VP, Licensing

Michael Kors

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Michael Kors is always interested in hearing from talented, globally-minded individuals with a passion for fashion. If you enjoy working in a creative, fast-paced environment, then we would love to hear from you! — Who You Are: You are a strategic, collaborative leader with deep experience building and scaling global licensing businesses for iconic brands. You understand how to balance creativity with commercial impact, and you know how to develop partnerships that feel authentic to the brand while driving meaningful growth. You are comfortable operating at a global level, influencing senior stakeholders, and setting a clear vision for the future of licensing at Michael Kors. You bring a holistic view of brand, product, marketing, and distribution, and are energized by the opportunity to shape the next chapter of Michael Kors’ licensing portfolio. What You’ll Do: Set and lead the global licensing strategy for Michael Kors across categories, partners, and regions. Develop long-term category roadmaps that strengthen brand positioning while unlocking new revenue opportunities. Build and manage senior-level partnerships with global licensees, ensuring alignment with brand vision, product quality, and commercial objectives. Oversee the licensing P&L, including forecasting, financial performance, and reporting to senior leadership. Partner closely with cross-functional teams across brand, product development, marketing, merchandising, and regional teams to ensure cohesive go-to-market execution. Lead and coordinate cross-category special projects, collaborating with multiple teams to drive execution and achieve strategic goals. Identify and evaluate new collaboration and strategic partnership opportunities aligned with overall company strategy and brand priorities. Negotiate new licensing agreements and evolve existing partnerships to support innovation, expansion, and long-term growth. Guide product launches and category transitions, ensuring thoughtful planning, strong brand storytelling, and operational excellence. Strengthen processes and ways of working to improve collaboration, visibility, and efficiency across the licensing ecosystem.

Requirements

Significant experience leading global licensing for a consumer brand, ideally within fashion, accessories, beauty, or lifestyle.
A proven track record of building and managing high-impact licensing partnerships with global organizations.
Experience owning a P&L and driving commercial strategy at a division or category level.
Strong negotiation skills and comfort navigating complex deal structures.
Ability to influence across multiple functions and regions, including senior leadership and external partners.
A strategic mindset paired with strong executional discipline.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with premium or luxury brands in a global environment.
Background across multiple licensing categories (e.g., eyewear, fragrance, watches, beauty, accessories).
Experience evolving or modernizing a licensing portfolio to reflect changing consumer expectations.
A thoughtful leadership style with a focus on collaboration and brand stewardship.
Passion for the Michael Kors brand and an understanding of what makes it distinctive in the market.

Responsibilities

Set and lead the global licensing strategy for Michael Kors across categories, partners, and regions.
Develop long-term category roadmaps that strengthen brand positioning while unlocking new revenue opportunities.
Build and manage senior-level partnerships with global licensees, ensuring alignment with brand vision, product quality, and commercial objectives.
Oversee the licensing P&L, including forecasting, financial performance, and reporting to senior leadership.
Partner closely with cross-functional teams across brand, product development, marketing, merchandising, and regional teams to ensure cohesive go-to-market execution.
Lead and coordinate cross-category special projects, collaborating with multiple teams to drive execution and achieve strategic goals.
Identify and evaluate new collaboration and strategic partnership opportunities aligned with overall company strategy and brand priorities.
Negotiate new licensing agreements and evolve existing partnerships to support innovation, expansion, and long-term growth.
Guide product launches and category transitions, ensuring thoughtful planning, strong brand storytelling, and operational excellence.
Strengthen processes and ways of working to improve collaboration, visibility, and efficiency across the licensing ecosystem.