Description
Summit Brands Group is the next generation of brand licensing agencies, agile, strategic, and built to deliver world-class results. We combine legal precision, commercial intelligence, and creative thinking to elevate brands through partnerships that last.
We operate across three core sectors: fashion, sports, and automotive—building culturally relevant, commercially powerful licensing programmes for globally recognised brands. Our mission is simple: protect the brand, unlock its value, and drive strategic growth.
At Summit, we are redefining what a licensing agency can be: sharper in strategy, stronger in execution, and fully committed to the long-term success of every partner we work with.
We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Senior Licensing Manager to join our growing London team. This is a pivotal role for an ambitious licensing professional with strong category knowledge, established industry relationships, and the ability to lead programmes end-to-end.
You will take ownership of key brand portfolios, drive category expansion, lead negotiations, and shape commercial strategy while working closely with senior leadership. This role requires a mix of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, relationship management, and hands-on execution.
As a senior member of the team, you will play an important role in developing client strategy, mentoring junior colleagues, and contributing to the continued growth of Summit’s licensing business.
As Senior Licensing Manager, you will:
Strategy & Commercial Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of licensing strategies across multiple brands and categories.
- Identify and quantify commercial opportunities, build business cases, and drive category growth.
- Oversee P&L for assigned categories, ensuring revenue targets, forecasting accuracy, and programme performance.
- Conduct market, competitor, and consumer analysis to inform brand and category strategy.
Partner & Client Management
- Manage key licensee relationships, acting as the primary point of contact for strategic and commercial discussions.
- Drive partner performance through joint business planning, product strategy, and revenue optimisation.
- Lead brand presentations, seasonal briefings, and business reviews with partners and internal stakeholders.
Business Development
- Proactively identify new partner prospects and lead outreach, pitch development, and negotiation processes.
- Collaborate with leadership on deal structures, commercial terms, and long-term partnership planning.
- Close deals that align with brand strategy, quality standards, and revenue growth objectives.
- Work closely with legal teams on contracts, renewals, and compliance.
Team & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Mentor and support junior members of the licensing team, providing guidance and knowledge-sharing.
- Work collaboratively across design, marketing, commercial, and legal functions to drive operational excellence.
- Represent Summit at trade shows, partner meetings, and industry events.
Requirements
- 4–7+ years of experience in brand licensing, brand management, or consumer product partnerships.
- Proven track record of securing and managing licensing deals from prospecting to contract execution.
- Strong understanding of commercial modelling, forecasting, and category strategy.
- Confident negotiator with experience structuring commercial terms and driving partner performance.
- Strong industry network and awareness of trends across fashion, sports, lifestyle, or adjacent consumer sectors.
- Highly organised, able to manage multiple categories and partners with precision.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of representing brands with confidence and authority.
- Strong presentation skills, with experience preparing and delivering pitch decks and business reviews.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel & PowerPoint essential); design tool familiarity is a plus.
- A degree in Business, Marketing, Fashion, Law or a related field is beneficial but not required.
