Head of Licensing & Merchandising

Wattpad WEBTOON Studios brings together technology, a diverse new generation of creators, and passionate global fandoms to create data-backed, audience-driven TV shows, films, and books. Leveraging incredible stories and insights from WEBTOON and Wattpad’s combined audience of more than 166 million people, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios has pioneered a bold, global, fan-first approach to entertainment. Wattpad WEBTOON Studios has worked with Netflix, Sony Pictures Television, Crunchyroll, The Jim Henson Company, Vertigo Entertainment, Constantin Film, Penguin Random House, and many other leaders in entertainment and publishing.

Don’t meet all the requirements? Studies show women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs if they do not meet all the qualifications. Therefore, in an effort to build a more diverse workplace, we encourage you to apply anyways. You might actually be the right person or you may be a good fit for a number of other openings we currently have.

Our ideal candidate will have experience working closely with agents, creators, manufacturers, sales and marketing, and proven success growing a consumer products business primarily through licensing IP. We are looking for someone with entrepreneurial spirit, not shy about rolling up your sleeves and contributing to the operational as well as strategic goals. You will leverage your industry expertise and act as a leader to our small nimble team. This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to shape the next chapter of WWS’ growth and success, overseeing a diverse portfolio of initiatives, collaborating closely with our Publishing and Entertainment businesses and engaging our amazing fandom.

What you'll be doing:

• Develop comprehensive licensing and merchandising strategies aligned with WEBTOON Entertainment’s overall objectives, IP library, and creator community
• Manage a diverse portfolio of licensing agreements, evaluating and optimizing existing partnerships while actively seeking new opportunities for growth
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across various departments including Platforms, Entertainment and Publishing to ensure we maximize each IP during its lifecycle, on and off platform
• Lead business development and negotiations for licensing agreements, balancing short and long term revenue goals with sustainable servicing requirements
• Collaborate on budgeting, forecasting, and business analysis for the licensing and merchandising division, driving path to profitability
• Drive continuous improvement to divisional growth by tracking and leveraging significant industry trends, market dynamics, and consumer insights
• Cultivate strong relationships with licensees, retailers, and other key stakeholders, serving as the primary point of contact for partnership health and escalation
• Collaborate with internal teams, creators and partners on product development
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and legal standards governing the merchandising business, working closely with legal, brand safety and other stakeholder teams as needed

What we're looking for:

• Proven leadership experience in licensing or merchandising roles within the entertainment, media or consumer products industries, with a successful track record

• Demonstrated experience in building licensing businesses from an early stage, the ability to develop and execute strategic plans that drive revenue growth and market expansion with operational efficiency

• Extensive experience working with IP across multiple formats with a deep understanding of brand management and franchise development principles

• Experience in managing both B2B and D2C channels

• Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to secure favorable terms and build a portfolio of mutually beneficial partnerships

• A network of high-level relationships across the licensing and merchandising space

• Ability to thrive and lead in an innovative, entrepreneurial environment

• Polished and effective communicator

• Team player who works well with others

• Creative and level-headed problem solver

Bonus points for:

• Proven financial acumen, with experience managing a divisional P&L
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and drive informed decision-making
• Experience in publishing and/or creator economies a plus
• Experience with Digital First IP
• Knowledge of and interest in comics and/or webcomics, with an understanding of their communities
• Experience working cross functionally across global teams
• History of driving commercial revenue and indirect franchise marketing value back to the business through the merchandising, marketing strategies and customer experience

What we offer:

• Career development; we believe in mentorship and investing in your learning, supporting you to achieve your goals
• Health benefits, including vision and dental!
• RRSP Contributions (Canada), 401K Contributions (USA)
• Generous vacation and Parental Leave Top-up
• Corporate discount for gym memberships for you and your family
• Winter break shutdown and a whole lot more!

Wattpad WEBTOON Studios is conducting all interviews in a distributed manner using applicable third party software where needed and using visual interface tools such as Google Hangouts and Zoom.

About Wattpad WEBTOON Studios

Who are we? Entrepreneurs and Do-ers. Our vision is to entertain and connect the world through stories, and our mission is to use the power of community and technology to unleash the full potential of stories to the world.

What does that mean? We are visionaries, community builders, passionate problem solvers, storytellers, coffee snobs (tea drinkers, too!), curious by nature, and culturally diverse.

What are we obsessed with? Our users. Solving complex problems and maximizing flow. Learning constantly. Building the next great storytelling product. Finding the greatest stories ever told. Dogs (and cats), coffee, and good snacks.

How do we work? Autonomously, collaboratively, respectfully. Balancing with work, family, and play...and all while having a great time.

We are a remote friendly company and encourages remote candidates to apply as long as they are located and authorized to work in either the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) as a precondition of employment. We are not able to sponsor applicants for work permits.

Culture and Diversity

Wattpad is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate. Period.

Wattpad welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We have taken a leadership position on creating a culture and an organization that truly values diversity. We are committed to fostering a global team that reflects the diversity of the Wattpad community. At Wattpad, we believe cultural fit doesn’t mean culturally identical, and diversity of thought helps us to challenge one another to think big and think differently. We consider employment applicants without regard to age, race, colour, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other protected status.

If you have any special needs or accessibility requirements, please let us know. We will do our utmost to accommodate, in accordance with applicable local legislation.