Manager, Inbound Licensing - Business Dev.

MGA Entertainment, Inc.•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Manager, Inbound Licensing – Business Development & Partnerships is responsible for driving the business-side growth of MGA Entertainment’s inbound licensing portfolio. This role sources, evaluates, negotiates, and secures new inbound licensing partnerships that bring third-party IP into MGA’s brands and product lines. The Manager serves as a key dealmaker—managing prospecting, outreach, financial modeling, deal negotiations, contract execution, and relationship development. This role partners closely with the VP of Inbound Licensing to expand MGA’s access to high-value IP, unlock new business opportunities, and support the long-term licensing strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Licensing, Marketing, or related field.
5–7 years of experience in inbound or outbound licensing, partnerships, business development, or deal negotiation.
Proven track record negotiating licensing or commercial agreements.
Strong understanding of licensing terms, contracts, and financial modeling.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deals at once.
Experience working with Legal, Finance, and Executive-level stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience in consumer products, entertainment, toys, gaming, youth brands, or retail-driven categories.
Understanding of IP management and rights usage across marketing, product, and creative applications.
Familiarity with royalty reporting and revenue forecasting.

Responsibilities

Identify, evaluate, and pursue inbound licensing opportunities aligned to MGA’s brand, category, and portfolio strategies.
Conduct outreach to potential partners and manage early-stage conversations.
Assess fit, risk, and business potential for new IP partnerships.
Support the VP in developing category expansion strategies through inbound licensing.
Lead negotiation of inbound licensing deal terms, including: Royalty structures, Guarantees and advances, Term length, Territory and channels, Rights granted, Categories and product segments.
Partner with Finance and Category teams to build business cases and revenue projections.
Ensure deal structures support profitability and portfolio goals.
Work with Legal to shepherd contracts from term sheet to full execution.
Ensure all terms are accurately reflected, including rights, timelines, approvals, and financial obligations.
Track renewals, amendments, expirations, and key contractual milestones.
Maintain organized contract files and deal records for the department.
Serve as a primary point of contact for new and existing inbound licensing partners on business-related topics.
Build strong relationships across partner brand, legal, and licensing teams.
Represent MGA in discussions around business terms, future opportunities, and portfolio expansions.
Support ongoing lifecycle management of partners, ensuring mutually beneficial collaboration.
Partner closely with: Franchise (brand strategy alignment), Category/Planning (product roadmaps, financials), Marketing & Activation (campaign implications and usage rights), Creative (asset rights, style guide access), Legal (contracts, rights, compliance).
Ensure internal teams understand partner contract terms and rights.
Provide clear visibility into deal requirements, renewals, and obligations.
Monitor industry trends, competitor licensing activity, and emerging IP opportunities.
Analyze categories, retailers, and consumer behavior to identify whitespace openings.
Bring forward data-backed recommendations for new inbound licensing targets.
Track financial performance of inbound licensing deals, including royalties and guarantees.
Prepare deal summaries, partner scorecards, and business performance updates.
Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning for the inbound licensing pipeline.