Senior Manager, Licensing

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About the Role & Team

Building on a legacy of over 135 years, National Geographic Explorers have ventured across continents, remote cultures, ocean depths, and towering mountains. National Geographic Expeditions extends this legacy, allowing travelers to embrace their inner explorer and witness the wonders of the world up close and in depth. With Signature Land, Expedition Cruise, River Cruise, or Private Jet options, National Geographic Expeditions provides unparalleled access to the world with knowledgeable Experts. Additionally, every trip booked supports the global nonprofit National Geographic Society, contributing to the work of National Geographic Explorers worldwide in protecting and illuminating our world through exploration, research, and education

The Senior Manager, Licensing is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, and long‑term growth of the assigned licensing portfolio. You will bring deep cruise and Partnership expertise in the travel industry, strong operational acumen, and proven people leadership to steward brand integrity, partner performance, and financial outcomes across a global portfolio.

Reporting into the broader commercial and brand ecosystem, this role serves as a critical connector across operations, product, finance, legal, brand, and commercial teams, ensuring licensing strategies are fully integrated, compliant, and value‑creating. In this role, you will lead a team of licensing professionals and work closely with third‑party operators to deliver exceptional, brand‑aligned guest experiences at scale.

This is a highly relationship‑driven role requiring credibility, sound judgment, and the ability to balance strategic ambition with operational discipline.

The Senior Manager, Licensing will report to the Director, Licensing & Partnerships for Adventures and Expeditions(A&E) and will be based and sit on-site in Celebration, FL.

What You Will Do

• Enterprise Leadership & Team Development
  • Provide senior leadership to the Licensing team, setting clear direction, performance expectations, and development pathways.
  • Build and sustain a culture of accountability, expertise, and continuous improvement across internal teams and large‑scale external partner organizations.
  • Act as a trusted advisor and escalation point for complex operational, commercial, and partner issues.
• Licensing Strategy & Business Performance
  • Define and execute the long‑term strategic roadmap for the licensing portfolio, aligned with enterprise objectives and brand priorities.
  • Own delivery of Long‑Term Plan (LTP) and Annual Operating Plan (AOP) targets for the portfolio, while enabling Licensing Managers to own line‑level forecasting, delivery, and variance management.
  • Identify portfolio-level growth opportunities, market expansion potential, and operational efficiencies.
• Operational & Brand Governance
  • Maintain and evolve Brand Licensing Product Standards across the end‑to‑end guest journey, including trip development, operations, risk and security, product quality, guest relations, and marketing.
  • Oversee governance processes to ensure all licensed products, communications, and materials meet brand, legal, and quality standards.
  • Proactively identify operational and reputational risks, implementing mitigation strategies to protect brand equity and business continuity.
• Partner & Contract Management
  • Lead complex, high-value negotiations with licensed operators, establishing commercial frameworks that balance brand integrity, financial performance, and long‑term partnership value.
  • Work closely with Legal to structure, negotiate, and execute complex licensing agreements.
  • Build and maintain trusted, long‑term relationships with licensors, licensees, and strategic partners globally.
• Financial Oversight & Analytics
  • Partner with Finance to deliver accurate forecasting, budgeting, and performance reporting across the licensing portfolio.
  • Leverage KPIs, data, and business intelligence to drive informed decision‑making, improve partner performance, and exceed financial targets.
  • Ensure strong financial controls, transparency, and accountability across all licensed operations.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 10+ years of experience in the travel industry (including cruise line operations; experience with activities and excursions strongly preferred), Consumer Products, or Brand/Licensing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, scale, and develop high‑performing teams.
• Strong understanding of brand‑led businesses, storytelling, and the governance required to protect brand integrity at scale.
• Proven track record of developing strategic business plans and delivering financial results against multi‑year targets.
• Executive‑level communication and influencing skills, with experience engaging and negotiating with C‑suite and board‑adjacent levels.
• Experience partnering closely with Legal on complex commercial agreements.
• Strong operational mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Entrepreneurial and growth‑oriented approach, with experience building or scaling businesses or teams.
• Willingness to travel for business as needed; Possess a valid passport.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience managing licensed businesses and distribution partnerships, ideally within a complex, global environment.
• Advanced financial acumen, including ownership of multi‑million‑dollar budgets and accountability for revenue growth and profitability.
• Exceptional negotiation skills, with experience securing large‑scale commercial agreements exceeding $50M+ in gross sales value.

Required Education:

• Four year degree or equivalent relevant work experience.

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits 

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