Senior Manager / Director, Product Licensing

Description:

At The IRONMAN Group, our purpose is clear: to inspire people to unlock their greatest potential through sport, pushing beyond limits to become the fullest expression of human achievement. Through our BE ICONIC vision, we are building the most loved brands, producing the world’s most inspiring events, and fostering deeply engaged communities that change lives. By 2028, we aim to empower over a million athletes to cross a finish line each year and inspire a billion people worldwide through the power of the human spirit. As part of our team, you’ll join a high-performance, caring culture where innovation thrives, communities are uplifted, and every achievement, big or small, is celebrated. You’ll help shape experiences that fill hearts, consume minds, and enrich souls. This is more than a job. It’s a chance to be part of a global movement, to lead from the front, and to leave a legacy. Together, we create moments that last a lifetime. The IRONMAN Group is the world's largest operator of mass participation sports, delivering over 200+ events a year across 55+ countries thanks to a passionate global team. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

For our World Triathlon Corporation d/b/a The IRONMAN Group in Tampa, Florida we are seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of Director, Product Licensing.

What You’ll Be Doing

Step into a role where no two days are the same, and your impact is felt far beyond your desk. You will:

Job Summary

We are seeking a Director or Senior Manager of Global Product Licensing - title determined by experience - to build and lead The IRONMAN Group’s global product licensing capability. This role will identify and evaluate new licensing opportunities, negotiate agreements, manage existing partnerships, and establish strategic relationships that expand the IRONMAN brand globally.

The ideal candidate is polished, agile, and highly collaborative, with proven experience in retail and brand licensing and the ability to represent the IRONMAN brand externally. Candidates with a range of experience levels are encouraged to apply; scope and title will be aligned with the selected candidate’s experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Development

• Build and/or partner with the SVP, Omnichannel Commerce to implement a global product licensing strategy aligned with IRONMAN’s brand vision and growth objectives.
• Develop a comprehensive playbook for licensing operations, including processes, standards, and best practices.

Opportunity Identification & Evaluation

• Research and assess potential licensing opportunities across global markets.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitive landscape to inform decisions.

Partnership Management

• Negotiate licensing agreements, ensuring favorable terms and compliance with brand standards.
• Manage and grow existing licensing relationships to maximize value and performance.
• Establish new partnerships with external leaders and organizations to expand product reach.

Compliance & Brand Standards

• Ensure all licensed products meet IRONMAN’s brand guidelines and legal requirements, including IP protection and trademark compliance.
• Maintain rigorous quality standards across all licensed products.

Financial Accountability

• Contribute to revenue targets and profitability for licensing deals.
• Develop forecasts, budgets, and financial models to track performance and growth.

Innovation & Growth

• Drive innovation in product categories and explore emerging trends such as sustainability and digital products.
• Identify new channels and markets for expansion.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a key ambassador for the IRONMAN brand in all external interactions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, retail, operations, and legal teams to ensure seamless execution of licensing initiatives.
• Foster a culture of excellence, agility, and collaboration across global teams.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel globally (approximately 20–30%) to meet partners, attend trade shows, and explore new markets.
• KPIs / Success Metrics:
• Number of new licensing agreements signed annually.
• Revenue growth from licensed products.
• Partner satisfaction and retention rates.
• Speed to market for new licensed products.
• Compliance with brand standards and quality benchmarks.

Requirements:

What You Bring to the Team

We’re looking for someone who doesn’t just tick boxes, but thrives in our fast-paced, global environment. Ideally, you have:

We welcome applicants with a range of experience; title and scope will align with candidate qualifications.

Minimum Requirements (Senior Manager Level)

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• 5–7+ years of experience in product licensing, retail, or brand management.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience supporting or managing agreements.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills.
• Highly polished, professional, and collaborative.
• Adaptable in a fast paced, global environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Director Level)

• MBA or advanced degree.
• 8–10+ years of experience with a proven track record of leading or scaling licensing programs.
• Experience owning licensing strategy and delivering multi year growth plans.
• Experience developing operational playbooks and scalable processes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and represent a global brand.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At The IRONMAN Group, we’re not just building careers—we’re building lifestyles driven by passion, performance, and purpose.

• A culture you can feel – Step into an open, modern, and friendly environment where teamwork crosses borders and cultures and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
• Live the race – Free entries to our legendary endurance events, so you can experience the event spirit first-hand.
• Grow without limits – Access to our online learning platform and other trainings to keep your skills sharp and your curiosity alive.
• We’ve got your back – Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to support you with both personal and professional challenges.
• Family comes first – An attractive parental leave policy that goes beyond statutory requirements.
• Work on your terms – Flexible hours and home-office (Hybrid) options let you balance your career with the things that matter most.
• The world is your office – Travel the globe while contributing to world-class events and thrilling international projects.

The above declarations are not intended to be an “all inclusive” list of duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job and are a reasonable representation of its activities.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.