Manager, Licensing

Centric Brands•New York, NY

3d•$85,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company’s future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together. Licensing With a portfolio that includes licenses for more than 100 iconic brands - from Calvin Klein® to Tommy Hilfiger®, Nautica®, Spyder®, Kate Spade®, Michael Kors®, Timberland®, and Kenneth Cole®, Disney®, Marvel®, Nickelodeon®, and Warner Brothers®, Centric Brands provides a breadth of scope and opportunity few can match. Our Licensing team is looking for someone with the drive, experience and unstoppable enthusiasm to help us leverage the power and potential of our licensed brands. Centric Brands is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Licensing Manager to support our Kids’ Division across a portfolio of world-class brands, including Calvin Klein, Under Armour, Tommy Hilfiger, Off-White, Izod, Nautica, and others. This role serves as a core liaison between Centric and our brand partners, ensuring flawless execution of all contractual, operational, and creative requirements. The ideal candidate is experienced in licensing contracts, royalty reporting, brand management, and cross-functional coordination. They must be comfortable representing Centric directly with licensors and driving day-to-day execution on multiple brands in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

3–5+ years of licensing experience , preferably in fashion, apparel, or consumer products.
Strong understanding of licensing contracts, royalty structures, and reporting requirements.
Experience managing approval processes, brand guidelines, and retail marketing assets.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with confidence in presenting to licensors.
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple brands simultaneously.
Strong Excel proficiency; ability to interpret sales reports, financial data, and contract terms.
Team-oriented, proactive, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, licensing, merchandising, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Licensor Relationship Management Serve as a primary point of contact for licensors across the Kids’ portfolio. Lead regular touch-base meetings and business reviews with brand partners. Maintain strong, collaborative relationships by providing timely updates, reports, and solutions. Ensure brand integrity and alignment with licensor expectations across all categories.
Contract Management & Compliance Review and interpret licensing agreements, amendments, and contractual obligations. Ensure all teams (Sales, Planning, Finance, Design, Marketing) are aligned with contract requirements including distribution, account approvals, royalty rates, caps, and product categories. Monitor compliance with brand standards, legal requirements, and audit support.
Reporting & Financial Support Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for licensors, including sales performance, shipments, and doors. Assist in compiling royalty reports and ensuring accuracy of data submitted. Support financial analysis needed for business reviews, reforecasts, and renewal negotiations. Track and maintain licensor marketing spend requirements and budgets.
Brand Management & Creative Approvals Oversee and track all design submissions for approval, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with brand guidelines. Manage the approval lifecycle across design, packaging, marketing, and product development. Track, organize, and maintain approval documentation and communication threads. Partner with Design and Product Development teams to ensure product concepts, assortments, and storytelling are aligned with licensor expectations.
Point-of-Sale & Retail Marketing Manage licensor approvals for POS assets, retail marketing materials, in-store signage, and digital marketing. Coordinate with Sales, Creative, and Marketing teams to ensure timely delivery of required assets. Track and organize marketing calendars, seasonal initiatives, and licensor-required submissions.
Cross-Functional Partnership Collaborate closely with Design, Sales, Production, Compliance, Planning, Marketing, and Executive Teams. Communicate key deadlines, approval timelines, and contractual requirements across teams. Help coordinate seasonal milestones and ensure internal teams are adhering to licensor calendars.
Operational Coordination Maintain account approval lists, licensed distribution lists, and restricted channels per contract. Track samples and ensure all sample requirements for licensors are met. Support audit processes by gathering documentation, tracking claims, and coordinating with Finance.