Managing Director, Licensing Operations

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR); Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) seeks a Managing Director, Licensing Operations and Business Planning to oversee the licensing portfolio from its Charlotte base, driving operational and financial performance while building scalable growth infrastructure.

You will lead licensing category oversight, strengthen licensee relationships, and partner with finance, legal, brand, and other functions to translate strategy into actionable plans and major negotiations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 10+ years in licensing, consumer products, retail, or related commercial business.
• Travel up to 20% including weekends as needed.
• Proven ability to present to top management and boards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational and financial performance of NASCAR's licensing business, including revenue growth, forecasting, budgeting, and business planning.
• Provide strategic oversight of assigned licensing categories and guide category and account management teams with clear objectives and accountability.
• Manage and strengthen licensee relationships, including performance reviews, contract renewals, compliance, and issue resolution.
• Partner with the Strategic Licensing & Growth team to turn opportunities into scalable, long-term partnerships.
• Develop revenue projections, royalty forecasts, and business performance reporting to support informed decisions.
• Analyze performance against plan, identify risks and opportunities, and drive corrective actions.
• Establish operating rhythms with business reviews, forecasting updates, and cross-functional planning.

Skills

Travel up to 20%

Executive communication

Forecasting & budgeting

Licensing/CPG experience

Leadership/management

Strategic partnerships

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At NASCAR, you will work alongside passionate people creating experiences fans feel and helping shape the future of sports and entertainment.

NASCAR is seeking an experienced Managing Director, Licensing Operations and Business Planning to oversee the operational and financial performance of its licensing business while building the infrastructure, processes, and organizational capabilities needed to support future growth.

In this role, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across NASCAR's licensing portfolio, partnering with internal stakeholders and licensees to drive commercial performance, financial discipline, and operational excellence.

This position is based in Charlotte, NC, and requires up to 20% travel, including weekends, as business needs require.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the operational and financial performance of NASCAR's licensing business, including revenue growth, forecasting, budgeting, and business planning.
• Provide strategic oversight of assigned licensing categories and guide category and account management teams through clear objectives, accountability, and performance expectations.
• Manage and strengthen licensee relationships, including business performance reviews, contract renewals, compliance, and issue resolution.
• Partner with the Strategic Licensing & Growth team to transition new opportunities into scalable, long-term business partnerships.
• Develop revenue projections, royalty forecasts, and business performance reporting to support informed decision-making.
• Analyze performance against plan, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend actions to improve results.
• Establish and maintain operating rhythms, including business reviews, forecasting updates, performance evaluations, and cross-functional planning processes.
• Evaluate and improve licensing systems, reporting tools, workflows, and operational processes to support scalability and efficiency.
• Lead, coach, and develop directors and account management personnel while building organizational capabilities through succession planning and professional development.
• Partner closely with Finance, Legal, Brand, Marketing, and other business functions to align priorities and drive business outcomes.
• Translate long-term licensing strategies into actionable operational plans and support major negotiations, contract renewals, and enterprise initiatives.
• Directly supervise assigned staff, including hiring, development, performance management, and employee engagement.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university. A minimum of 10 (ten) years’ progressive experience in licensing, consumer products, retail, or a closely related commercial business; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, including weekends, as business needs require.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Proficient with company-provided hardware and software.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills.
• Significant experience managing licensing portfolios, commercial partnerships, or consumer products operations.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue analysis, and business planning.
• Experience leading teams and developing managers and emerging leaders.
• Proven ability to manage complex cross-functional initiatives and improve operating processes.
• Experience working with major sports properties, entertainment brands, consumer products companies, or licensing agencies is preferred.
• Familiarity with royalty structures, licensing agreements, approvals, and intellectual property management is preferred.
• Experience with retail analytics, e-commerce, or merchandise operations is preferred.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of NASCAR's licensing business by driving commercial growth, influencing strategic decisions, and building the operational foundation that supports long-term success. As a key member of the leadership team, you'll develop high-performing teams, strengthen strategic partnerships, and help scale one of the most recognized brands in sports and entertainment. Behind every race weekend are talented people helping shape the future of sports and entertainment.

Our people are the key to our success. That is why we offer competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package focused on wellness, and opportunities to grow and develop both personally and professionally.

NASCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to conducting recruitment and hiring activities in a fair, ethical, and legally compliant manner. In support of this commitment, all employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, skills, experience, and performance, and are made without discrimination based on any legally protected characteristic, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including socioeconomic, marital, parental, or caregiving status.

To help us get to know you accurately and keep the process fair for everyone, we ask that interviews and assessments be completed without the support of AI-generated content or automated assistance.

Follow us on LinkedIn and X for future opportunities and company news. We are looking for your voice, your ideas, and your perspective.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports entertainment. NASCAR is the owner of 15 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.