Senior Licensing Manager

Find a job that lets your imagination run wild!

WildBrain CPLG is a world-leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency with 20 offices worldwide. Since 1972 we have been providing our partners with dedicated licensing and marketing professionals and fully integrated retail, creative & product development, legal and accounting services.

We are looking to add to our talented team of innovators that can help us manage some of the most profitable and enduring brands in the world! We believe that our partnerships are about clarity, openness, and trust. We are widely known for our no-nonsense, straightforward approach. Come join us!

About the role

WildBrain CPLG is looking for a Senior Licensing Manager, with a good level of Japanese language proficiency, to work closely with our Commercial Team! Reporting to the SVP, APAC, the role is responsible for developing and executing a long-term business strategy to help build a sustainable business that achieves annual revenue targets. You will be responsible for identifying the best licensees to partner with, negotiating agreements, driving innovative and quality product ranges, providing input into Global deals, accurate quarterly forecasting and promoting retail sell-in of ranges.  You will have detailed knowledge of retail landscape and the ability to interface with senior corporate personnel as well as with senior and mid- level client contacts. You will be a creative, strategic thinker with strong business acumen, comfortable operating in complex environments.

• Identify and secure new licensing opportunities in accordance with agreed licensor strategies
• Fill category/product type gaps and achieve specific revenue goals and annual growth for the territory/region
• Be the primary commercial contact for your licensees and manage the day-to-day licensing business; may include financials, contracts (new deals, amendments, and renewals), account management and relationship building, product strategy, category and market analysis, trend forecasting and data for retail placement
• Oversee and maximize new/renewal contract negotiations ensuring terms meet the company requirements and overall business objectives; up to the point of contract realization
• Work across multiple brands, building trusted relationships with our licensing partners, licensors as well as all other stakeholders internally and externally
• Drive and be part of an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit within the territory and regional offices; partner effectively with product development, marketing, finance, legal, and other teams
• Manage complex accounts with multiple opportunities across different functions with forecast and budgetary accuracy, serving as the primary customer contact
• Resolve any challenges faced by clients and deal with issues quickly and efficiently in a professional manner
• Manage current licensees to maximize revenue generation per contract by having regular business reviews across different functions to ensure forecast and budgetary accuracy, serving as the primary Business contact

• Good level of Japanese language proficiency
• Experience in sales, problem solving and providing solutions based on clients’ needs; may need demonstrable experience specifically in fashion/hardgoods/softlines/marketing depending on territory
• Proven experience of supporting clients within licensing industry an asset
• Strong networking, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build strong relationships at all levels
• Excellent organisational skills, working to deadlines and delivering on KPI’s
• Outstanding customer service skills 
• An innovative and creative manager/salesperson
• Entrepreneurial spirit and can communicate at all levels
• Good verbal and written skills in English, preferred.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Travel required

Hybrid work

Employees work in a hybrid model balancing collaboration in our office and remote work.

What We Offer

Working at WildBrain is more than a job — it’s the opportunity to join forces with extraordinary, insightful and imaginative people who will recognize your talents and encourage your professional growth and development in a work environment that promotes creativity and individuality. 

Our Commitment

Diversity and Inclusion are in our DNA. As a global leader in kids and family entertainment, we strive to reflect and honour the diversity of our audiences around the world. We believe that creating diverse and inclusive content & brands begins with fostering a culture of belonging at WildBrain. To us, a culture of belonging is one where we celebrate and welcome the diversity of all employees, stakeholders, and external partners and strive to create an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and brings their authentic self to work.

We demonstrate our commitment to this by striving to provide a supportive work environment and a corporate culture that welcomes and encourages equal opportunities for all employees. We recognize that people bring experience and talent that goes beyond the technical skills and requirements of a job. If you possess similar experience that is close to what we’ve listed here, we encourage you to please still consider applying. We strongly believe that diverse experience, transferable skills, and passion are key! WildBrain accommodates people with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs known in advance if accommodation is required.

About WildBrain:  a parent company of Wildbrain CPLG

At WildBrain we inspire imaginations through the wonder of storytelling. As a leader in 360° IP management, we are experts in content creation, audience engagement and global licensing, cultivating and growing love for our own and partner brands with kids and families around the world. With approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our library—one of the world’s most extensive—we are home to such treasured franchises as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi. WildBrain’s mission is to create exceptional entertainment experiences that captivate and delight fans both young and young at heart.  

Our studios produce such award-winning series as The Snoopy Show; Snoopy in Space; Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City; Sonic Prime; Chip and Potato; Teletubbies Let's Go! and many more. Enjoyed in more than 150 countries on over 500 platforms, our content is everywhere kids and families view entertainment, including YouTube, where our network has garnered over 1 trillion minutes of watch time. Our television group owns and operates some of Canada’s most-viewed family entertainment channels. WildBrain CPLG, our leading consumer-products and location-based entertainment agency, represents our owned and partner properties in every major territory worldwide.   

WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at wildbrain.com.