Licensing Manager, Softlines (Peanuts Worldwide)

About the role

Join our Peanuts Worldwide team to make us part of your story!

The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 80% owned by the Sony Group, and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz. First introduced to the world in 1950 in the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture.

In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV, fans of all ages celebrate the brand around the world through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital.

Peanuts recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary with unprecedented worldwide exhibitions and activities, collaborations, digital marketing campaigns, and more.

Position Summary

Peanuts Worldwide, LLC is seeking a Licensing Manager, Softlines. Reporting to the VP of Global Softlines, the Licensing Manager, Softlines will lead the day-to-day management and growth of assigned domestic softlines categories. This role will own licensee relationships and category performance, identify and secure new business opportunities, lead deal negotiations, and partner cross-functionally to deliver commercially successful products that support Peanuts' brand and business objectives.

This position will be on a Hybrid schedule with 2 days per week in the NYC office.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage Peanuts licensees in the following categories:
• Sleepwear, Health and Beauty Aids
• Develop and execute growth plans for assigned categories, identifying, pitching, evaluating, and securing new licensees against defined revenue targets and annual growth objectives.
• Manage day-to-day business for assigned categories, including financial performance, contract management, category analysis, product development, and retail placement.
• Oversee contract negotiations for new deals, amendments, and renewals, recommending commercially sound terms that meet company requirements and advance overall business objectives.
• Maintain market knowledge of assigned categories, competitive activity, consumer trends, and the retail landscape; translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Partner with the VP, Global Softlines to shape and implement category strategies across all levels of retail and e-commerce, aligning priorities with broader brand and revenue goals.
• Monitor licensee performance against contractual obligations, sales targets, and quality standards; identify risks and opportunities, drive corrective actions, and communicate business results and recommendations to leadership.
• Domestic travel is required.
• Honesty, trustworthiness and ethical conduct are material requirements for the responsibilities outlined above

Your qualifications and experience should include

• 7+ years of progressive experience in the licensing industry, including ownership of sales and/or brand management responsibilities and demonstrated accountability for business results
• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Demonstrated success pitching properties, securing new business, negotiating complex deal points, and independently managing licensee relationships; experience in character or entertainment licensing preferred
• Proven track record of building and establishing strong relationships and industry contacts across softlines categories; established retail relationships are a plus
• Proficient in MS Office programs (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Motivated self-starter who demonstrates strong initiative, creativity and excellent work ethic
• Flexible team player with positive attitude and ability to work collaboratively across the company
• Strong organizational skills and ability to think strategically to complete tasks in a timely fashion
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of administrative organization
• Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal skills
• Problem solver that acts decisively and demonstrates good judgement
• Thrives in a fast paced, changing environment that necessitates working on many different projects simultaneously
• Must be authorized to work in the US without restrictions.

Additional information

We are committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for you to thrive as part of Sony's purpose to "fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology."

Benefits

Peanuts Worldwide participates in the Sony Corporation of America (SCA) benefits program and offers benefits-eligible employees (generally regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week) a comprehensive benefits program that offers coverage and support for employees and their family's physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

What we offer you

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage with coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits
• Fertility benefits, including, surrogacy, and adoption assistance programs
• Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees as well as supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/domestic partners and children
• Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Short-term & long-term disability plans
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave
• 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with immediate vesting
• Education assistance and student loan programs

Other Programs

• Flexible Work Arrangements, including hybrid work schedule
• Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year's Day (based on business needs)
• Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility)
• Matching gift program
• A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs)
• Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees
• Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for your Sony stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions)

• The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $85,000 to $100,000.
• In addition to the annual base salary, this role has an annual bonus target of 10%.
• This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for.

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

#LI-BC1