Sr. Manager, Sales & IP Licensing

ngs; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. seeks a senior leader in licensing and partnerships to drive global opportunities and revenue growth for touring exhibitions and experiences.

You will lead market outreach, identify licensing opportunities, negotiate multi-year deals, and oversee strategic partnerships with major global institutions, exhibitors, and promoters to extend the Museum reach. With 7+ years in licensing or business development, you will collaborate with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing or related field.
• 7+ years in licensing, partnerships or business development.
• Strong negotiation and licensing experience.
• Proficient in CRM (Salesforce) and project management tools.
• Experience in sales, drafting proposals, and client relationships.
• Knowledge of licensing models and trends in traveling exhibitions.

Responsibilities

• Drive large-scale and complex business development projects.
• Negotiate independently on strategic revenue deals.
• Represent the organization at industry events to promote licensing/partnerships.
• Develop marketing materials with the marketing team for outreach.
• Proactively seek partners to expand global network and brand visibility.
• Manage licenses, track performance, and report progress toward KPIs.
• Maintain robust licensing pipeline and timely follow-ups.
• Collaborate with internal teams for partnership proposals and pricing.
• Oversee lifecycle of partnerships and ensure term compliance.

Skills

Highly organized and detail-oriented;良

Negotiation and licensing agreements

CRM systems (Salesforce) and project管理

Sales, proposals, client relationship

Prioritizing multiple projects; fast‑p

Knowledge of licensing models and TREx

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Marketing

Tools

Salesforce

Google Workspace

Project management software

Job description

How You'll Contribute

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., has undergone a significant renovation project on its campus (called Museum of Exploration), which was completed in June 2026. Components of the new Museum include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.

In addition to this new on-campus experience, National Geographic Society has an existing business of touring exhibitions and immersive experiences that will be growing and expanding. The Exhibitions department is responsible for developing and bringing to life the exhibits and experiences at the Museum, as well as creating, developing, marketing, and selling our traveling exhibitions products.

Your Impact

Responsibilities

Market Outreach and Business Development (50%)

• Drive large-scale and/or highly strategic and complex business development projects to generate new business.
• Negotiates independently and works with top management on most complex strategic and larger revenue deals.
• Represent the organization at international trade shows, industry events, and networking opportunities to promote licensing and partnership opportunities.
• Develop marketing materials and presentations in collaboration with the marketing team to support outreach efforts.
• Proactively seek and engage new partners to expand the organization's global network and increase brand visibility.
• Stay informed on global industry trends and best practices to identify innovative opportunities for growth.
• Responsible for prospecting new clients and opportunities, outbound outreach and relationship management to generate new business opportunities.
• Develop compelling proposals, negotiate contracts and drive partnerships to expand exhibition reach.
• Achieve annual revenue targets by identifying new markets and optimizing sales strategies to maximize deal conversions and long-term client success.
• Add the same revenue outreach.
• All other duties as assigned.

Licensing Operations (25%)

• Identify and evaluate potential licensing opportunities to expand the reach and impact of exhibitions globally.
• Develop and execute licensing strategies aligned with organizational objectives to achieve revenue targets.
• Negotiate licensing agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial terms and compliance with organizational standards.
• Track licensing agreements and prepare detailed reports on performance and progress toward KPIs.
• Maintain a robust pipeline of licensing opportunities and ensure timely follow-ups and renewals.

Partnership Development and Management (25%)

• Manages joint marketing and distribution relationships with major partners to include intricate contract negotiations that involve multi-year licensing deals, intellectual property considerations, and cross-functional collaboration to align with brand and legal standards.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with industry leaders, corporate partners, exhibit promoters, and global institutions to drive collaboration.
• Collaborate with internal teams to design partnership proposals that align with client needs and organizational offerings.
• Manage the lifecycle of partnerships, ensuring alignment with agreed terms and delivering exceptional service.
• Provide input on pricing structures and budgets for partnerships to maximize profitability while meeting partner expectations.
• Act as the primary point of contact for partners, ensuring clear communication and ongoing support.

Educational Background

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field preferred.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

7+ years of experience in licensing, partnerships, or business development.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to negotiate and manage licensing agreements and partnerships.
• Proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), project management software, and Google Office Suite.
• Experience in sales, drafting proposals, and client relationship management.
• Adept at prioritizing multiple projects and ensuring timely execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of licensing models and current trends in the traveling exhibitions market.

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information