy to maximize brand partnerships and revenue potential.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure new licensing opportunities in alignment with company goals and market trends.
• Oversee license renewals, extensions, and terminations to ensure optimal portfolio performance.

Relationship & Brand Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for licensors, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships.
• Present seasonal product lines and business performance updates to licensors.
• Partner with internal teams (design, production, sales, and marketing) to ensure product development aligns with brand standards and licensor guidelines.

Contract & Financial Oversight

• Negotiate licensing contracts, terms, and royalty structures in collaboration with legal and finance teams.
• Monitor sales performance and royalty reporting to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage annual budgets, forecasts, and P&L for the licensing division.

Market Insights & Innovation

• Track competitive landscape and industry trends to identify emerging categories and brand partnership opportunities.
• Provide thought leadership to drive innovation in licensed product offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 8-10+ years of experience in licensing, brand management, or related field within wholesale manufacturing, fashion, consumer products, or entertainment.
• Proven track record of securing and managing successful licensing partnerships.
• Strong negotiation skills and understanding of licensing contract structures.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with PLM/ERP systems a plus.

Salary $100,000-$175,000