Hybrid Licensing Director

at ABRAMS

• Job title: Licensing Director
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $95,000 - $100,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, New York City, United States

About the role

• Licensing Director at ABRAMS leading acquisition and development of publishing partnerships. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to build licensed publishing programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the acquisition process for licensed brands across the Adult and Kids lists, from opportunity evaluation through negotiation and execution.
• Collaborate with the Head of Brand Strategy to align licensing opportunities with overall brand architecture, consumer targets, and business goals.
• Identify new licensing opportunities and pitch proactive publishing partnerships that fit Abrams’ editorial and brand vision.
• Work with editorial to manage timely renewals, explore new formats, and build multi-title or multi-format programs with existing partners.
• Own the creation of relevant licensed brand pitch materials, business reviews, roadmaps and other relevant brand licensing reports.
• Serve as brand licensing program lead and liaison across legal, contracts, finance, editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, and subsidiary rights.
• Partner with finance on forecasting, business reviews, and performance reporting.
• Collaborate with subsidiary rights and international teams to ensure global licensing clarity and alignment.
• Help define and implement best practices in licensing deal structures and workflow.
• Cultivate and maintain high-profile relationships with licensors and brand stakeholders.
• Represent Abrams at key industry events and communicate insights back to the team.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure licensed titles are positioned for success across retail, publicity, and marketing.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in licensing, preferably spanning both publishing and entertainment/media sectors.
• Strong deal-making, negotiation, and contract experience (publishing contracts a plus).
• Deep familiarity with the entertainment licensing ecosystem and key players.
• Proven ability to own and manage multiple complex projects across functions and timelines.
• Collaborative and communicative leadership style, with experience navigating cross-functional environments.
• Excellent presentation, organizational, and relationship management skills.
• Strategic mindset with a passion for brands, storytelling, and pop culture (including film, TV, gaming, comics, and toys).
• Assertive and direct approach, with a strong focus on results and driving action.
• Leadership experience managing or influencing teams in fast-paced, creative environments.

Benefits

• Generous paid holidays and Summer Fridays.
• Company-paid year-end office closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day each year
• Comprehensive health benefits, including short-term and long-term disability.
• Retirement savings (401k) and life insurance.
• Vacation, Personal, and Sick time off.