Director, Product Licensing

Overview

HanesBrands (NYSE: HBI) makes everyday apparel that is known and loved by consumers around the world for comfort, quality and value. Among the company’s iconic brands are Hanes, the leading basic apparel brand in the United States; Bonds, which is setting new standards for design and sustainability; Maidenform, America’s number one shapewear brand; and Bali, America’s number one national bra brand. HBI employs 48,000 associates in approximately 30 countries and has built a strong reputation for workplace quality and ethical business practices. The company, a longtime leader in sustainability, has set aggressive 2030 goals to improve the lives of people, protect the planet and produce sustainable products.

The Product Licensing Director is responsible for leading the company's product licensing efforts, developing and executing a comprehensive licensing strategy to generate revenue and drive growth. This individual will be responsible for identifying new licensing opportunities, negotiating and executing licensing agreements, and managing relationships with licensees. This role will need to work cross functionally across both Innerwear & Activewear business units to maximize brand impact and key revenue drivers.  While strongly focused on licensing and collaborations, this leader will contribute to the overall strategic merchandising of product globally.  This director will ensure licensing agreements are developed, monitored, and adhered to in terms, conditions and performance.  The Licensing Director will be responsible for ongoing relationship with Licensees and will work with Design, Merchandising, Marketing and Sales teams to assure brand alignment and execution.  The role will also be responsible for working with the senior leadership team to help identify new and innovative product opportunities for an increasingly diverse product line.

Responsibilities

• Identify new licensing opportunities, including potential licensees and product categories.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive licensing strategy, ensuring that the company's intellectual property is leveraged effectively to generate revenue and drive growth.
• Negotiate and execute licensing agreements, including royalty rates, terms and conditions, and other key terms.
• Manage relationships with licensees, ensuring that licensing agreements are executed smoothly and effectively and that licensees are meeting their obligations.
• Stay informed of industry trends and best practices in product licensing, and continuously evaluate and improve the company's licensing strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, legal, and product development, to support product licensing efforts.

Minimum Education/ Experience           

• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or equivalent with 10+ years relevant work experience in a related field; 4+ years of equivalent work experience can be substituted for Bachelor's degree   
• Preferred Education: MBA plus 8+ years’ experience in Marketing or Licensing

Specific Skills or Experience Required

• Proven ability to develop and execute successful product licensing strategies.
• Experience apparel and manufacturing Direct preferred
• Understand anticipate potential opportunities and challenges in the marketplace that may affect extension renewal of existing or new agreements. 
• Develop licensing strategy & partner relationships that are best in class to grow brands vs. competitors
• Prepare and present monthly/quarterly business reviews with HBI business units including sales, royalties, channels of distribution, retailer by product categories
• Ensure compliance of agreements i.e. guarantees, distribution channels and product categories
• Timely and effective communication with Legal and Finance departments
• Forecasting guarantees and potential risk with Finance
• Work closely with our Corporate Social Responsibility department to ensure that all licensing partners are compliant with HBI global standards (GSS).
• Experience with brand collaborations is a plus.

Job Specific Competencies

• Intellectual flexibility to reconsider historical approaches in business models in the context of the rapid evolution of the licensing landscape
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to think out of the box in order to develop innovative opportunities which will drive incremental sales
• High-energy, active approach in both managing/pushing existing partners to success and identifying new opportunities
• Demonstrated ability to think & see the business environment from a macro point of view, while maintaining control of critical micro success factors
• Ability to manage a diverse scope of projects requiring detailed analysis, creative/practical problem solving, and sound judgment
• Highly analytical person who makes decisions and influences others based on data and empirical evidence
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insights.
• Attend & participate in industry trade shows

Core Competencies

• Written/verbal communication and listening
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Results orientation
• Adaptability

Core Values

Play to Win - We expect to win, working together to drive results. We push ourselves to simplify and innovate. When we fail, learn from it.  We will break with the past when necessary to move forward.

Act Like Owners - We take action. We build relationships across functions so we can see the company holistically and seek out opportunities for improvement.  We’re willing to sacrifice in one area if that leads to our overall success.

Do What’s Right - We behave ethically. We are transparent. We share information about the factors influencing our actions. Our behavior aligns with our values. Our products make the world a better place.

Create Opportunity for All - With success comes opportunity.  Everyone is respected and included.  We provide opportunities for all associates to reach their Full Potential.

This position requires full COVID-19 vaccination. Applicants may request exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons by contacting HBI_TA@hanes.com. 

To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled

Only applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us directly:  

Telephone: 877.999.5553

Email: HBI_TA@hanes.com