At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage global licensing partnerships and drive innovative product strategies.
- Company: Join Sweaty Betty, a leader in female-first activewear with a mission to empower women.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a brand that champions women and embraces sustainability while shaping the future.
- Qualifications: Experience in licensing or brand management, with a passion for fashion and lifestyle.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
The Licensing Manager is responsible for the end to end management of Sweaty Betty's global licensing partnerships, ensuring licensed product is brand right, commercially strong and operationally robust, while also shaping and delivering future licensing opportunities that introduce Sweaty Betty to new consumers, categories and occasions. This role is both hands on and strategic: owning the day to day running of the licensing function (including all product approvals, end to end system management and partner governance), while proactively identifying, pitching and landing new licensing partnerships that drive incremental revenue and brand elevation.
Day to Day Licensing Management & Governance
- Own the end to end operational management of all existing licensing partnerships, acting as the central point of contact internally and externally.
- Lead all product approvals across licensed categories, ensuring product, materials, branding, fit, quality and storytelling meet Sweaty Betty's brand, design and performance standards.
- Partner cross functionally with Product, Design, Brand, Legal, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to guide the licensed product lifecycle from concept through to market.
- Ensure all licensees operate in line with brand guidelines, seasonal direction, sustainability standards, and commercial terms.
- Manage timelines, range plans, end to end system management, critical paths and sign off processes to ensure on time, right first time delivery.
- Support contract adherence and renewals in partnership with Legal and Finance, ensuring clarity on royalties, reporting, compliance and performance against plan.
Product & Brand Stewardship
- Act as a guardian of the Sweaty Betty brand within all licensed categories, ensuring products feel purposeful, elevated and true to the brand's female first, performance led ethos.
- Review and approve all licensed product visuals, packaging, marketing assets and brand usage prior to go to market.
- Ensure licensed ranges complement (not dilute or compete with) the core Sweaty Betty assortment.
- Bring a critical eye to product quality, pricing architecture and consumer relevance across licensed categories.
Licensing Strategy & Growth
- Define and evolve a clear licensing strategy: identifying the right categories, regions, partners and consumer entry points for Sweaty Betty.
- Proactively identify new licensing opportunities (e.g. new categories, demographics or international markets) that:
- Reach new or adjacent consumers
- Drive incremental, profitable revenue
- Strengthen brand perception and brand stretch
- Build compelling business cases and partner propositions, including brand rationale, commercial forecasts and risk assessment.
- Lead early stage conversations with prospective partners and manage evaluation through to approval and contract stage.
- Stay close to market, consumer and competitor trends to ensure licensing opportunities feel modern, differentiated and future fit.
Stakeholder Management & Influence
- Confidently influence senior stakeholders across Brand, Product and Commercial functions without direct authority.
- Present licensing plans, opportunities and performance updates clearly and credibly to leadership teams.
- Act as a collaborative partner to licensees, balancing commercial ambition with brand discipline.
Proven experience in licensing, partnerships, category expansion or brand management within fashion, lifestyle, activewear or premium consumer brands. Strong understanding of product development processes, ideally across apparel, accessories or adjacent categories. Experience managing external partners and complex, multi stakeholder relationships. Commercially astute, with the ability to assess opportunity size, risk and long term brand impact. Highly organised, detail driven and comfortable owning timelines, approvals and governance. Strong brand sensibility with confidence to say "no" when something isn't right for the brand. Comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor with autonomy and accountability. Strategic thinker with a hands on mindset. Brand obsessed but commercially grounded. Calm, confident influencer with strong judgement. Curious, market aware and opportunity driven. Resilient and comfortable navigating ambiguity and change.
Licensing Manager employer: Sweaty Betty
Wolverine Worldwide is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and growth, offering a generous clothing allowance, quarterly bonuses, and a substantial discount on Sweaty Betty merchandise. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, the company fosters a positive work culture where employees can thrive in a fast-paced retail environment while enjoying benefits like enhanced family leave and access to support tools. Join us in creating memorable customer experiences and advancing your career in a supportive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Licensing Manager
✨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 Sweaty Betty 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 Sweaty Betty 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 Sweaty Betty 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 Sweaty Betty. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Licensing Manager
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 Sweaty Betty. 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 Sweaty Betty:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Sweaty Betty’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 Sweaty Betty
✨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 Sweaty Betty 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 Sweaty Betty, 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.
