Licensing Manager

JOB TITLE: Licensing Manager

DEPARTMENT: Global Licensing

LOCATION: Stamford Bridge, London

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time

Closing date: 6th November

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the position may be filled before the listed closing date. To avoid missing out, please submit your application at your earliest convenience.

Role Overview

The Licensing & Retail Manager will be responsible for managing key product categories and licensee relationships, while driving the growth and visibility of Chelsea FC licensed products across retail channels.

Working closely with licensees, retailers and internal stakeholders, the role combines category management, business development and retail expansion, ensuring that licensed products are successfully developed, distributed and delivered to market.

The role will play a key part in strengthening Chelsea FC’s licensing programme by improving partner performance, with a strong focus on expanding presence across the UK retail landscape and supporting international opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Category & Licensee Management

• Manage assigned product categories and associated licensees, ensuring strong commercial performance and alignment with Chelsea FC brand strategy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with licensees, acting as a key day-to-day contact.
• Lead regular business reviews with partners to assess performance, identify opportunities and drive growth.
• Identify gaps and opportunities within categories, proactively driving new licensee acquisition and product extensions to deliver incremental growth.
• Support product development direction to ensure ranges are commercially viable, retail-ready and aligned to consumer demand.

Business Development

• Identify and secure new licensing opportunities within assigned categories, including new licensees, product extensions and retail-led partnerships.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective partners aligned to category strategy and retail opportunities.
• Work closely with the Head Of Licensing, Senior Business Development Manager and other key stakeholders to support outreach, pitching and negotiation of new deals.
• Identify and address category white space, ensuring Chelsea FC maximises opportunities across key product areas.
• Support the onboarding of new licensees, ensuring successful integration into the licensing programme.

Retail Partnership Development

• Develop and manage relationships with key retail partners across the UK and priority international markets.
• Work with licensees to expand distribution and improve visibility of Chelsea FC licensed products.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new products and categories into relevant retail channels.
• Support licensees in building strong retail relationships and commercial programmes.
• Identify new retail opportunities across key categories and subcategories.
• Collaborate with licensees and retailers to develop exclusive retail programmes, launches and promotional activations.
• Support the development of retail presentations, range reviews and buyer meetings.

Performance Monitoring & Insights

• Monitor licensee and retail performance, identifying opportunities to optimise distribution and sell-through.
• Gather retail insights and market intelligence to inform category strategy and partner decisions.
• Track retail trends, competitor activity and new opportunities within the market.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams including Merchandising, Retail, Marketing, Creative and Product to ensure alignment across product development and retail initiatives.
• Support the wider licensing team by sharing retail insights and contributing to category strategy.

Key Performance Indicators

• Delivery of revenue targets across assigned categories.
• Growth and performance of managed licensees.
• Securing new licensing partners and delivering incremental revenue within assigned categories.
• Expansion of Chelsea FC licensed product distribution across key retail partners.
• Increased retail sell-through and visibility of licensed products.
• Successful execution of retail programmes and product launches.

Skills & Experience

• Experience within licensing, consumer products, retail or brand partnerships.
• Strong understanding of both licensing and retail environments.
• Exp…