Licensing Manager

Central London location (Hybrid – 3 office days per week). Some international travel will be required. Full-time.

Company Description

Coolabi is a leading, PE-backed Kids & Family entertainment company focused on building publishing-led IP into global multi-platform franchises. Its portfolio includes globally recognised brands, spanning publishing, television, digital, gaming, licensing and consumer products. Warrior Cats has sold 90m+ books, has the 4th biggest branded game on Roblox of all time with over 730m plays. Its first toy range launched in the US across Walmart, Target, and other retailers to great success, with an International roll out happening through 2026. A new animated Warrior Cats series has just been greenlit with Tencent Video, and will be available on Disney+ and Disney Channels outside of China. Meanwhile, Beast Quest has sold 20m+ copies, is relaunching with a new publishing partner in 2027, and has a major animated TV series in advanced development. In addition to these flagship brands, Coolabi has over 200 additional IPs in its stable. Our latest property to be adapted for TV is the Lady Grace Mysteries, which launched on the BBC in May 2026, and has already had a second season commissioned. The business is entering a major new growth phase, with investment in franchise expansion across television, gaming, digital audience development and global licensing.

The Opportunity

This is a new role reporting to the EVP, Licensing and Merchandising. The Licensing Manager role will work as part of a small dynamic team, incorporating product development and design/approvals. The role will also work closely with the franchise, social and digital teams. Coolabi Licensing works with a network of global agent partners to drive long term and sustained business growth across all licensed properties, through agent, licensee and retail relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead trustful and profitable long-term partnerships with each local licensing agent, continuously challenging them on delivering against agreed local business growth plans.
• Work with the Product Development teams to ensure that category strategies are in line with trend and brand needs, and that all partners are driving innovation to maximise brand growth.
• Ensure Coolabi as a preferred licensor of choice with each local agent, key local licensees and retail partners.
• Ensure that agents have the latest brand information and design assets by working closely with the Coolabi franchise and design teams.
• Contribute to annual budget planning and quarterly forecasting process across all partners.
• Monitor and work against financial targets and budgets and ensure the agent and its partners are delivering against those agreed financials.
• Regularly monitor and analyse markets and available data and insights, directly and through the local agents.
• Maintain status reports per agent, covering licensee details, retail listings and future category plans to be shared internally.
• Participate in major strategic meetings as required.

Ideal Candidate

You will need to be self-motivated, organised, with a strong attention to detail, action-orientated with superb presentation, storytelling and networking skills. You must have a passion and enthusiasm for brands within core target groups of children/teens and fandoms, and the ability to communicate that both internally and externally. You should have the ability to multi-task and pivot in a very busy environment.

Experience and Skills

• 5+ years of experience in licensing in the consumer products industry.
• Proven track record of negotiating and managing licensing agreements, and a complete understanding of the full process.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Strong Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel skills.
• Experience of working with agents internationally or within an agency will be seen as preferential.