Senior Manager

The Senior Manager, New Business Development & Emerging Markets, is a key part of the global consumer products team, responsible for identifying Consumer Products opportunities, setting the strategy for NFL emerging markets and accelerating revenue growth across international CP.   This role will work closely with the international strategy team, local GMs, and cross functions across the organization to identify new market opportunities and drive long term brand expansion and fandom in key emerging regions around the world. The ideal candidate brings deep international licensing experience, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for growing sport globally.   

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute NFL’s international licensing strategy across emerging markets, including, APAC and Middle East.
• Build licensing agency strategy for key emerging markets. Identify best in class agency partners and manage these relationships.   
• Lead relationship with licensing agencies on record on expansion into key regions.
• Identify, negotiate, and manage new licensing agreements with regional and local partners across apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products; partner with licensing agency where relevant.
• Collaborate with international marketing teams to build programs and campaigns that drive revenue and support fan growth.
• Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape to inform licensing strategy and product portfolio.
• Build locally relevant programs and story telling relevant to each market/region.
• Partner with Events team on any local in-market fan events, developing event-based retail presence and execution.
• Manage ongoing relationships with licensees, including business reviews, product approvals, assortment planning, etc.
• Develop and manage key retailer relationships within each market/region.
• Develop annual consumer products business plan for each region and update quarterly.
• Partner with Sponsorship on identifying and executing joint commercial opportunities.
• Own local city or stakeholder relationship from a licensing perspective.
• Track KPIs, forecast revenue, and provide regular business reporting to senior leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, MBA preferred
• 8+ years experience in sports licensing, with a strong emphasis on international expansion
• Proven track record of negotiating and managing complex partner agreements across multiple regions, specifically APAC and MENA
• Experience with licensing agency selection and management
• Deep understanding of APAC and MENA retail landscapes, sports product distribution models, and building market entry strategies, including branded retail
• Experience working with global sports brands
• Experience executing experiential event retail at large scale tentpole events
• Strong knowledge of American Football, specifically youth programs
• Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, budgeting, and royalty modelling
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and partner management skills
• Ability to operate in a fast paced, matrixed, global organization

Other Key Attributes / Talent Characteristics:

• Familiarity with APAC, MENA market dynamics
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on mindset
• Multilingual a plus

Travel:

50% - international travel