Senior Licensing Manager
Zuru · Auckland
About ZURU
ZURU is a reimagination company. We look for categories that have stood still, then we build next-generation products and brands that set the new standard. ZURU Toys is reimagining play. ZURU Edge is reinventing everyday consumer brands. Rhodes Pet Science is reimagining pet science. ZURU Tech is leading the next building revolution.
ZURU started in 2003 with two brothers from New Zealand, and we're still founder-owned and operated today. Since then we've become the world's second-biggest privately held toy company, and nearly half of all Gen Y and Gen Z households with kids in the US own a ZURU product. Today we're 5,000 people in 34 offices, selling into more than 150 markets, backed by over 100 acres of fully automated manufacturing. And we're only getting started.
ROLE PURPOSE
The Senior Licensing Manager owns business development, category strategy, and portfolio growth across a broad, fast-moving, trend-led set of licensing categories — such as Brand & Lifestyle, Beauty, FMCG, and broader studio & entertainment partnerships — spanning both ZURU Toys and other ZURU Edge brands. Category scope is expected to evolve as the business scales. This role is focused on new business development, category strategy, and staying ahead of market trends.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT
You will focus on fast-moving, trend-based IP across a broad remit of lifestyle and culture — spotting what's next before it's obvious and turning it into commercial opportunity fast. Success looks like a constantly expanding pipeline and a portfolio that keeps evolving with the market.
CORE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Category Strategy, Trends & Business Development
Shape category strategy across categories such as Brand & Lifestyle, Beauty, FMCG, and broader studio & entertainment partnerships, driving domestic and global growth plans.
Track and translate emerging trends across toys and other ZURU Edge brands into actionable category and licensing opportunities.
Own new business development, building and managing a high-volume pipeline of prospective licensors and brand partners.
Licensor Relationship & Deal Management
Own and grow relationships across a high volume of active licensor and brand partnerships, driving performance against royalty and revenue targets.
Lead negotiation and execution of licensing agreements, renewals, and amendments.
Implement new licensee onboarding, including deal memo set-up and the creative approval process.
Portfolio & Team Management
Lead and develop your team, with category focus expected to evolve as the portfolio grows.
Set priorities across a wide, high-volume portfolio and balance workload across the team.
Run regular 1:1s and support career growth toward more senior scope.
Contract and Financial Management
Review terms, minimum guarantees, and royalty structures in partnership with Legal and Finance.
Track and report on royalty performance across the portfolio, flagging risk and opportunity early.
Special Projects & Emerging Categories
Partner with the Head of Licensing & Partnerships on special projects and emerging category opportunities as they arise, from early scoping through to execution.
Support the operational build-out of new initiatives as the portfolio evolves.
Reporting and Forecasting
• Own forecasting accuracy and pipeline reporting across the portfolio.
• Provide regular performance updates to the Head of Licensing & Partnerships.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING
• 6-8 years' experience in business development, account management, or licensing, ideally within consumer products, FMCG, or entertainment, with global exposure preferred.
• A demonstrated track record of building pipeline and closing new licensor or brand partnerships at pace.
• Experience managing a high volume of active licensing agreements and driving performance against royalty and revenue targets.
• Experience managing or mentoring a team, with the flexibility and readiness to take on more as it grows.
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and prioritisation skills across a broad and evolving portfolio.
• Strong awareness of market and category trends across consumer categories, with the ability to translate them into commercial opportunities.
Based in Auckland, New Zealand.
Who thrives at ZURU
This isn't a 9-to-5. We move fast, think big and set goals most companies would call impossible, then go after them. The people who thrive here are entrepreneurs at heart. They own their work, chase bold ideas and never stop raising the bar.
At ZURU, you drive your career, and we give you the platform to take it as far as you can. There are opportunities here that you won’t find anywhere else, and you'll be surrounded by talented people who make things happen. We're a true meritocracy: we reward impact, not tenure.
How we work
Big ideas happen when great people work side by side, so we're office-first by design. Being together means faster collaboration, sharper decisions and stronger teams, and it's where the real learning happens. Some flexibility may be available depending on the role, location and business needs, but most roles are office-based.
Want to see what life at ZURU really looks like? Follow LIFE@ZURU on Instagram or www.zuru.com
ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow 🚀
ZURU may use AI tools to help screen, assess or select applicants.