Licensing Manager

Licensing Manager

POP MART, founded in 2010 (SEHK: 9992), is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. Through global artist development, IP operations, designer toy culture evangelism, and strategic investments, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain, allowing artists to focus solely on their craft and giving stage to talent from all over the world. With 4,000 employees worldwide, POP MART has successfully set foot in more than 23 countries and regions, serving a diverse audience of cultural pioneers and art fans.

Job Overview

The Licensing & Merchandising Manager will support the North America Licensing team in all aspects of licensing management, including both inbound and outbound partnerships. This role is responsible for the administrative, operational, and strategic components that ensure the successful execution of licensing agreements. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Beyond maintaining smooth operations, this role will play a key part in tracking and analyzing licensing agreements, identifying growth opportunities, supporting business development initiatives, and collaborating with internal teams to align licensing strategies with brand objectives. This position is crucial to driving efficiency, strengthening relationships with licensees and licensors, and contributing to the company’s growth in the North American market.

What You Will Achieve

Contract, Financial & Compliance Oversight

• Support contract negotiations in collaboration with the Head of Licensing and the Legal department, ensuring favorable terms for inbound and outbound licensing deals.
• Manage contract compliance, tracking key dates, marketing budgets, and royalty reporting.
• Work in partnership with Accounting & Finance to monitor incoming and outgoing payments, ensuring timely and accurate transactions.
• Assist in negotiating audit findings and ensuring financial compliance with partners.

Partner & Relationship Management

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with licensees and licensors to ensure alignment with brand values and objectives.
• Track and analyze licensing agreements, ensuring compliance, optimizing partner performance, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Creative, Marketing, and Legal, to successfully implement licensing programs.
• Ensure all licensed products meet brand and quality standards.

Creative & Product Development Support

• Oversee approval processes for both inbound and outbound licensing opportunities, acting as a liaison between internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop pitch decks, presentations, and marketing materials that showcase IPs and licensing opportunities.
• Stay informed on trends in pop culture merchandise and location-based experiences to identify new product opportunities.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Maintain all documentation and processes related to licensing and merchandising, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Provide support for day-to-day licensing operations, ensuring smooth execution across departments.

Strategic Growth & Business Development

• Define and analyze new business opportunities to expand licensing and brand partnerships.
• Develop and implement growth strategies across multiple channels, identifying key partners to support new category penetration.
• Conduct ongoing market research to track innovations, industry trends, and competitor activity, providing strategic recommendations based on findings.
• Work alongside the Marketing team to support new initiatives and product launches.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Streamline internal processes related to forecasting, reporting, and partner communication.
• Analyze existing business, including sales forecasts and performance metrics.
• Prepare and present regular reports for overseas HQ, including insights on sales, partner performance, and competitive market analysis.

What You Will Need

• Experience: 5-7 years of experience in licensing, merchandising, brand management, or a related field. Experience in both inbound and outbound licensing preferred.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Licensing, Merchandising, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Organizational Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, track licensing agreements, and ensure compliance with contract terms.
• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze sales data, forecast trends, and conduct market research to identify new business opportunities.
• Financial Acumen: Experience working with financial reports, royalty tracking, and budget management in partnership with finance teams.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external partners.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to maintain accurate records, track licensing agreements, and ensure compliance with all contract terms.
• Collaboration: Experience working cross-functionally with Creative, Marketing, Legal, and Finance teams to align licensing strategies.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to identifying challenges and developing solutions to improve licensing operations and partner performance.
• Technology Proficiency:
• Required: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Nice to Have: Experience with Microsoft PowerPoint, project management tools, and licensing/royalty tracking software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with licensing trends, retail landscapes, and consumer product categories.
• Experience preparing reports and presentations for senior leadership or international headquarters.
• Understanding of intellectual property, brand protection, and contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of industry-standard licensing processes, including forecasting, approvals, and royalty reporting.

What We Offer

• Market-competitive packages: we provide 401k, health insurance, PTO leave, paid sick leave, and family leave, etc.
• Opportunities to learn and lead: we provide on-the-job training to ensure employees are equipped with the most up-to-date skill sets and knowledge
• Career development: we work with you to advance your career through short-term assignments, and new experiences, etc.

*POP MART is committed to equal pay initiatives and will not ask candidates for their current or past salary.

**As an Equal Opportunity Employer, POP MART does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law.