Licensing Manager, Softlines (Peanuts Worldwide) at Sony in New York, NY

Job description

Join our Peanuts Worldwide team to make us part of your story! The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 80% owned by the Sony Group, and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz. First introduced to the world in 1950 in the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV, fans of all ages celebrate the brand around the world through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. Peanuts recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary with unprecedented worldwide exhibitions and activities, collaborations, digital marketing campaigns, and more. POSITION SUMMARY Peanuts Worldwide, LLC is seeking a Licensing Manager, Softlines. Reporting to the VP of Global Softlines, the Licensing Manager, Softlines will lead the day-to-day management and growth of assigned domestic softlines categories. This role will own licensee relationships and category performance, identify and secure new business opportunities, lead deal negotiations, and partner cross-functionally to deliver commercially successful products that support Peanuts' brand and business objectives. This position will be on a Hybrid schedule with 2 days per week in the NYC office. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Manage Peanuts licensees in the following categories: Sleepwear, Health and Beauty Aids Develop and execute growth plans for assigned categories, identifying, pitching, evaluating, and securing new licensees against defined revenue targets and annual growth objectives. Manage day-to-day business for assigned categories, including financial performance, contract management, category analysis, product development, and retail placement. Oversee contract negotiations for new deals, amendments, and renewals, recommending commercially sound terms that meet company requirements and advance overall business objectives. Maintain market knowledge of assigned categories, competitive activity, consumer trends, and the retail landscape; translate insights into actionable business recommendations. Partner with the VP, Global Softlines to shape and implement category strategies across all levels of retail and e-commerce, aligning priorities with broader brand and revenue goals. Monitor licensee performance against contractual obligations, sales targets, and quality standards; identify risks and opportunities, drive corrective actions, and communicate business results and recommendations to leadership. Domestic travel is required. Honesty, trustworthiness and ethical conduct are material requirements for the responsibilities outlined above QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION Your qualifications and experience should include: 7+ years of progressive experience in the licensing industry, including ownership of sales and/or brand management responsibilities and demonstrated accountability for business results Bachelor’s Degree preferred Demonstrated success pitching properties, securing new business, negotiating complex deal points, and independently managing licensee relationships; experience in character or entertainment licensing preferred Proven track record of building and establishing strong relationships and industry contacts across softlines categories; established retail relationships are a plus Proficient in MS Office programs (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) Motivated self-starter who demonstrates strong initiative, creativity and excellent work ethic Flexible team player with positive attitude and ability to work collaboratively across the company Strong organizational skills and ability to think strategically to complete tasks in a timely fashion Strong attention to detail and a high level of administrative organization Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal skills Problem s