Manager, Strategic Licensing Partnerships

Ford • Dearborn, MI

21h • $115,500 - $218,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Strategic Licensed Partnership Manager is a pivotal new role dedicated to expanding Ford's presence as a lifestyle brand through high-visibility, cross-category partnerships. Working with the Head of Global Licensing and an extensive network of internal stakeholders, this position will be instrumental in bringing to life our global brand strategy, focusing on executions that resonate with our "Build, Thrill, and Adventure" lifestyle audiences.
In this role, you will be the primary architect and driver of Ford's most exciting, high-profile consumer product collaborations (focused on apparel, but extending into gaming, digital, lifestyle gear, and more). We need a confident, extroverted strategist who has the persuasive power to "win a room" and make teams comfortable being uncomfortable as we push the boundaries of authentic consumer collaborations at Ford. If you have a natural, tuned-in pulse on cultural trends, a fearless vision, and a passion for protecting and elevating brands, this is your opportunity to forge a high-impact path for your career and have fun doing it.
This role is critical for capitalizing on the growing market opportunities for strategic collaborations, leveraging licensing to forge unique, positive brand momentum and deliver on the idea that 1+1 can equal 3 when done right. By leading the charge on complex, high-profile projects, this role will creatively drive significant strategic royalty revenue growth and enhance Ford's brand equity across lifestyle categories.
You may not meet every single requirement, but if you have a tuned-in pulse on culture and trends, are highly motivated, and are a positive leader with a passion for doing cool things, we’d love to talk to you.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Business Administration, Communications).
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in sales, brand management, or business development roles.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with significant brand and revenue impact, with the ability to navigate large-scale organizations, identify key decision-makers, and gain approvals across diverse internal teams.
• Proven ability to lead negotiations, manage contract flows, and cultivate strong relationships with high-profile external partners.
• Strong working knowledge of brand strategy, marketing principles, and consumer engagement tactics.
• A natural, demonstrated pulse on cultural trends: You know what brands are emerging, what younger generations care about, and how to spot "the next big thing" in lifestyle spaces (fashion, gaming, digital).
• Demonstrated history of strong project management skills and the ability to deliver against tight timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including creative, legal, and product teams.
• Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience specifically within strategic partnerships, brand collaborations, or licensing management (consumer products, automotive, fashion, or entertainment) is highly preferred.
• Extensive relationships and understanding of internal Ford skill teams and key stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify, prospect, and persuasively pitch high-impact, culturally relevant brand collaborations.
• Lead the negotiation and contract flow of these complex licensing agreements (4–6 activations annually) to ensure favorable and compliant terms.
• Serve internal teams with excitement and expertise on trends & culture.
• Maintain a clear pulse on emerging lifestyle, fashion, digital, and gaming trends, translating those insights into collaboration opportunities that introduce Ford to younger generations.
• Collaborate closely with Ford's internal brand teams to identify key objectives (such as improving consideration and awareness with growth audiences).
• Ensure an authentic connection to nameplates and brand values, and own the point-of-view to strategically approve or decline opportunities.
• Land a consistent, long-term collaboration strategy with Build, Thrill, and Adventure brand audiences.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans for high-impact partnerships, coordinating cross-functional internal teams (Brand, Communications, Social, Design, Product Development, and Legal) to ensure seamless execution from concept through launch and activation.
• Serve as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the Ford side.
• Work with our agency to prospect best-in-class partners, optimize existing relationships, deliver strategic brand collaborations, support key brand moments, and launch programs at retail.
• Represent Ford by attending industry events, partner meetings, and tradeshows.
• Oversee brand collaboration extensions linked to core vehicle workstreams when applicable (e.g., Carhartt Super Duty, Filson Bronco).
• Monitor, analyze, and report on the performance and impact of collaborative partnerships (including revenue generation, brand impressions, and market feedback) to inform future strategy and demonstrate ROI.
• Create and own a clear "Post-Mortem" process to accelerate team learning.
• Identify and manage a collaboration budget to tactically amplify authentic storytelling and ensure the maximum marketing impact of our partnerships.
• Foster unique and resonant brand alliances globally across all Ford IP, combining strategic vision with meticulous project execution and a deep understanding of brand partnerships.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree