Manager, Licensing, Hardlines

BBC Studios

Bold. British. Creative: that’s BBC Studios. Combining the strengths of the UK’s most-awarded production company with a world-class distributor, we fund, create, distribute and commercialize world-class content for the BBC and other UK and international companies. Our aim is to inspire audiences around the globe with quality content that informs, educates and entertains and to strengthen the BBC, our partners and wider industry both creatively and financially. We seek to be the best British content company in the world; a first-choice partner and employer, where everyone can flourish and do their best work.

Brands and Licensing

Brands & Licensing is responsible for developing and deepening fan engagement to commercialize our IP content. This includes exploring digital growth opportunities for the business, looking at innovative licensing models and driving value from BBC Studios’ world-famous brands such as Doctor Who, Bluey, Top Gear, Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing With The Stars and BBC Earth. We run global businesses from live events to merchandise through to music and magazine publishing. We are right at the heart of helping BBC Studios identify opportunities for growth and future proof its success through scaling digital business models such as social media monetization and gaming through our new business division to identify the business models of the future. On top of that we are the center of global data and do world class marketing to ensure BBC Studios brands generate fame globally.

We really understand the business we are in and know how to drive impact and growth through smart and innovative partnerships. We live and breathe as one cohesive team with greatspirit and an inclusive approach to everything we do that draws our the best of each of us. Welcome to Brands & Licensing

Job Purpose

From toys to apparel to games, and much more, BBC Studios Brands & Licensing brings characters to life at retailers throughout North America. The Hardlines Consumer Products team oversees the hardlines licensing partnerships for BBC’s diverse brand portfolio, which encompasses Bluey, Doctor Who, BBC Earth, and more. As the Manager in this role, you will oversee and grow licensed ancillary toy partnerships to ensure successful product development and launch. Your responsibilities will include supporting the Director of Hardlines in driving the master toy business, negotiating and implementing deals with new or renewing licensees, managing quarterly revenue budgets, and growing your own existing account base.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Support Director of Hardlines with master toy partnership in order to meet and exceed our long-term brand plans and financial goals.
• Define clear financial objectives and strategic business plans for each of your product categories.
• Analyze and negotiate potential business deals for profitability and strategic fit, presenting compelling pitches to stakeholders. 
• Lead quarterly business forecasts and reviews to assess sales performance against budgetary goals. Monitor and analyze sales results, providing actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for licensees, supplying them with essential information and resources to drive product development and retail expansion.
• Foster strong collaboration with various internal teams including Consumer Products, Creative Development, Finance, Operations, Retail, Brands, and Legal to ensure cohesive execution of business strategies.
• Lead daily communication with Creative Development to coordinate all product development benchmarks and expedite requests to maintain workflow efficiency.
• Collaborate with Retail Development teams to monitor product performance in the market, addressing any challenges proactively.
• Handle day to day relationship with licensees and internal regional leads.
• Oversee the negotiation and execution of licensing agreements.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of industry trends and competitive landscape.
• Maintain weekly updates with internal and external collaborators to track performance, address issues and launch strategies.
• Ensure licensees deliver product line appropriate for core category, brand objectives, and market trends. 

Scope & Impact

• Relationships – Proven ability to excel in an account management role
• Strategic Planning & Decision Making – Will follow strategic plans and decisions made by management for each individual brand being represented.
• Problems Faced – Ensuring growth and strength of franchise while managing creative challenges and roadblocks
• Planning and Organization – Will build and manage a category rollout and expansion chart and manage contact list for ever growing roster of licensees
• Working Contacts (pertains to whom the position will be working w/ internally ie. Global offices) –
• From time to time, will engage and share highlights and best practices with Consumer Product leads globally to ensure we’re working in line with global strategies and supporting each other’s endeavors.
• Marketing/Brand team to ensure all recent sales points and franchise updates are being communicated to licensees
• Creative teams to ensure all proper approvals or RUSH requests for product and other promotional materials
• Retail Team to ensure licensees are up to date on all major retail initiatives and are actively pitching product/programs for all key seasons annually
• Legal Team to execute NDAs, deal memos and long form agreements

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• Professional Experience: Minimum 3+ years of experience in licensing, retail, sales, or the consumer products industry
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree 

Competencies/Skills: 

o Licensing or Account Management Experience 

o Good understanding of BBC brand position (Bluey, Doctor Who, etc.) and retail environment

o Strong understanding and knowledge of the Toy industry preferred

o Goal setter to meet department objectives 

o Feels comfortable working independently and collaboratively on a team

o Leads or contributes to complex projects and develops solutions

o Flexible and able to adapt to diverse projects and competing priorities

o Able to creatively solve problems with an out of the box mentality

o Strong presentation, written and verbal communication skills

o Strong time management skills and organization

o Personal skills: Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

o Domestic travel may be required

Compensation

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $100,000 – $110,000k. This does not include other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and geographic location of the position.

Benefits and Perks

• Benefits and Perks
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical and Dental Insurance (PPO plans)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Flexible, Hybrid Working Arrangements
• Work/life balance
• Free Retirement Consulting to All Employees
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Gym Reimbursement

About the BBC

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles.

