Licensing Manager

Licensing Manager

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. (BNEA) embraces the idea of Fun For All Into the Future, where anything is possible for our fans and team, using technology and innovation to create the most memorable and genuine experiences around our brands. Creativity is at the heart of all we do, and our talented team works collaboratively to deliver unparalleled levels of insights to inform strategy and strengthen our outcomes. The Licensing Manager at Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is responsible for executing the overall licensing brand strategy for all core gaming IPs for The Americas territories and any potential international merchandise licensing programs. This role entails day-to-day account management, negotiation of licensing deals, partner compliance, tracking of licensing budget and targets, communication with master licensor and domestic/overseas affiliates as well as ensuring brand integrity is in alignment with the Bandai Namco objectives and guidelines. Join us at our new campus in Irvine, California where a hybrid work schedule will be observed.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage licensee deals through their full lifecycle, ensuring contractual compliance, launch execution, and ongoing commercial performance
• Collaborate closely with Licensing department leadership to support the determination of strategic objectives and contribute to the overall revenue growth of the IP Licensing departmental goals.
• Maintain a pulse on current and emerging patterns and trends in the video game industry, possessing deep knowledge of modern gaming, retailer insight, sales lifecycles, line planning, trends and play patterns, identifying new business opportunities.
• Analyze existing licensee businesses via sales comparisons, forecasts, and competitive analysis on a quarterly basis and communicate insights to department leadership.
• Engage with cross-functional teams and other Bandai Namco affiliated international territories in cross-functional matters such as participating in weekly approval meetings to ensure alignment and direction.
• Support sales planning and financial alignment by consolidating projections and validating quarterly results with licensee partners.
• Contribute to new Licensee recruitment, which includes participating in blue sky ideation, incremental business opportunity identification, trend research, and overall market analysis.
• Develop style guides for each brand by collaborating with internal and external stakeholders such as the Creative Services team and master licensors.
• Collaborate with the eCommerce team to develop a linear promotional strategy for Bandai Namco stores and other major eCommerce retailers to support and grow business.
• Prospect for new Licensees, prepare and present pitches, prepare sales materials, presentations/decks and ad-hoc reports/requests.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Business Administration, Communication, or related Field or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in licensing or related industry experience
• Strong proficiency in reviewing licensing contracts and fluency in negotiating key business terms
• Demonstrated knowledge of the video game industry
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including experience developing clear and effective presentation decks.
• Strong teamwork skills, experienced with effectively collaborating with other stakeholders.
• Ability to be adaptable in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

Salary Range $80,000.00 - $110,000.00 annual Actual base salary will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, but not limited to, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs. The salary range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees and it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.