Syndication and Licensing Director

Job Description

The Syndication & Licensing Director leads [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]'s global syndication and licensing business - growing revenue through strategic partnerships that distribute or embed Economist journalism and data across third-party platforms and products. The role combines commercial leadership, deal-making, partner management, and cross-functional coordination with editorial, legal, product, finance, and marketing to ensure partnerships enhance reach while protecting brand, rights, and quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the commercial plan for syndication and licensing, including £xm revenue accountability and agreed growth targets
• Build a high-quality pipeline and prioritise opportunities
• Lead complex negotiations (pricing, scope, term, territory, rights, and usage), balancing near-term revenue with long-term strategic value
• Forecast accurately; manage renewals and upsell/cross-sell opportunities to maximise retention and lifetime value
• Define partner strategy: where [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] should license content/IP, under what models, and with what guardrails
• Develop and maintain senior relationships with decision-makers at major partners; act as commercial escalation point
• Identify new growth opportunities, develop business cases
• Set and maintain licensing frameworks: standard terms, rate cards/pricing logic, permitted uses (including AI), compliance requirements, and approval workflows
• Ensure agreements protect IP, brand integrity, editorial standards, and legal obligations (e.g. copyright)
• Monitor partner compliance
• Own the operating rhythm for the syndication/licensing business: KPIs, dashboards, pipeline reviews, renewal calendars, and monthly business reviews
• Improve systems and processes that reduce friction
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3: clear goals, role clarity, performance management, and career development
• Build a high-performance culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and excellence
• Work closely with Editorial, Product/Technology, Marketing, Legal, Finance teams
• Represent [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] externally as a senior commercial leader in content licensing and partnerships

Candidate Profile

Experience:

• Significant commercial experience in syndication, content licensing, media partnerships, IP licensing, or adjacent B2B2C subscription/data/content businesses
• Proven track record owning and growing a multi-million-pound revenue line, including renewals and complex negotiations
• Experience leading teams (people management plus setting direction and operating cadence)
• Strong understanding of rights frameworks (territory, term, formats, exclusivity, usage, derivatives/adaptations)

Skills & Capabilities:

• Expert negotiator with strong commercial judgement and strategic thinker
• Operationally strong: forecasting, KPI design, CRM/pipeline discipline, and process improvement
• Confident senior stakeholder manager - able to influence exec-level stakeholders with clarity and diplomacy
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to turn complexity into crisp decision points

Personal Attributes:

• High integrity and strong alignment with [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]'s editorial standards and brand values
• Highly reliable and consistent: delivers on commitments, runs a dependable operating cadence, and is trusted by stakeholders to follow through
• High ownership mindset: takes end-to-end accountability for outcomes, not just activity; proactive in spotting issues early and resolving them
• Resilient and adaptable: maintains momentum through ambiguity, changing priorities, and partner complexity
• Detail-aware without losing the big picture
• Highly collaborative

Working Arrangements & Benefits

The majority of our roles operate on a hybrid working pattern, with 3+ days office attendance required. Our benefits package includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, Work From Anywhere program (up to 25 days per year), generous annual and parental leave, volunteering days, and free access to all [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] content.