The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

BBC Studios

Bold. British. Creative: that’s BBC Studios. Combining the strengths of the UK’s most-awarded production company with a world-class distributor, we fund, create, distribute and commercialize world-class content for the BBC and other UK and international companies. Our aim is to inspire audiences around the globe with quality content that informs, educates and entertains and to strengthen the BBC, our partners and wider industry both creatively and financially. We seek to be the best British content company in the world; a first-choice partner and employer, where everyone can flourish and do their best work.

Brands and Licensing

Brands & Licensing is responsible for developing and deepening fan engagement to commercialize our IP content. This includes exploring digital growth opportunities for the business, looking at innovative licensing models and driving value from BBC Studios’ world-famous brands such as Doctor Who, Bluey, Top Gear, Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing With The Stars and BBC Earth. We run global businesses from live events to merchandise through to music and magazine publishing. We are right at the heart of helping BBC Studios identify opportunities for growth and future proof its success through scaling digital business models such as social media monetization and gaming through our new business division to identify the business models of the future. On top of that we are the center of global data and do world class marketing to ensure BBC Studios brands generate fame globally.

We really understand the business we are in and know how to drive impact and growth through smart and innovative partnerships. We live and breathe as one cohesive team with greatspirit and an inclusive approach to everything we do that draws our the best of each of us. Welcome to Brands & Licensing

Job Purpose

From toys to apparel to games, and much more, BBC Studios Brands & Licensing brings characters to life at retailers throughout North America. The Hardlines Consumer Products team oversees the hardlines licensing partnerships for BBC’s diverse brand portfolio, which encompasses Bluey, Doctor Who, BBC Earth, and more. As the Manager in this role, you will oversee and grow licensed ancillary toy partnerships to ensure successful product development and launch. Your responsibilities will include supporting the Director of Hardlines in driving the master toy business, negotiating and implementing deals with new or renewing licensees, managing quarterly revenue budgets, and growing your own existing account base.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Support Director of Hardlines with master toy partnership in order to meet and exceed our long-term brand plans and financial goals.
• Define clear financial objectives and strategic business plans for each of your product categories.
• Analyze and negotiate potential business deals for profitability and strategic fit, presenting compelling pitches to stakeholders. 
• Lead quarterly business forecasts and reviews to assess sales performance against budgetary goals. Monitor and analyze sales results, providing actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for licensees, supplying them with essential information and resources to drive product development and retail expansion.
• Foster strong collaboration with various internal teams including Consumer Products, Creative Development, Finance, Operations, Retail, Brands, and Legal to ensure cohesive execution of business strategies.
• Lead daily communication with Creative Development to coordinate all product development benchmarks and expedite requests to maintain workflow efficiency.
• Collaborate with Retail Development teams to monitor product performance in the market, addressing any challenges proactively.
• Handle day to day relationship with licensees and internal regional leads.
• Oversee the negotiation and execution of licensing agreements.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of industry trends and competitive landscape.
• Maintain weekly updates with internal and external collaborators to track performance, address issues and launch strategies.
• Ensure licensees deliver product line appropriate for core category, brand objectives, and market trends. 

Scope & Impact

• Relationships – Proven ability to excel in an account management role
• Strategic Planning & Decision Making – Will follow strategic plans and decisions made by management for each individual brand being represented.
• Problems Faced – Ensuring growth and strength of franchise while managing creative challenges and roadblocks
• Planning and Organization – Will build and manage a category rollout and expansion chart and manage contact list for ever growing roster of licensees
• Working Contacts (pertains to whom the position will be working w/ internally ie. Global offices) –
• From time to time, will engage and share highlights and best practices with Consumer Product leads globally to ensure we’re working in line with global strategies and supporting each other’s endeavors.
• Marketing/Brand team to ensure all recent sales points and franchise updates are being communicated to licensees
• Creative teams to ensure all proper approvals or RUSH requests for product and other promotional materials
• Retail Team to ensure licensees are up to date on all major retail initiatives and are actively pitching product/programs for all key seasons annually
• Legal Team to execute NDAs, deal memos and long form agreements

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• Professional Experience: Minimum 3+ years of experience in licensing, retail, sales, or the consumer products industry
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree 

Competencies/Skills: 

o Licensing or Account Management Experience 

o Good understanding of BBC brand position (Bluey, Doctor Who, etc.) and retail environment

o Strong understanding and knowledge of the Toy industry preferred

o Goal setter to meet department objectives 

o Feels comfortable working independently and collaboratively on a team

o Leads or contributes to complex projects and develops solutions

o Flexible and able to adapt to diverse projects and competing priorities

o Able to creatively solve problems with an out of the box mentality

o Strong presentation, written and verbal communication skills

o Strong time management skills and organization

o Personal skills: Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

o Domestic travel may be required

Compensation

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $100,000 – $110,000k. This does not include other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and geographic location of the position.

Benefits and Perks

• Benefits and Perks
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical and Dental Insurance (PPO plans)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Flexible, Hybrid Working Arrangements
• Work/life balance
• Free Retirement Consulting to All Employees
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Gym Reimbursement

About the BBC

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles.

The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

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