Licensing Manager

Job Purpose:

The licensing Manager will be responsible for licensing sales across certain categories and brands from the Walker books portfolio. This will include developing (together with the EVP) licensing sales strategies and responsibility for delivering the goals identified as part of these strategies. Sales responsibility will include the sales process from initial brand strategy to identifying and pitching potential clients, concluding the deal whilst negotiating the best possible commercial terms for each license and working with the Business affairs team on finalising each agreement.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Working with the EVP in planning the category roll-out schedule for each brand by year, identifying the target licensees and respective timings for UK retail.
• Working with EVP on setting budgets by brand, territory and category
• Develop sales materials and brand plans for licensing sales
• Negotiating the deal terms to achieve the agreed category and budgetary targets.
• Managing and supplying licensees with regular updates.
• Assisting licensees in retail meetings.
• Provide key licensing deal information to in house colleagues and external agents/authors and illustrators
• Facilitate brand licensee days for key properties.
• Working closely with the marketing, designers, publishers and illustrators to identify new brand licensing opportunities
• Identifying the international territories where an international licensing agent should be appointed to manage a specific brand. Manage the respective agents.
• Work with the in house and external PR teams to ensure trade and consumer press releases are timely.
• Work closely with the EVP to determine annual brand plans, that ensure the category roll-out schedule remains aligned with the overall brand objectives Organise Walker stand and other arrangements for BLE.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Work with the EVP on ensuring Walker Licensing is best represented at the key UK and international trade fairs- Eg UK Toy Fair, Bologna, Vegas Licensing Expo 
• Monitor follow-through to ensure success from licensee design to instore execution

Skills, Knowledge & Experience: 

• Experience of negotiating the commercial aspects - of licensing agreements
• Demonstrable organisational skills and self-discipline
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• B2B sales and presentation skills at a high level

Personal Specification:

• Willing to travel within the UK
• Flexibilty and Adaptibility
• Professional and Postive communication, both internally and externally.