Global Licensing Manager

Work Location: Remote (Flexible working hours)

Work Arrangement: 12 Months Maternity Cover

Summary: 

This role will focus on the Hershey’s holistic Global Licensing businesses, both food and general merchandise, in all regions outside US and Canada.

The Global Licensing Manager will work closely with the Director, Outbound Global Licensing to execute the Hershey’s Global Licensing strategic plan for all non-US/Canada licensing business.  This position leads the strategic and tactical execution between Hershey, our 30+ licensee partners, and contracted regional support (when applicable) necessary to manage planning, product development, program executions, and reporting that meet Hershey’s business and strategic goals for for the Global Licensing business. 

This position will support development of Global Licensing strategy and will be integral in the execution of such strategy across the globe, including accountability for achieving income growth and business results, continually developing and managing the global licensing partners portfolio and implementing growth strategies, including new business opportunities, for predictable, profitable and sustainable growth.

This position will manage relationships with all non-US/Canada Licensees.  In some regions (such as Europe/ANZ) this management will be through direct engagement however this position will be also have responsibility for managing efforts of contracated agency partners in LATAM (Tycoon) and Asia North (Estuary) who will represent Hershey’s licensing interests in those regions..  Additionally, position will oversee occasional agency engagements in other ROW locations supporting on-strategy new business development opportunities.  Ongoing responsibilities will include contracting, business planning, innovation/product development, ingredient sourcing, product/asset approvals, reporting and compliance. 

This individual will work very closely with Hershey’s Regional teams to ensure involvement and alignment (as necessary) to licensing activities. 

The position is constantly monitoring the external licensing environment including general industry trends and has a keen understanding of the licensing industry to leverage internal and external information sources to identify trends and growth opportunities. 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

Lead daily execution of Global Licensee portfolio with responsibility for:

• Achieving annual revenue targets
• Ensure execution of all contractual obligations, product & packaging development, awareness of all brand information and development, on-going support and direction of licensee through frequent written, oral and on-site communications
• Maintain awareness of all key brand information and communicate to licensed partners through frequent written, oral and on-site communications
• Managing the product development approval process with internal and external partners to ensure deadlines are achieved.
• Ensure timely and accurate forecasting, reporting, and payment obligations of licensees

Global Licensing Strategic Plan

• Support annual strategic planning process for global portfolio
• Influence ongoing strategy review and implementation via local insights and market factors 

Global Hershey Business Alignment

• Build and leverage relationships and maintain ongoing communication with local Hershey teams regarding Licensing strategy and activity within their region

Knowledge, skills and abilities required:

• Strong skills in Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to wide breadth of audiences
• Strong organization skills with attention to detail
• Strong presentation skills
• Thorough understanding of negotiation and marketing strategies and tactics
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment and comfortable in exercising judgment to take calculated risk
• Ability to facilitate agreement between internal and external business partners
• Understanding of legal contracts and ability to effectively collaborate with internal legal counsel
• This position may involve occasional travel

Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or marketing
• 8-15 years of professional experience
• Experience managing global business activities
• Experience in brand management, licensing industry or consumer goods preferred
• Experience working with creative, sales, and/or QA is ideal
• Experience in BrandComply is an advantage