Director, Licensed Publishing
About The Position
Chronicle Books is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director of Licensed Publishing to lead the commercial licensing strategy and portfolio management for key licensed publishing partnerships. This high-visibility role, located in San Francisco or New York City, serves as the central business lead for licensor relationships, negotiations, renewals, business reviews, franchise intelligence, and cross-functional coordination across Chronicle’s licensed publishing activity. The Director partners closely with publishing, marketing, sales, finance, and contracts to support brand-authentic and distinctly Chronicle licensed programs across books, stationery, gift, games, and adjacent categories. This role is ideal for a commercially savvy, partnership-focused leader who can bring structure, clarity, and strategic discipline to Chronicle’s growing licensed publishing portfolio while partnering effectively across creative and commercial teams.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in brand/licensing management, publishing, or consumer products, with at least 3–5 years managing high-level licensor partnerships.
- Proven success negotiating licensing contracts and developing licensed product strategies across a range of categories.
- Strong understanding of the publishing industry, including illustrated, children’s, and gift formats.
- Experience developing and marketing products for a wide range of audiences—children, YA, and adults.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and creative environment.
- Passion for design-driven products and being an ambassador for Chronicle Books’ publishing.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with licensor brands such as Disney, Pixar, LEGO, Star Wars, Netflix, Nintendo, etc., a strong plus.
Responsibilities
- Own and manage licensor business relationships with high-profile entertainment, gaming, lifestyle, and media brands, serving as the lead point of contact.
- Negotiate and manage licensing contracts, including new agreements, renewals, amendments, and terms that align with Chronicle’s business and creative goals.
- Identify and evaluate new publishing opportunities in collaboration with editorial and creative teams—leveraging market insights, consumer trends, and licensor priorities.
- Partner closely with editorial to shape the licensed publishing roadmap across all age groups and formats: children’s books, adult books, stationery, games, lifestyle products, and gift.
- Partner with finance to review new and ongoing business, establish financial frameworks and benchmarks for licensed publishing company-wide.
- Inform retail strategy for key licensed brands by synthesizing licensor priorities, franchise timing, market developments, and cross-category opportunities, in close partnership with Sales and Marketing leadership and relevant external partners.
- Partner with sales and marketing teams at Chronicle to create and execute go-to-market strategies and retail campaigns that leverage licensor strategies, optimizing visibility and performance at key retail channels including independent bookstores, mass market, specialty, international markets and [C1] online.
- Collaborate across Chronicle Books, Galison, CB Toys & Games, and other relevant business areas to identify, evaluate, and coordinate cross-company licensing opportunities where there is clear strategic and commercial benefit.
- Working closely with Finance, monitor performance metrics and deliver regular business reviews and strategic updates to licensors and internal stakeholders.
- Stay attuned to the competitive landscape, industry trends, and emerging IP across publishing and consumer product sectors.
- Create and maintain brand one-sheets for internal teams
- Present go-to-market and brand partnership opportunities to internal and external stakeholders
- Collaborate with sales channel leaders to plan specific account-by-account pitches and programs
- Build relationships with other brand licensees on marketing and retail collaborations
- Liaise with internal marketing and publicity point people on seasonal and product-specific plans and opportunities
Benefits
- Chronicle Books offers a full suite of benefits, including but not limited to: medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, a profit share plan, three weeks of paid vacation to start, two weeks of sick time per year, and company holidays, including a paid winter break between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, paid family, maternity, and paternity leave, commuter benefits, long-term disability insurance, annual tuition assistance, annual wellness stipend, and more.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
