Director, Licensing, NYT Wirecutter

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for. About the RoleWirecutter is a product review website owned by The New York Times Company that rigorously tests consumer products and then recommends the best items in a range of categories. We're a group of experts and fanatics who love what we do, and the discerning readers we attract appreciate our integrity and editorial independence. Wirecutter has built a tremendous business on an affiliate model, growing audience and revenue year over year.Wirecutter is looking for a Director of Licensing to build and scale our licensing business, grounded in the strength of our brand, accolades, and journalism.This leader will be responsible for developing Wirecutter's licensing strategy, managing relationships with partners and vendors, and building new licensing products that help partners tap into Wirecutter's authority while protecting our editorial independence and standards. They will oversee day-to-day licensing operations and work closely with colleagues across Revenue, Editorial, and Legal.As Director of Licensing, you will report to Wirecutter's Executive Director, Revenue Strategy.This hybrid position is based in the New York office.Responsibilities:Set the licensing strategy and roadmapDefine the strategy and roadmap for Wirecutter's licensing business, aligned with Wirecutter's long-term growth goals and The New York Times Company's broader licensing portfolio.Manage licensing operations and partnershipsOwn day-to-day operations of the licensing business.Manage relationships with key licensing vendors, relay Wirecutter strategy so they can operate successfully on our behalf.Develop new licensing products and growth opportunitiesDesign and launch new licensing offerings that deepen partner value and expand Wirecutter's footprint.Work with internal and external partners to build business cases, set pricing, and evaluate the performance of new products over time.Design and maintain a robust suite of resources so teams across the business have the clarity, context, and tooling they need to work confidently and consistently.Protect the brand and partner with EditorialPartner closely with Wirecutter editorial leadership and Standards & Ethics to ensure all licensing programs respect editorial independence, safeguard reader trust, and use our name, marks, and content appropriately.Measurement, insights, and continuous improvementEstablish clear KPIs and reporting for the licensing business and regularly communicate performance, business risks, and opportunities for growth to stakeholders.Use performance data, partner feedback, and market insights to refine our licensing product set, partner mix, and go-to-market approach.Lead and develop the licensing functionBuild and manage a small licensing team and/or vendor relationships; set clear goals/roles, and nurture the team's professional development, learning and growth.Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-accountability culture that encourages thoughtful experimentation and strong cross-functional partnership.Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.Basic Qualifications:10+ years of experience in licensing, brand partnerships, business development, or related fields, ideally within media, consumer brands, technology, or other IP-driven businesses.Proven track record of growing a licensing or partnerships business through new products, categories, or partners.Experience working closely withcross-functional teams on contracts, brand guidelines, and complex partner programs.Ability to translate company and brand goals into clear licensing strategies, product roadmaps, and operational plans.Preferred Qualifications:Comfort operating in ambiguity, building structure where needed, and balancing long-term growth bets with near-term revenue delivery.Strong communicator and relationship builder, with experience influencing senior stakeholders and external partners.Deep curiosity about the evolving media, commerce, and licensing landscape, and how trusted brands can show up in new contexts and formats.A reader-first mindset: committed to protecting Wirecutter's editorial independence and reader trust while unlocking ambitious, mutually beneficial commercial opportunities.Commitment to building an inclusive team culture where diverse perspectives are actively welcomed and shape strategy and execution.REQ-020060Additional Compensation and BenefitsFor roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s), a company-matching 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs. For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process.The annual base pay range for this role is between:$160,000—$180,000 USDCandidate Use of GenAI Tools:We’re excited to learn more about you and your experience. To keep our hiring process as fair and authentic as possible, we ask that you submit your own work and not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process.If you’re an Engineering candidate, we’ll let you know what specific GenAI tools you are permitted to use for your technical assessment.The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. 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