At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global syndication and licensing, driving revenue through strategic partnerships and complex negotiations.
- Company: Join a prestigious media organisation known for its high-quality journalism and data.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of content distribution and enhance brand integrity.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the media industry while working with top-tier partners.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in syndication, licensing, and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Requirements
- Significant commercial experience in syndication, content licensing, media partnerships, IP licensing, or adjacent B2B2C subscription/data/content businesses
- Proven track record owning and growing a multi-million-pound revenue line, including renewals and complex negotiations
- Experience leading teams (people management plus setting direction and operating cadence)
- Strong understanding of rights frameworks (territory, term, formats, exclusivity, usage, derivatives/adaptations)
- Expert negotiator with strong commercial judgement and strategic thinker
- Operationally strong: forecasting, KPI design, CRM/pipeline discipline, and process improvement
- Confident senior stakeholder manager - able to influence exec-level stakeholders with clarity and diplomacy
- Excellent written and verbal communication; able to turn complexity into crisp decision points
- High integrity and strong alignment with The Economist’s editorial standards and brand values
- Highly reliable and consistent: delivers on commitments, runs a dependable operating cadence, and is trusted by stakeholders to follow through
- High ownership mindset: takes end-to-end accountability for outcomes, not just activity; proactive in spotting issues early and resolving them
- Resilient and adaptable: maintains momentum through ambiguity, changing priorities, and partner complexity
- Detail-aware without losing the big picture
- Highly collaborative
What the job involves
- Reporting line: Reports to EVP Strategic Partnerships
- Team / scope: Leads and develops a team of 3 (sales and account management) with accountability for revenue growth, renewals, margin, and risk
- The Syndication & Licensing Director leads The Economist’s global syndication and licensing business - growing revenue through strategic partnerships that distribute or embed Economist journalism and data across third-party platforms and products
- The role combines commercial leadership, deal-making, partner management, and cross-functional coordination with editorial, legal, product, finance, and marketing to ensure partnerships enhance reach while protecting brand, rights, and quality
- Own and deliver the commercial plan for syndication and licensing, including £xm revenue accountability and agreed growth targets
- Build a high-quality pipeline and prioritise opportunities
- Lead complex negotiations (pricing, scope, term, territory, rights, and usage), balancing near-term revenue with long-term strategic value
- Forecast accurately; manage renewals and upsell/cross-sell opportunities to maximise retention and lifetime value
- Define partner strategy: where The Economist should license content/IP, under what models, and with what guardrails
- Develop and maintain senior relationships with decision-makers at major partners; act as commercial escalation point
- Identify new growth opportunities, develop business cases
- Set and maintain licensing frameworks: standard terms, rate cards/pricing logic, permitted uses (including AI), compliance requirements, and approval workflows
- Ensure agreements protect IP, brand integrity, editorial standards, and legal obligations (e.g. copyright)
- Monitor partner compliance
- Own the operating rhythm for the syndication/licensing business: KPIs, dashboards, pipeline reviews, renewal calendars, and monthly business reviews
- Improve systems and processes that reduce friction
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3: clear goals, role clarity, performance management, and career development
- Build a high-performance culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and excellence
- Work closely with Editorial, Product/Technology, Marketing, Legal, Finance teams
- Represent The Economist externally as a senior commercial leader in content licensing and partnerships
Syndication & Licensing Director in London employer: Deepstreamtech
The Economist is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. As the Syndication & Licensing Director, you will lead a talented team while driving significant revenue growth through strategic partnerships, all within a culture that values integrity and excellence. With ample opportunities for professional development and a commitment to maintaining high editorial standards, working at The Economist not only promises a rewarding career but also the chance to make a meaningful impact in the media landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Syndication & Licensing Director in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with professionals in your desired field. This is a great way to learn more about the role and company culture while also showcasing your interest and skills. Plus, it gives us a chance to make a lasting impression before the formal interview process even begins!
✨Prepare for the Unexpected
Interviews can throw curveballs, so be ready for anything! Brush up on your negotiation skills and think through how you’d handle complex scenarios related to syndication and licensing. We want to see that you can think on your feet and adapt to changing priorities.
✨Showcase Your Achievements
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, make sure to highlight your past successes in revenue growth and team leadership. We love to see candidates who take ownership of their outcomes and can clearly communicate their impact. And remember, apply through our website to make sure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Syndication & Licensing Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your significant commercial experience in syndication and content licensing. We want to see how you've owned and grown revenue lines, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it crisp and to the point. We appreciate excellent written communication, so turn any complex ideas into clear decision points that showcase your strategic thinking.
Demonstrate Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, share examples of how you've managed people and set direction. We’re looking for someone who can build a high-performance culture, so let us know how you’ve done that in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with The Economist!
How to prepare for a job interview at Deepstreamtech
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your financial acumen. Be ready to discuss specific revenue figures you've managed, including growth percentages and successful renewals. This will show that you understand the commercial side of syndication and licensing.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Prepare examples of complex negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you balanced immediate revenue needs with long-term strategic goals. This will demonstrate your expert negotiation skills and strategic thinking, which are crucial for this role.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership
Be ready to talk about your experience in leading teams. Discuss how you've set direction, managed performance, and fostered a collaborative culture. This will illustrate your ability to develop and motivate a team, which is key for the Syndication & Licensing Director position.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with The Economist’s brand values and editorial standards. Be prepared to discuss how you would protect these while driving revenue through partnerships. This shows that you’re detail-aware but also capable of maintaining a strategic overview.
