Lead Licensing & Retail Manager – USA

THE COMPANY

Our client is an internationally established children's entertainment and animation business, producing and distributing globally recognised content enjoyed by millions of families worldwide.

With a flagship children's IP that has achieved significant success across digital platforms, streaming and international broadcasting, the business has built a strong global audience and an established network of licensing and consumer products partners.

The company is now focused on accelerating its commercial growth in the US, translating its digital success into greater physical retail presence through consumer products licensing, strategic partnerships and new retail opportunities.

With significant potential to expand its footprint across the American market, this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing new revenue streams, building relationships with leading US licensees and retailers, and bringing internationally recognised children's IP to a wider consumer audience.

THE ROLE

The Senior Commercial Licensing & Partnerships Manager will play a key role in identifying and developing new commercial opportunities across the company’s portfolio of brands and intellectual property.

This is a broad, entrepreneurial role focused on looking beyond the core toys and games business to identify new ways to build brands, reach consumers and generate additional revenue streams.

Key responsibilities:

• Identify and secure new licensing and consumer products opportunities across the US, developing relationships with licensees and strategic partners across key categories.
• Build and manage relationships with major US retailers, identifying opportunities for product listings, retail programmes, promotions, direct-to-retail partnerships and cross-category initiatives.
• Develop and implement retail strategies, working closely with licensees and partners to establish and expand the brands' presence in the US market.
• Proactively build a pipeline of new commercial opportunities across licensing, retail, brand collaborations and strategic partnerships.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations, taking opportunities from initial pitch through to contracting and launch.
• Work closely with licensees, agents and internal teams to develop category strategies and go-to-market plans.
• Support US content distribution opportunities, identifying potential broadcasters, streaming platforms and other content partners, coordinating pitches and supporting commercial discussions.
• Identify opportunities to connect content, consumer products, retail and marketing through integrated partnerships that strengthen brand awareness and commercial performance.
• Represent the business at relevant US industry events, licensing shows, retail meetings and partner presentations.
• Monitor market developments, consumer trends and the competitive landscape to identify new routes to market and opportunities for growth.

THE PERSON

You will be an experienced licensing, consumer products, retail development or commercial business development professional with a strong understanding of the US children's entertainment, toys, family brands or character licensing market.

You will bring an established network across relevant US licensees and retailers, alongside a proven track record of identifying, developing and closing new commercial opportunities. Experience working with broadcasters, streaming platforms or content distribution partners would also be advantageous.

Commercially driven and proactive, you will be confident opening doors, negotiating agreements and building long-term relationships with senior stakeholders. You will combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, taking ownership of opportunities from initial conversations through to execution.

Above all, you will be a natural business developer who thrives on creating opportunities rather than simply managing existing accounts. You will be comfortable working independently within an international business and motivated by the opportunity to help grow established brands in one of their most important markets.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Searchlight only advertises active roles
• Your details will be sent directly to the Consultant who is handling this role
• We aim to respond to candidates within 14 days.

If this role isn’t quite right, but you would like us to have your CV on file, please send it to sroffice@searchlight.global.

Searchlight strives to promote equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.