Manager, Inbound Licensing – Business Development & Partnerships jobs in United States
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MGA Entertainment · 21 hours ago

Manager, Inbound Licensing – Business Development & Partnerships

MGA Entertainment is a global leader in designing and delivering innovative toys and entertainment. The Manager, Inbound Licensing – Business Development & Partnerships is responsible for driving growth in MGA's inbound licensing portfolio by sourcing, negotiating, and managing partnerships that integrate third-party IP into MGA's brands.

ChildrenGamingManufacturingToys
Hiring Manager
Dwight Murray
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Responsibilities

Identify, evaluate, and pursue inbound licensing opportunities aligned to MGA’s brand, category, and portfolio strategies
Conduct outreach to potential partners and manage early-stage conversations
Assess fit, risk, and business potential for new IP partnerships
Support the VP in developing category expansion strategies through inbound licensing
Lead negotiation of inbound licensing deal terms, including:
Royalty structures
Guarantees and advances
Term length
Territory and channels
Rights granted
Categories and product segments
Partner with Finance and Category teams to build business cases and revenue projections
Ensure deal structures support profitability and portfolio goals
Work with Legal to shepherd contracts from term sheet to full execution
Ensure all terms are accurately reflected, including rights, timelines, approvals, and financial obligations
Track renewals, amendments, expirations, and key contractual milestones
Maintain organized contract files and deal records for the department
Serve as a primary point of contact for new and existing inbound licensing partners on business-related topics
Build strong relationships across partner brand, legal, and licensing teams
Represent MGA in discussions around business terms, future opportunities, and portfolio expansions
Support ongoing lifecycle management of partners, ensuring mutually beneficial collaboration
Partner closely with:
Franchise (brand strategy alignment)
Category/Planning (product roadmaps, financials)
Marketing & Activation (campaign implications and usage rights)
Creative (asset rights, style guide access)
Legal (contracts, rights, compliance)
Ensure internal teams understand partner contract terms and rights
Provide clear visibility into deal requirements, renewals, and obligations
Monitor industry trends, competitor licensing activity, and emerging IP opportunities
Analyze categories, retailers, and consumer behavior to identify whitespace openings
Bring forward data-backed recommendations for new inbound licensing targets
Track financial performance of inbound licensing deals, including royalties and guarantees
Prepare deal summaries, partner scorecards, and business performance updates
Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning for the inbound licensing pipeline

Qualification

Licensing NegotiationBusiness DevelopmentFinancial ModelingContract ManagementMarket ResearchRelationship ManagementCommunication SkillsOrganizational SkillsAttention to DetailStrategic Mindset

Required

Bachelor's degree in Business, Licensing, Marketing, or related field
5–7 years of experience in inbound or outbound licensing, partnerships, business development, or deal negotiation
Proven track record negotiating licensing or commercial agreements
Strong understanding of licensing terms, contracts, and financial modeling
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deals at once
Experience working with Legal, Finance, and Executive-level stakeholders

Preferred

Experience in consumer products, entertainment, toys, gaming, youth brands, or retail-driven categories
Understanding of IP management and rights usage across marketing, product, and creative applications
Familiarity with royalty reporting and revenue forecasting

Company

MGA Entertainment

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MGA Entertainment is a manufacturer of children's toys and entertainment products founded in 1979.

Funding

Current Stage
Late Stage

Leadership Team

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Alexey Lebedev
Founder of lolsurprise.by
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Anne Parducci
Chief Content Officer
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Company data provided by crunchbase