At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new team to create affordable, licensed products across various categories.
- Company: NEXT, a leading retailer focused on innovative value licensing.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, profit-related bonuses, share options, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a high-growth initiative and make a real impact in the fashion industry.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in brand licensing and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are launching a dedicated Value Licensing team, a high‑growth initiative designed to establish NEXT as the destination for affordable, licensed products across Womenswear, Menswear and Children’swear. This brand‑new team will focus on securing new partnerships, expanding category reach and delivering ranges that capture global market trends. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of something new and extremely exciting.
As Head of Brand, you will lead your team in creating and delivering a profitable and commercial value range to maximise sales. You will adopt an inspirational and motivating management style to bring out the best in the team and support them to achieve excellence. The role is based at The Barn (Market Harborough office) and is responsible for building a new value‑licensed business within NEXT.
What You’ll Take On
- Strategy and Portfolio Growth: Own, develop and present the brand licensing strategy to the Brand Director. Direct category expansion, lead negotiations for new global licensing partnerships and prioritise brands, categories and markets for sustainable, profitable growth. Define and implement a robust brand architecture and pricing direction to prevent internal competition and enable incremental growth.
- Commercial and Financial Oversight: Take full P&L ownership for the value licensing portfolio, oversee the departmental budget, drive financial forecasting and implement processes for licensee reporting.
- Brand Governance and Compliance: Define, implement and enforce brand guidelines and a governance and approvals framework across the value‑licensed products.
- Leadership: Recruit, grow and inspire a high‑performing value licensing team.
What You’ll Bring
- Lead, inspire and motivate a team.
- Identify and seize opportunities, demonstrating an enterprising and responsive approach.
- Show resilience and comfort with intelligent risks.
- Demonstrate clear and concise communication skills.
- Be analytical and numerate.
- Influence and take initiative when others don’t.
You will be a seasoned leader in brand licensing products, with a proven track record of managing a significant product business area. The role requires expertise in developing commercial ranges and negotiating high‑value agreements, and a history of making confident commercial decisions. You will be highly organised, self‑motivated and adept at senior stakeholder management.
Sponsorship
Candidates requiring sponsorship must meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Profit‑related bonus based on company performance
- Management share options
- Company car or car allowance
- Private medical insurance
- Sharesave scheme – save from net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
- Pension – fixed contribution rates with optional additional voluntary contributions
- Life assurance
- Group income protection
- Wagestream – help make the most of your money
- Salary finance – access to affordable loans repaid through salary and savings education
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products and other products
- Direct to work – free delivery of NEXT orders to the office for collection
- VIP sale – early access to the NEXT sale
- Access to NEXT staff shops
- Octopus energy – cycle‑to‑work style scheme for electric vehicles
- Free parking (excluding London locations)
- Travel2NEXT – bus services dependent on location
- On‑site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services, including discounted cinema tickets
- Wellhub – access to discounted gym membership
- Simply health – a healthcare subscription service
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service – 7 free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check
- On‑site GP – Leicester Head Office
- On‑site Physiotherapy – Leicester Head Office
- Dedicated third‑party wellbeing partners
- Free eye testing – voucher to use at specific locations
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change. We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long‑term condition, please email (include “Workplace Adjustments” in the subject line) or call and leave a voicemail.
Head of Brand - Value Licensing employer: Next
NEXT is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at The Barn in Market Harborough, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including a profit-related bonus, private medical insurance, and a generous staff discount, all while fostering a culture that encourages creativity and excellence in our new Value Licensing team. Join us to be part of a pioneering initiative that not only values your contributions but also supports your professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Brand - Value Licensing
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Next and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Next are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Next on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Next. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Brand - Value Licensing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Next. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Next:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Next’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Next will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Next, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
