Director, Licensing

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
 

Bravado is a diverse team of passionate people who connect artists and brands through innovative products, and curated experiences for fans around the world. Bravado is a global merchandise company, providing a broad scope of services, including eCommerce, Tour, VIP, Fan Clubs and Retail Branding. Bravado works in close partnership with both emerging artists and the biggest superstars in the music industry, to help ensure their brand reach the most fans globally.

Our products are being sold through the artist’s official e-commerce shops, through online marketplaces and in thousands of retail and etail locations around the world. We also service our artists on the road, providing merchandise and VIP experiences at live shows. We take great pride in constantly finding new ways to push innovation through products and partnerships. The company maintains offices in London, Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, Paris, Tokyo and Sydney.

How you’ll LEAD:

Part of the Universal Music Group, Bravado lives at the crossroads of music and fashion. We understand the power of smart merchandising, and we know how to create products that spark organic, emotional connections between fans and artists. Our world class capabilities have made us the leading provider of consumer, lifestyle and brand management services around the world. With teams in 40 countries, we create a tailored approach for every project; from creating new spaces in the market to bringing an artist’s creative vision to life. Bravado is about building brands and legacies that live on, beyond the music.

The Director, Licensing is at the forefront of where music meets the licensed world within the fashion space. In an enviable position of being able to represent many of the world’s biggest acts, assisting in developing Bands into Brands and placing their licensed opportunities with some of the world’s biggest and best companies and Licensees.

The Director, Licensing will be responsible for leading and managing Licensed Out opportunities for the artists on Bravado’s roster - focused on Branded Apparel, Footwear, Streetwear and Sports; overseeing additional product category opportunities as fits needs of the business. Ensuring our artists are responsibly represented; and product and licensed opportunities are maximized so that their fans and consumers are constantly engaged with new and innovative interactive moments; that deliver on product and purchasing potential. Delivering industry leading artist and licensed collaborations that engage with artists fans and brand and retail consumers alike.

How you’ll CREATE:

Be Organized

• Managing deals and deadlines for internal and external parties.
• Managing forecasts with licensed partners.
• Managing partners making sure targets are met, and accounts developed and grown.
• Managing the process of deals, across deal memo’s, contracts and approvals and delivery into the marketplace with full support on marketing of projects.

Be Analytical

• Own all information and financials for all deal memo’s, delivering to required levels.
• Forecasting for internal departments and teams.
• Delivering quarterly sales numbers, across revenue targets.
• Updating quarterly licensing reports.
• Tracking all current and proposed deals, keeping all updated and ensuring all are adhered to in a timely manner.
• Ability to understand complex deal proposals and contracts, and to represent the business in all discussions.

Be Collaborative

• Developing, maintaining, and growing relationships is fundamental to success. For all internal and external relationships across all levels and departments.
• Working with the Vice President, Global Licensing & Brand Partnerships, to ensure that the annual budget for Licensing is delivered, with specific plans to drive significant year on year incremental growth.
• Development of Licensing strategy along with Vice President, Global Licensing & Brand Partnerships. Take direct ownership in implementing the strategy into the marketplace. Targeting key categories and Licensees to partner.
• Present Bravado and Bravado’s Artists to potential partners and identify new Licensing opportunities for artist management approval.
• Building and managing relationships with Licensee’s, Brands & Companies as key partners with Bravado.
• Providing License partners with all support needed, across assets and all information.
• Regular meetings with current and prospective Licensee’s to present new artists/ranges/style guides.
• Developing relationships with customer marketing contacts to deliver and execute campaigns to maximize sales and drive sell-thru at retail.
• Work with UK and US based Brand Management teams on deals and approvals. And keep informed of all artists activity and knowledge of key dates.
• Represent Global Licensing in key Label meetings, digitial and in person. Work closely with Brand Management, Artist Liaison, and key personnel at Republic, Def Jam, Island & Verve to support Label and Artist wider UMG initiatives.
• Work in tandem with Bravado Finance Team to ensure Licensee payments are made within contractually agreed terms.
• Work closely with Bravado Legal Team, be the liaison and conduit between Bravado and Licensee’s for contract drafting, negotiations and approvals.

Be Creative

• Working with UMG Communications Team, other UMG depts. and Licensee’s to develop and deliver marketing plans for licensed projects.
• Working with Brand Management and Creative Teams in support of providing assets.
• Briefing in new projects to the Creative Team.
• Understand artists and their audience, then match these with the most suitable opportunities.
• Flexible and adaptive approach to new trends and business opportunities in the constantly changing landscape. Bring the new, adopt and adapt from best practice examples in the industry.
• Understand our consumer, by keeping on top of competitors, retail, consumer and licensing trends and presenting and communicating findings to the wider Bravado team.

Bring your VIBE:

• Passion for music, an understanding of the evolving music landscape across artists and their fans

• Demonstrable experience in a senior Brand or Licensing level role within North America and Globally.
• Very high level of attention to detail across all areas.
• Equipped with a proactive and forward-thinking mindset.
• Proven track record of planning forecasting & budgeting. Can create effective plans, working on ways to achieve them with predictability & orderly results.
• Knowledge and experience of managing large scale Licensed businesses with the ability to drive and grow business even further by development of Partnership Strategy.
• Strong analytical skills, high level of proficiency of Excel, and strategic thinking. Can build a long-term plan, and work to implement it.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with a very high level of negotiation skills. Ability to create and present compelling presentations.
• Established relationship-building skills. Persuasive and influential when engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to make rational judgements from the available information, by demonstrating an inquisitive and analytical approach.
• Open to and strong willingness to travel, both North America and international. Be seen, meeting Record Labels, Artist Management, Licensee’s, Brands and Companies where they work, visiting stores and attending trade shows and other industry events.
• Collaborative and supportive, works well as part of a team.
• Goal and target driven and focused. Wants to win and achieve as part of the team. Breaks down barriers and overcomes challenges to deliver results.
• Knowledge of North American and Global Licensing landscape. Already equipped with contacts and ready-made relationships with influential North American businesses in the Licensed market.

Perks Playlist:

• Be part of an entrepreneurial, global organization that values authenticity, drive, creativity, relationships, and a competitive spirit

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA options, as well as:

  • 100% coverage for out-patient mental health services

  • Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)

  • A lifetime fertility support allowance of $30,000 to plan participants

  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement

  • 100% immediately vested 401(k) match on the first 5% of your contribution on eligible compensation

• Variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:

  • Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees

  • 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees

  • 2-weeks paid Winter Break

  • 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)

  • Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)

  • Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent

Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.

Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.

Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Job Category:

Salary Range:

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, 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 the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.  All candidates are encouraged to apply.