Associate Licensing Manager

Job Title: Associate Licensing Manager

Job Summary:

We are seeking a motivated detail-driven Associate Licensing Manager with 35 years of experience to support the continued growth of Ground Ups licensed brand portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of licensor relationship management financial planning product development and contract compliance with direct exposure to both entertainment IP (character animation gaming) and fashion-forward brands.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with licensed consumer products or footwear a strong command of product development and brand management and the organizational discipline to manage multiple brands and licensor priorities simultaneously. This is a highly cross-functional role that partners closely with Design Sales Marketing and Product Development.

About Ground Up:

Ground Up International is a New York-based premier licensed footwear company with an integrated portfolio spanning entertainment fashion and lifestyle brands. From iconic entertainment properties such as Disney Warner Bros. Nintendo Nickelodeon Sanrio Hasbro Mattel and more to fashion-forward labels under Ground Up Collective our products are built for fans who want to express their passions from the ground up.

Our products reach consumers through the worlds leading retailers including Walmart Target Foot Locker TJX Nordstrom Hot Topic Urban Outfitters and hundreds more across the U.S. Canada and Europe.

We aspire to have our teams embody our core values of:

• Service
• People
• Teamwork
• Opportunity
• Results
• Innovation
• Trust

Key Responsibilities:

Licensor Relationship Management

• Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for assigned licensors across entertainment and fashion brand portfolios

• Build andmaintainstrong relationships through proactive communication business reviews and regular cadence meetings

• Support partner business reviews (PBRs)preparing performance analyses brand scorecards and renewal presentation materials

• Ensure licensor expectations are met across all touchpoints: product approvals distribution compliance marketing alignment and royalty obligations

Contract & Compliance Administration

• Track andmaintainkey contract terms across the portfolio: territories approved channels royalty rates MG schedules approval requirements andexpirationdates

• Support compliance with licensor requirements including distribution channel restrictions territory limitations and retailer approval processes

• Maintain organized records of fully executed agreements amendments and correspondence in internal systems

Product Development & Approvals

• Partner with DesignProductDevelopment and Merchandising teams to support licensed product assortments aligned with each licensors brand guidelines

• Manage submission-tracking across the full approval cycle: concept development pre-production and final approval stages

• Own the approval calendar for assigned brands ensuring internal teams meet licensor submission deadlines

• Provide clear actionable feedback to internal teams on licensor comments to ensuretimelyresolution and approvals

• Ensure packaging marketing materials and digital assetscomply withlicensor brand standards before release

Licensed Program Strategy & Growth

• Support the execution of licensing strategies aligned with company revenue goals and licensor brand priorities

• Identifyopportunities to expand existing licensed programsnew properties categories retailer channels or territories

• Prepare line review materials seasonal sell-in decks and licensor business updates as needed

• Monitor entertainment release calendars franchise activity and pop culture trends toanticipatedemand and inform product planning

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with SalesDesign Product DevelopmentandMarketing to support program execution from concept through delivery

• Provide brand guidance and approval support to the Sales team during buyer presentations and line reviews

• Act as an internal resource on brand usage style guide compliance and licensor requirements for cross-functional partners

• Representthe Licensing team in internal product development and go-to-market meetings

Market Intelligence & Reporting

• Monitor market trends competitive product activity and brand performance across licensed footwear categories

• Track retail sell-through account-level performance and property lifecycle trends to inform forecasting and renewal strategy

• Support internal and external reporting including licensor sales summaries and performance dashboards

Minimum Qualifications:

• 35 years of experience in licensing brand management consumer products or a related field

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple licensed programs simultaneously across entertainment or fashion brands

• Familiarity with licensing agreements royalty structures approval workflows and contract compliance

• Advancedproficiencyin Microsoft Excel (pivot tables VLOOKUP/XLOOKUPcross-tabreconciliation); experience withxlsm-based licensor templates a plus

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines with high attention to detail

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to both internal stakeholders and licensor contacts

• Bachelors degree in Business Marketing Merchandising or a related field preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience at a licensed footwear apparel or accessories company (licensee-side experience strongly preferred)

• Working knowledge of both entertainment IP (character animation gaming franchises) and fashion brand licensing

• Familiarity with major licensor portal systems and royalty submission requirements (e.g. Disney LIMA WB NBCUniversal Sanrio Nintendo)

• Experience supporting contract renewals amendments or First Amendment negotiations

• Exposure to retail channel compliance distribution territory management and off-price/TJX account considerations

• Experience with partner business reviews AOP presentations or licensor-facing business reporting

GUP Perks

• Medical Dental Vision 401k plan & access to employee recognition programs.
• Paid vacation holidays Eternal Summer Fridays birthdays off & more!
• Friendly fun creative & collaborative work environment.
• Ground Up International is an equal opportunity employer.

Required Experience:

Manager