Licensing Director (Niles)

Impassioned…Emboldened…Infinitely Curious: The Bradford Group family of brands is a world leader in new product development. We have been selling joy for the last 50 years! Our global organization consists of business divisions ranging from jewelry, apparel, collectible coins, home decor to holiday and so much more. We concept, create, design and market our creative products directly to our customers, and leverage licenses with the biggest names in entertainment and sports to bring unique and curated products to our customers across the globe.

The Bradford Group is seeking a strategic, results-driven Licensing & Art Acquisition Director to lead the negotiation, development, and management of licensing partnerships that drive business growth and enhance our portfolio of brands and intellectual property.

In this highly visible role, you will oversee the negotiation and administration of licensing agreements involving trademarks, characters, artwork, and music, while ensuring brand integrity and compliance across the organization. You will cultivate strong relationships with licensors, prospective partners, and internal stakeholders, identify opportunities to expand existing partnerships, and develop compelling business proposals that support long-term growth. The ideal candidate combines strong legal and licensing expertise with exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and has a genuine passion for art, collectibles, and pop culture.

This is an on-site leadership position requiring a collaborative, hands-on approach and a commitment to being in the office beyond the standard three-day minimum as business needs require.

How you will contribute:

• Negotiate, draft and review agreements relating to intellectual property, including characters, trademarks, art, and music.
• Execute with Excellence: Manage effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of organization, detail, responsiveness, and follow-through.
• Ensure Brand Compliance: Implement and communicate brand guidelines to ensure colleagues and co-workers consistently executes the Licensor's creative and strategic direction.
• Manage Renewals: Lead and execute renewals with existing licensors while identifying opportunities to expand and strengthen existing partnerships.
• Build Strong Partnerships – internally and externally: Develop and maintain productive relationships with licensors, prospective partners, internal stakeholders, and other key business partners.
• Deliver Presentations: Develop compelling presentations, business plans, and strategic proposals to support new business development and existing partner growth.
• Monitor performance under license agreements; prepare sales projections for licensors
• Assist with royalty audits, including coordinating with Finance and drafting communications to auditors

What you will bring and skills that excite us:

• Bachelor's and law degree required
• Minimum 5 to 8 years of experience in licensing and/or intellectual property law.
• This is an on-site position and is not eligible for remote work. Candidates should be willing to work in the office more than the current minimum requirement of three days per week, as business needs dictate.
• Proven track record and strong professional experience
• Demonstrated understanding of supporting cross-corporate stakeholders or clients with effective negotiating and drafting license agreements and effectively communicating to the stakeholders during a prolonged period of development.
• Creative thinker with the ability to develop compelling presentations, business plans, and strategic proposals.
• Excellent verbal, written, communication, and presentation skills.
• Highly motivated with a relentless drive to achieve results
• Have a passion for pop culture and art
• Be focused and disciplined to work independently
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong organizational, project management, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong computer proficiency and working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Bradford at a glance:

• Our scale: We have over 250 employees based out of our global headquarters right outside of Chicago, we have marketing operations in over 10 countries worldwide and have over 32 million customers served.
• Compensation and benefits: We offer a competitive compensation plan and great benefits, with some benefits starting from day 1!
• We own the company: Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) which allows you to not only derive the benefits of working as an employee at The Bradford Group but also gain the benefits of being an owner.
• Professional Development: There is always room to learn! We offer a Professional Development Program, a Mentor Program, and LinkedIn Learning to our teams as well as additional hands-on training and development. Our teams utilize a continuous performance management and development structure for feedback. We meet quarterly to focus on the future!
• Our values: Honesty. Innovation. Respect. Teamwork. Giving back. These are just some of the core values that drive our team members. Our team strives to build a culture of continuous feedback where anyone can share and create our “next big idea,” among diverse and inclusive teams.
• Flexibility and wellness: Whether it’s offering hybrid environment (onsite/remote) for our corporate staff, to a generous, front-loaded PTO and holiday package to all staff and corporate wellness initiatives such as an onsite fitness center, we are committed to our team members well-being. New hires start with 16 days of PTO and 8 paid holidays per year.
• Perks and more: We have a Business Casual Work Environment, Health and Dental Insurance, Vision, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), Direct Deposit, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Referral Bonus Program, 401(k), Profit Sharing, Tuition Reimbursement, and Toastmaster’s memberships, a Peer Recognition Program, Product Discounts and more!

The Bradford Exchange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.