Licensing Programs Manager

Job Purpose: 
To provide leadership for the implementation of the Scouting America's licensing activities and programs.

Job Summary: 
Manages and advances the organization’s licensing programs by integrating strategic brand, marketing, and merchandising objectives into internal and external licensing initiatives. Oversees a broad portfolio of licensees, retailer, and business partner relationships to drive brand growth, consumer engagement, retail expansion, and licensed product sales. Develops and maintains strategic partnerships to support the successful creation, placement, distribution, and performance of licensed products while ensuring alignment with organizational values and brand standards.

Essential Functions: 

• Manages the day-to-day administration and operational oversight of the licensing program, including new licensee acquisition, contract renewals, agreement negotiations, performance management, and relationship development.
• Oversees the development, merchandising, and commercialization of licensed product assortments that align with brand values and strategic priorities. Partners with licensees to drive consumer engagement, product innovation, and category growth.
• Develops and executes merchandising and licensing strategies that support brand awareness, consumer acquisition, revenue growth, and expansion into new retail and distribution channels.
• Identifies whitespace opportunities and supports licensed product placement across mass retail, specialty, sporting goods, e-commerce, and other emerging channels to expand market presence and accessibility.
• Manages a broad and complex licensing portfolio consisting of more than 100 licensee and business partner relationships, ensuring strong collaboration, performance, and alignment with brand objectives.
• Influences licensed product sales through strategic licensing initiatives, merchandising direction, retail placement opportunities, and ongoing business partner management.
• Develops licensing proposals, category strategies, and business case presentations to support partnership development, negotiation opportunities, and organizational growth objectives.
• Conducts competitive market analysis, trend research, and category reviews to identify growth opportunities, inform strategic decisions, and enhance market competitiveness.
• Develops strategies and activation plans to strengthen and reconnect the brand with consumers, members, and new audiences through licensed products and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with merchandising, legal, marketing, compliance, and business stakeholders to support licensing initiatives, including licensing-in opportunities involving third-party intellectual property.
• Ensures compliance with licensing agreements, brand standards, trademark usage guidelines, and product approval requirements to protect brand integrity and consistency.
• Performs other job-related duties assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or a related field.   
• 6+ years of experience in licensing, as a licensor, is required
• Experience with nonprofit licensing preferred
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
• Knowledge of operational decision making, strategic decision making, and business acumen
• Skill in compelling communication to drive for results, building internal and external partnerships, building customer loyalty, and motivated self-starter that takes initiative. 
• Knowledge of Scouting America programs preferred
• Resides within driving distance of office location in Charlotte, NC

Position is hybrid; 3 days in-office, 2 days remote .

Salary Range : $90,000 - $130,000 depending on experience.

Scouting America is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship.