Licensing Manager, Softlines

Title: Licensing Manager, Softlines
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience: 4+ Years Preferred (2+ Required)

About the Opportunity
TalentoHC is partnering with a client in the consumer products and licensing space seeking a Licensing Manager, Softlines to support the management and growth of its Softlines licensing business across apparel, accessories, bags, lifestyle, seasonal, and other fashion-driven categories.
Reporting to the Director of Softlines Licensing, this person will help shape the strategic direction, category plans, and licensee partnerships that grow revenue and strengthen brand presence.
The role communicates with licensees daily and works closely with Sales, Design, Marketing, Legal, and Finance to develop commercially viable, trend-right Softlines programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Directly manage Softlines licensees and partnerships across apparel, accessories, bags, lifestyle, seasonal, and related categories, contributing to department revenue goals
• Generate new business by prospecting licensees, presenting pitches, and preparing sales materials and presentations, supported by blue-sky ideation, trend research, and whitespace analysis
• Analyze existing licensee businesses through sales comparisons, forecasts, trend research, and competitive shopping
• Develop category strategies by brand, property, consumer segment, and product category that reflect current fashion, pop culture, fan, and market trends
• Partner with licensees, Sales, Design, and Marketing on assortment planning, product positioning, line reviews, and merchandising recommendations, and participate in weekly cross-functional approval meetings
• Support the product development process by gathering line lists, reviewing assortments, tracking sample needs, and facilitating creative kickoff calls with licensees
• Work with Legal on contract compliance, including weekly contract expiration reporting, and draft Letter of Intent forms, One-Time Authorization requests, and amendment requests
• Gather annual and quarterly sales projections with Finance, verify quarterly sales, submit weekly and monthly team reports, and help coordinate trade shows such as the Licensing Show

• 4 years of consumer products licensing experience preferred, with at least 2 years required, ideally within Softlines categories such as apparel, accessories, bags, footwear, lifestyle, or seasonal products
• End-to-end knowledge of the licensing process, including licensee management, approvals, contract coordination, forecasting, and royalty and sales reporting
• Demonstrated ability to develop new business in a consumer products licensing environment
• Strong understanding of Softlines category management, fashion trends, consumer insights, assortment planning, and product development timelines
• Analytical skills to interpret sales, trend, and category data, with proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and MS Office
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, line reviews, and licensee needs independently in a fast-paced environment; some travel required
• BA in Business Administration, Marketing, Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field preferred

About TalentoHC

Build Your Best Team Yet

Executive Search | Talent Strategy | Human Capital Consulting

TalentoHC is a global executive search and human capital consulting firm helping organizations build high-performing leadership teams that drive growth and transformation. The firm partners with companies across industries including technology, aviation, hospitality, media, and professional services to identify and place senior leaders who shape organizational strategy. Through a human capital-centric approach, TalentoHC supports organizations navigating leadership change, strengthening talent strategy, and building teams capable of delivering long-term enterprise value.

Equal Opportunity Employer
TalentoHC is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.