Licensing Sales Manager - Hardlines (Toys, Puzzles, Games)(FTC) (London)

About the Role & Team

This role is responsible for the strategic and commercial management of the Games, Puzzles, and Toys category within the Hardlines business across EMEA. You will plan and execute long-term and fiscal year strategies, manage a portfolio of existing accounts, and drive a rationalisation plan to ensure effective and focused business management. You’ll apply creativity, commercial acumen, and category expertise in Games, Puzzles, and Toys product development under the Hardlines umbrella. Leveraging knowledge of digital, social, and bricks-and-mortar marketing, along with key trends and consumer insights, you will develop and drive cross-functional strategies. Agility is key to capitalising on emerging opportunities and targeting new partners. This is a fixed-term contract role, based out of the London office in Hammersmith, 4 days a week.

What You Will Do

• In conjunction with the Senior Licensing Sales Manager/Licensing Sales Director, implement the long-term strategy for the Games, Puzzles, and Toys category within Hardlines, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Use key trends, commercial data, and consumer insights to develop and drive strategies across departments, while remaining agile to seize new opportunities and identify target partners.
• Manage the annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting process.
• Develop licensee objectives and strategies in partnership with markets, consumer demo groups, category teams, franchise, marketing, product development, and finance.
• Actively manage and cultivate relationships with EMEA accounts, ensuring strong engagement and joint business planning.
• Lead contract negotiations for designated accounts and ensure alignment with global, EMEA, and local stakeholders.
• Collaborate with creative teams and, where applicable, Global Interactive Experiences, on product development.
• Support marketing efforts to drive product sell-through at retail.
• Communicate the International Labour Standards (ILS) process and act as the liaison between suppliers and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) ILS team.
• Execute new business development pitches and lead research initiatives to identify scalable opportunities.
• Coordinate and contribute to market meetings, sharing insights and updates.
• Build strong relationships with Disney market teams to understand local needs, share best practices, and align on strategy and franchise updates.
• Collaborate with international DCP teams to exchange knowledge and drive global consistency.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Degree-level education in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in the consumer products industry, ideally within Games, Puzzles, or Toys.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships and lead cross-functional collaboration to achieve financial and strategic goals.
• Demonstrated experience in team development and performance management.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to translate data into actionable plans.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to draw practical conclusions and implement recommendations.
• Agile and opportunistic approach to business development.
• Resilient and adaptable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Keynote.
• Fluent in English for business use; additional European languages are a plus.
• Strong understanding of digital, social, and retail marketing.
• Strategic thinker with a commercial mindset and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and influencing skills.
• Forward-thinking with the ability to translate industry trends into growth opportunities for TWDC.
• Culturally sensitive with a strong understanding of local markets across EMEA.

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.