Director, Licensed Publishing

Chronicle Books is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director of Licensed Publishing to lead the commercial licensing strategy and portfolio management for key licensed publishing partnerships. This high-visibility role located in San Francisco or New York City serves as the central business lead for licensor relationships negotiations renewals business reviews franchise intelligence and cross-functional coordination across Chronicles licensed publishing activity. The Director partners closely with publishing marketing sales finance and contracts to support brand-authentic and distinctly Chronicle licensed programs across books stationery gift games and adjacent categories. This role is ideal for a commercially savvy partnership-focused leader who can bring structure clarity and strategic discipline to Chronicles growing licensed publishing portfolio while partnering effectively across creative and commercial teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Own and manage licensor business relationships with high-profile entertainment gaming lifestyle and media brands serving as the lead point of contact.

Negotiate and manage licensing contracts including new agreements renewals amendments and terms that align with Chronicles business and creative goals.

Identify and evaluate new publishing opportunities in collaboration with editorial and creative teamsleveraging market insights consumer trends and licensor priorities.

Partner closely with editorial to shape the licensed publishing roadmap across all age groups and formats: childrens books adult books stationery games lifestyle products and gift.

Partner with finance to review new and ongoing business establish financial frameworks and benchmarks for licensed publishing company-wide.

Inform retail strategy for key licensed brands by synthesizing licensor priorities franchise timing market developments and cross-category opportunities in close partnership with Sales and Marketing leadership and relevant external partners.

Partner with sales and marketing teams at Chronicle to create and execute go-to-market strategies and retail campaigns that leverage licensor strategies optimizing visibility and performance at key retail channels including independent bookstores mass market specialty international markets and C1 online.

Collaborate across Chronicle Books Galison CB Toys & Games and other relevant business areas to identify evaluate and coordinate cross-company licensing opportunities where there is clear strategic and commercial benefit.

Working closely with Finance monitor performance metrics and deliver regular business reviews and strategic updates to licensors and internal stakeholders.

Stay attuned to the competitive landscape industry trends and emerging IP across publishing and consumer product sectors.

Create and maintain brand one-sheets for internal teams

Present go-to-market and brand partnership opportunities to internal and external stakeholders

Collaborate with sales channel leaders to plan specific account-by-account pitches and programs

Build relationships with other brand licensees on marketing and retail collaborations

Liaise with internal marketing and publicity point people on seasonal and product-specific plans and opportunities

Qualifications:

10 years of experience in brand/licensing management publishing or consumer products with at least 35 years managing high-level licensor partnerships.

Proven success negotiating licensing contracts and developing licensed product strategies across a range of categories.

Strong understanding of the publishing industry including illustrated childrens and gift formats.

Experience developing and marketing products for a wide range of audienceschildren YA and adults.

Excellent communication negotiation and relationship-building skills.

Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative fast-paced and creative environment.

Passion for design-driven products and being an ambassador for Chronicle Books publishing.

Familiarity with licensor brands such as Disney Pixar LEGO Star Wars Netflix Nintendo etc. a strong plus.

Schedule:

Employees at Chronicle Books follow a flexible hybrid schedule of working a minimum of 3 days per week and up to 4 days per week in our San Francisco or New York City offices depending on project and business needs. Please note that this job description is not designed to cover all activities required of the employee.

Hiring Salary Range:

$113000 - $135750. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the expected salary for this position and will be determined by factors including but not limited to the applicants education experience knowledge skills and abilities and geographic location as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible for our profit share plan.

Benefits:

Chronicle Books offers a full suite of benefits including but not limited to: medical dental and vision insurance 401k a profit share plan three weeks of paid vacation to start two weeks of sick time per year and company holidays including a paid winter break between Christmas Day and New Years Day paid family maternity and paternity leave commuter benefits long-term disability insurance annual tuition assistance annual wellness stipend and more.

To apply:

To apply please submit a resume and cover letter to our career site (link below). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin disability age or veteran status. We are committed to fostering an inclusive company culture that respects and promotes diverse backgrounds and points of view. We look for candidates who will add to our culture and support the companys vision of a diverse equitable inclusive and collaborative workplace. Chronicle Books is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. If you are excited about this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above we still encourage you to apply. For jobs located in New York State you can view the Notice of Employee Rights Protections and Obligations Under Labor Law Section 740 by clicking here: Notice of Employee Rights Protections and Obligations LS740 .

About us:

Founded in 1967 in San Francisco Chronicle Books is one of the worlds most admired publishers and distributors of illustrated books gifts and games for all ages. Its highly acclaimed list spans art photography food lifestyle pop culture humor self-help wellness childrens books and stationery among other categories. Chronicle is the home of numerous award-winning authors bestselling series and trend-setting titles. Chronicle Books is committed to partnering with artists writers and business partners who represent the diversity of our world and to fostering an inclusive company culture that respects and promotes diverse backgrounds and points of view. For more information visit .