Manager, IP Licensing & Business Development – China

What You’ll Do

This role will support the growth and management of Authentic’s character IP portfolio in China, with responsibilities spanning both Business Development and Brand Management. If you’re a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of IP and a creative, commercial mindset, we’d like to meet you.

The ideal candidate combines a strong commercial mindset with hands-on character IP and licensing experience. You will be responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities, driving licensing deals from prospecting through closing, and managing partnerships after signing to ensure successful execution and long-term growth.

You will also support the development and execution of brand strategies in China, working closely with licensees, retailers, marketing partners and internal teams to build culturally relevant and commercially successful programs for our character IP portfolio.

What You'll Be Working On 

Business Development & Partnership Growth

• Develop new licensing and commercial opportunities for Authentic’s character IP portfolio in China across relevant product categories, retail channels and strategic collaborations.
• Leverage an established industry network to proactively identify and introduce high-quality prospective licensees, retailers, brands and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified business opportunities aligned with each IP’s brand strategy and commercial objectives.
• Identify key decision makers, establish relationships and develop compelling partnership proposals tailored to prospective partners.
• Lead the licensing deal process from initial discussion through proposal, commercial negotiation, term sheet and contract execution.
• Work closely with internal Business Development, Legal, Finance and Brand teams to structure commercially attractive and strategically appropriate partnerships.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing partnerships into new categories, channels, programs or collaborations.

Brand Strategy & Brand Management

• Support the development and execution of China market strategies for assigned character IPs, translating global brand direction into locally relevant commercial opportunities and activations.
• Develop a strong understanding of each IP’s positioning, target consumer, storytelling, style guidelines and key brand priorities.
• Serve as a key day-to-day contact for assigned licensees and partners following deal execution.
• Guide licensees on brand positioning, style guidelines, product direction, marketing initiatives and partnership requirements.
• Coordinate with internal and global teams on product, creative and marketing approvals to ensure projects are delivered on-brand and on schedule.
• Manage multiple licensee projects and timelines simultaneously, proactively identifying issues and driving projects toward successful execution.
• Partner with licensees to develop launch plans, retail programs, marketing activations and other initiatives that strengthen consumer engagement and brand visibility.
• Monitor licensee performance and partnership health, identifying challenges as well as opportunities for further growth.

Partnership Success & Market Development

• Take an end-to-end view of partnerships, ensuring that signed deals translate into successful products, launches, marketing programs and sustainable business.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with licensees and understand their business needs, capabilities and growth priorities.
• Connect partners where appropriate to create broader brand ecosystems across licensing, retail, marketing, content and collaborations.
• Stay closely connected to China consumer, retail, character IP and licensing trends and translate market insights into actionable opportunities.
• Monitor competitive character IPs, emerging partners, category trends and relevant cultural moments to identify new areas of growth.
• Represent assigned IPs internally and externally as a knowledgeable brand and commercial partner.

What You will Need

• 5+ years of relevant experience in character IP licensing, brand management, business development, consumer products or related fields in China, with demonstrated experience in character, entertainment, lifestyle or consumer IP commercialization.
• Strong existing network across China’s licensing ecosystem, including licensees, consumer brands, retailers, agencies and strategic partners, with the ability to originate new business opportunities.
• Proven full-cycle business development experience, including prospecting, pitching, commercial negotiation and closing licensing or partnership deals.
• Hands-on experience managing licensees and partnerships after deal signing, including execution, long-term partnership growth, product and marketing approvals, and brand governance.
• Familiarity with character IP style guides and product development and approval processes.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple partners, categories and timelines, and a good understanding of China’s retail, e-commerce, social media and consumer landscape.
• Ability to work effectively across local, regional and global teams in a fast-paced international environment; fluency in Mandarin and strong professional English communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; willing and able to travel as required.