Manager, Inbound Licensing - Business Dev.

Manager, Inbound Licensing – Business Development & Partnerships

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Licensing Business Development
• 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.

• Deal Negotiation & Structuring
• 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.

• Contract Management
• 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.

• Partner Relationship Management
• 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.

• Cross-Functional 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) to ensure internal teams understand partner contract terms and rights.
• Provide clear visibility into deal requirements, renewals, and obligations.

• Market Research & Strategic Insights
• 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.

• Reporting & Financial Management
• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Key Competencies

• Deal Leadership: Strong negotiator who can structure and secure complex agreements.
• Strategic Mindset: Identifies high-value opportunities and aligns them to company goals.
• Business Acumen: Understands category economics, retail drivers, and brand fit.
• Relationship Builder: Develops trust-based partnerships with licensors and internal stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures contract accuracy and compliance across all terms.
• Proactive & Entrepreneurial: Driven to uncover and build new opportunities.

Salary

$110,000.00 - $120,000.00 /year