Director, Licensing & Business Development

authenticbrandsgroup

London, England · London · United Kingdom

Posted Jul 6, 2026

Other
Media & Entertainment

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Job description

Who We Are

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a global brand and entertainment platform that owns and invests in iconic intellectual property and cultural assets. It accelerates brands through a set of specialized businesses that combine powerful storytelling, premium content, unforgettable live experiences and global commerce. Through a network of more than 1,700 best-in-class licensees and strategic partners across 150 countries and expansive distribution, Authentic’s brands drive more than $36 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.

Authentic’s diversified portfolio spans more than 50 brands and reaches nearly one billion social media followers. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, GUESS, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter.

For more information, visit corporate.authentic.com. Follow Authentic on LinkedIn, Instagram and WeChat.

Why Authentic

You’ll be able to access the resources and scale, while leveraging innovative technology and nimble environment. What we’re saying is, this isn’t your average day job. If you’re hungry to drive ideas into action and own your career, let’s chat. Our team is rapidly innovating to evolve and define the future of our brands. With the help of some of the brightest minds in retail, marketing, licensing, legal and more, we are building the intersection of digital and experiential marketing to help achieve that mission. We reimagine, evolve and transform brands! At Authentic, we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought and expertise drive competitive advantage. Our global teams are built by go-getters who contribute unique perspectives and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Headquartered in New York City, Authentic has offices in major metropolitan cities including Los Angeles and Miami, as well as Toronto, Mexico City, London, and Shanghai.

Why Iconic Images x Authentic

If you love working with photographers and have a keen interest in music, film, fashion and celebrity, especially artists who worked in the 1960s-1970s, Iconic Images holds millions of images from nearly 40 photographers with an eye towards expansion. Iconic Images is a company dedicated to working with fine-art photographers with all aspects of their art. From fine-art print sales to editorial licensing, licensing, merchandising and publishing, Iconic Images strives to bring photographic archives to the forefront. Iconic Images is owned by Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), a brand development, marketing and entertainment company, which owns a portfolio of global media, entertainment and lifestyle brands.

What You’ll Do

As Director, Licensing and Business Development, you’ll be developing and executing strategies for expanding Iconic Images base of licensing partnerships, utilising owned and represented photographic archives ultimately delivering top-line revenue for the organisation. As a Director, you will also have the opportunity to be a part of a fast-growing department, including growth opportunities within the department. If you’re a strategic thinker with a creative spirit and are driven to win, we’d like to meet you. We’re proud to offer our BD Executives unlimited commission and are excited to welcome eager licensors to our team.

Key Responsibilities:

Generate Qualified Leads

Learn and understand Iconic Images photographic archives
Research the market and identify new licensing opportunities that map to Iconic Images photographic portfolio.
Identify target contacts and decision makers inside target companies and establish contact via cold calling, email outreach, and other means, as necessary.
Secure new deals across all aspects of image licensing, with a focus on commercial merchandise, apparel, and high-end brands for licensing opportunities

Build and Manage Sales Pipeline:

Continually drive prospects into leads through high-volume outbound sales activity.
Partner with Business Development leadership and Licensing Assistant to develop pitch decks that clearly align Iconic Images proposition with the prospect’s interests and capabilities.

Drive the Licensing Deal to Close:

Work in partnership with Business Development leadership and Creative Director to develop business plans and formulate product licensing proposals.
Lead and manage efficient and productive negotiations of deal terms, taking full ownership of the deal process.

Assemble detailed term sheets with concise business terms. Work closely with legal counsel to draft licensing agreements.

Sales Management:

Track sales activity in CRM consistently and accurately.
Manage productive and goal-oriented deal processes.
Prepare accurate sales forecasts per Iconic Image’s sales reporting process.
Prepare reports and presentations of sales performance as needed.
Maintain brand integrity across licensees, and all internal and external communication

Manage licensee partner relations & Facilitate Effective Licensing Operations

Consolidate and organize key business development tools and materials for licensees
Partner closely with each licensing partner to understand respective business models and product development securing all rights clearance and due copyright lines
Participate in strategy discussions and in setting a bulls-eye target.
Assist in overseeing the direction, implementation, execution and continuous improvement of the licensing processes

Compensation:

Sales Executives are eligible for Iconic Image's Uncapped Commission Plan.

Must Haves:

5 years min experience in new business development in licensing for photography.
Experience in full-cycle sales from lead generation through closing the deal
Have knowledge and understanding of licensees and copyright law and third-party rights clearances
Possess an eager demeanour with a fearless and professional drive to win; cold calling and other forms of outreach are required
Success at negotiating licensing contracts, creatively developing new business ideas
Able to partner closely with licensees to understand their creative needs
Understand licensing sales successes and challenges
Understand best practices for Licensees
Must be willing and able to travel occasionally as the role requires

Fraud Alert: Unauthorized Job Offers and Impersonations

We have been made aware of fraudulent job offers and interview requests being sent by individuals falsely claiming to represent Authentic. These scams are often initiated via email, employment websites and social media, and may include fake interview requests, offer letters or attempts to collect personal and financial information.

Please note:

All legitimate Authentic job postings can be found only on our official website (authentic.com) or through our verified LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareauthentic).
Authentic does not conduct interviews over Teams or Zoom without prior email correspondence from a verified @authentic.com email address.
We will never ask you for sensitive personal information, payment or banking details as part of the hiring process.

If you believe you've been contacted by someone impersonating an Authentic team member, please report it immediately by emailing peopleandculture@authentic.com.

Authentic is an equal-opportunity employer and we value and embrace the diversity and inclusion of all Team Members. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, disability, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.

For individuals with disabilities or religious obligations who would like to request an accommodation, please contact talent@authentic.com

To access Authentic' s Privacy Policy, which contains information regarding data collected from job applicants and how we use it, please click here: https://authentic.com/pages/privacy-policy