Senior Contracts & Licensing Manager (Remote)

careers-harpercollins; Glenmaura (PA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HarperCollins Publishers seeks a Senior Contracts Manager to lead inbound brand and content licensing negotiations for the Children’s and Trade groups. The role focuses on drafting, negotiating, and finalizing contracts and amendments with IP owners, brands, and licensors.

Based in New York or remote from an approved location, you will collaborate with Editorial, Royalties, Publishing Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure timely execution and compliance with business terms.

Qualifications

• Four or more years of experience independently drafting and negotiating contracts, including significant experience with brand licensing agreements, within book publishing or the licensing function of a consumer-products, entertainment, or media company.
• Working knowledge of intellectual property concepts, contract terminology, approval rights, royalty structures, and licensing practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication, contract drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, prioritize effectively under pressure, and manage multiple deadlines.
• Collaborative and team-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Manage inbound brand and content licensing agreements from request through execution, including drafting, negotiating, and finalizing contracts and amendments within established guidelines.
• Draft, negotiate, and finalize other publishing agreements and amendments, which may include author, illustrator, contributor, and related agreements.
• Review contract requests submitted by Editorial for completeness, accuracy, appropriate approvals, and alignment with agreed business terms.
• Partner with Editorial, Royalties, Publishing Operations, Finance, and Legal to support timely contract execution and effective administration.
• Review and communicates key business and legal terms, including advances, royalties, approvals, territories, formats, exclusivity, term, renewal, and termination rights.
• Identifies and escalates material legal, financial, or business risks to department leadership or Legal, as appropriate.
• Tracks contract status, approvals, obligations, and key deadlines, and maintains accurate records in contract-management systems.
• Interprets contract terms and provides clear guidance to internal stakeholders and third parties regarding rights, obligations, approvals, and related requirements.
• Advises on author estate matters as required.
• Supports contract templates, workflow improvements, special projects, and other responsibilities aligned with the needs of the Contracts Department.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Brand licensing

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

HarperCollins Publishers seeks a Senior Contracts Manager to lead inbound brand and content licensing negotiations for the Children’s and Trade groups. The role focuses on drafting, negotiating, and finalizing contracts and amendments with IP owners, brands, and licensors.

Based in New York or remote from an approved location, you will collaborate with Editorial, Royalties, Publishing Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure timely execution and compliance with business terms.