Sr Manager, Contracts (remote US)

HarperCollins Publishers; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HarperCollins Publishers seeks a Senior Contracts Manager to lead inbound brand and content licensing for the Children’s and Trade groups. You will draft, negotiate, and finalize contracts with IP owners and licensors, ensuring alignment with business terms and company standards.

Based in New York City on a hybrid schedule or remotely from an approved location, you will work with Editorial, Royalties, Publishing Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure timely execution and accurate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Four+ years drafting and negotiating contracts, including brand licensing, in publishing or consumer products/entertainment.
• Strong IP knowledge, contract terminology, and licensing practices.

Responsibilities

• Independently manages inbound brand and content licensing agreements from request through execution.
• Drafts and negotiates publishing and amendments (author, illustrator, contributor, etc.).
• Reviews contract requests for completeness and alignment with business terms.
• Collaborates with Editorial, Royalties, Publishing Operations, Finance, and Legal to support timely contract execution.
• Identifies and communicates key terms (advances, royalties, territories, formats, exclusivity, term, renewal, termination).
• Tracks contract status, obligations, and deadlines in contract-management systems.
• Interprets terms and guides internal and external stakeholders on rights and requirements.
• Advises on author estate matters as required.
• Supports templates, workflows, and special projects.

Skills

Contract drafting and negotiation

Communication (written and verbal)

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Independent work under pressure

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

Overview

HarperCollins Publishers is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to join its fast-paced and dynamic Contracts Department. This position manages contracts and amendments for imprints within the Children’s and Trade publishing groups, with a primary focus on inbound brand and content licensing agreements with intellectual property owners, including corporate brands and consumer-product licensors.

This position may be based in New York City on a hybrid schedule, or performed remotely from an approved location. Occasional travel or in-office attendance may be required based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Independently manages inbound brand and content licensing agreements from request through execution, including drafting, negotiating, and finalizing contracts and amendments within established guidelines.
• Independently prepares, drafts, negotiates, and finalizes other publishing agreements and amendments, which may include author, illustrator, contributor, and related agreements.
• Reviews contract requests submitted by Editorial for completeness, accuracy, appropriate approvals, and alignment with agreed business terms.
• Partners with Editorial, Royalties, Publishing Operations, Finance, and Legal to support timely contract execution and effective administration.
• Reviews 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 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.

HarperCollins Publishers is a company full of people who are passionate about books. When you apply for a position, we want to know why you want to work here, and why you are interested in the job.That’s why cover letters are strongly preferred.

The salary range for this position is $100,000- $110,000. We recognize that attracting the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company. As a result, we aim for flexibility in structuring competitive compensation offers to ensure we are able to attract the best candidates. The quoted salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what our ideal candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on the selected candidate's experience, industry knowledge, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the interview process. In addition to cash compensation, the company provides a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package, with a variety of physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other benefits, including "elective" benefits employees may select to best fit the needs and personal situations of our diverse workforce.

HarperCollins Publishers is an equal opportunity employer.

HarperCollins Publishers is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, in our job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or accommodation in completing your application, due to a disability, email us at [e-mail]. Note: we will only respond to accommodation requests.