Partnerships Manager

Partnerships Manager

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Smiley Company

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive growth by managing partnerships and negotiating deals across global markets.
  • Company: Join Smiley, a leading lifestyle and fashion brand with a creative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, WFH Fridays, and health insurance.
  • Other info: Exciting career development opportunities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of an iconic brand and influence international commercial strategies.
  • Qualifications: Experience in licensing or fashion, strong negotiation skills, and a commercial mindset.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

At Smiley, we're more than an iconic brand. We are one of the world's leading licensing businesses, partnering with over 260 licensees and global retailers to bring our brands to life across fashion, lifestyle, home and beauty. We are a fast-moving, collaborative business that values creativity, inclusivity, commercial thinking, and innovation. Today, Smiley is more than an icon, it is a global lifestyle & fashion brand with a strong presence across international markets.

We're looking for a commercially driven Partnerships Manager to help grow our licensing business across key international markets, building successful partnerships that deliver revenue, retail growth and long-term brand success.

This is a true end-to-end commercial role where you own the full lifecycle of your licensing partners, from identifying new opportunities and negotiating commercial agreements through to growing existing accounts and maximising royalty revenue. Working across Fashion, Lifestyle, Health & Beauty, you'll collaborate with Product, Marketing, Sales, Finance and Legal teams to deliver commercially successful partnerships across the UK, USA, Australia and Turkey.

If you enjoy building relationships, spotting opportunities and turning them into commercial success, we’d love to hear from you!

What You’ll Do
  • Grow licensing revenue across your assigned territories.
  • Develop and manage strategic relationships with licensees and retail partners.
  • Identify and secure new business opportunities.
  • Negotiate commercial agreements, royalties and Minimum Guarantees.
  • Deliver partner growth plans, Quarterly Business Reviews and commercial forecasts.
  • Analyse sales, market and consumer data to drive product and category growth.
  • Work cross-functionally to deliver successful product launches and retail activations.
  • Support budgeting, forecasting and commercial reporting.
  • Ensure partners deliver against Smiley's brand standards and sustainability commitments.
About you
  • Experience in licensing, fashion, consumer products or branded partnerships.
  • A strong commercial mindset with a track record of growing accounts and delivering revenue.
  • Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
  • Confidence interpreting sales data, forecasts and market trends.
  • Experience working with international partners.
  • The ability to balance commercial objectives with brand integrity.
  • A collaborative approach and the drive to make things happen.

Why Smiley? You will join one of the most recognised lifestyle & fashion brands at an exciting stage of growth, working with international retailers, leading licensees and globally recognised consumer brands.

In return, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Own high-profile international partnerships.
  • Influence commercial strategy and business growth.
  • Work with talented global teams.
  • Develop your career within a fast-paced, creative and entrepreneurial business.

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine commercial thinking, relationship building and international brand management, we’d love to hear from you.

What’s on offer?
  • Competitive base Salary
  • 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
  • Pension scheme
  • WFH Fridays
  • Access to Perkbox and Vitality health insurance
  • Summer & Christmas events
  • Reduced summer hours

Partnerships Manager employer: Smiley Company

At Smiley, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that champions creativity and innovation. As a Partnerships Manager, you will thrive in a collaborative environment where your contributions directly influence our international growth and brand success. With competitive benefits, opportunities for career development, and a vibrant work culture, Smiley is the perfect place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the licensing and fashion industry.

Smiley Company

Contact Details:

Smiley Company Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Manager

Commercial Mindset
Negotiation Skills
Stakeholder Management
Relationship Building
Data Analysis
Market Trend Interpretation
Licensing Experience