Licensing Manager

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. in Irvine, California is seeking a Licensing Manager to oversee brand strategy for gaming IPs. This role involves managing licensing deals, collaborating on revenue growth, and analyzing market trends.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree and over 5 years of relevant experience. This position supports a hybrid work schedule, and is a vital part of the company's innovative culture and successful licensing initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in licensing or related industry.
• Strong proficiency in reviewing licensing contracts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the video game industry.

Responsibilities

• Manage licensee deals ensuring compliance and performance.
• Collaborate on strategic objectives for revenue growth.
• Analyze licensee businesses and communicate insights.

Skills

Licensing contracts proficiency

Communication skills

Teamwork

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Business Administration, Communication

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. (BNEA) embraces the idea of Fun For All Into the Future, where anything is possible for our fans and team, using technology and innovation to create the most memorable and genuine experiences around our brands. Creativity is at the heart of all we do, and our talented team works collaboratively to deliver unparalleled levels of insights to inform strategy and strengthen our outcomes.

The Licensing Manager at Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is responsible for executing the overall licensing brand strategy for all core gaming IPs for The Americas territories and any potential international merchandise licensing programs. This role entails day‑to‑day account management, negotiation of licensing deals, partner compliance, tracking of licensing budget and targets, communication with master licensor and domestic/overseas affiliates as well as ensuring brand integrity is in alignment with the Bandai Namco objectives and guidelines.

Join us at our new campus in Irvine, California where a hybrid work schedule will be observed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage licensee deals through their full lifecycle, ensuring contractual compliance, launch execution, and ongoing commercial performance
• Collaborate closely with Licensing department leadership to support the determination of strategic objectives and contribute to the overall revenue growth of the IP Licensing departmental goals
• Maintain a pulse on current and emerging patterns and trends in the video game industry, possessing deep knowledge of modern gaming, retailer insight, sales lifecycles, line planning, trends and play patterns, identifying new business opportunities
• Analyze existing licensee businesses via sales comparisons, forecasts, and competitive analysis on a quarterly basis and communicate insights to department leadership
• Engage with cross‑functional teams and other Bandai Namco affiliated international territories in cross‑functional matters such as participating in weekly approval meetings to ensure alignment and direction
• Support sales planning and financial alignment by consolidating projections and validating quarterly results with licensee partners
• Contribute to new Licensee recruitment, which includes participating in blue sky ideation, incremental business opportunity identification, trend research, and overall market analysis
• Develop style guides for each brand by collaborating with internal and external stakeholders such as the Creative Services team and master licensors
• Collaborate, with the eCommerce team to develop a linear promotional strategy for Bandai Namco stores and other major eCommerce retailers to support and grow business
• Prospect for new Licensees, prepare and present pitches, prepare sales materials, presentations/decks and ad‑hoc reports/requests
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Business Administration, Communication, or related
• Field or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in licensing or related industry experience
• Strong proficiency in reviewing licensing contracts and fluency in negotiating key business terms
• Demonstrated knowledge of the video game industry
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including experience developing clear and effective presentation decks
• Strong teamwork skills, experienced with effectively collaborating with other stakeholders
• Ability to be adaptable in a fast‑paced, dynamic work environment

SALARY RANGE

$80,000.00 - $110,000.00 annual

Actual base salary will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, but not limited to, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs. The salary range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees and it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is providing the following notice regarding the Personal Information we collect and use in the context of this job application: https://www.bandainamcoent.com/legal/bnea-privacy-ccpanotice

ABOUT BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INC.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., part of the Bandai Namco Group, is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for major video game consoles, PC, online, and mobile platforms. The company is known for creating many of the industry’s beloved classic franchises such as PAC‑MAN, GALAGA, TEKKEN, SOULCALIBUR, and ACE COMBAT, and publishing the critically acclaimed DARK SOULS series and the blockbuster title ELDEN RING. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is also the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime‑based video games including GUNDAM, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, DRAGON BALL, and ONE PIECE. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com.