Sports Licensing Manager

<div class="content-intro"><p>Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.</p></div><p><strong>Position Summary</strong></p> <p>The Licensing Manager leads the sports licensing approval and royalty process, overseeing a direct report and serving as the primary point of contact for licensors, internal teams, and account managers. This role owns the approvals workflow, partners with Finance on royalty reporting and audits, manage day-to-day licensor relationships, and ensures contract and manufacturer agreement compliance across all sports properties.</p> <p>This role carries financial/budgetary and strategic planning responsibility and requires the ability to absorb extremely detailed guidelines and corporate standards, identify issues, and recommend thoughtful business solutions. Limited travel may be required.</p> <p>This role requires a strong affinity for sports and a background in sports marketing or sports operations, along with a proven record of managing complex analytical and financial details. Prior experience in the ad specialty, advertising, or promotions industry is preferred but not required.</p> <p><strong>LOCATION: </strong></p> <p> </p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in;" type="disc"> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">This role follows a hybrid schedule, with </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">4 days onsite and 1 day remote each week</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">. </span></li> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">To be considered, candidates must reside within commuting </span><span style="vertical-align: sub; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">distance</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"> of one of BDA's offices in </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Atlanta, GA; Indianapolis, IN; Troy, MI; Woodinville, WA; Austin, TX; or Dallas, TX</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">, as regular in-person collaboration is an essential part of the role.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p> <p><strong>Approvals</strong></p> <ul> <li>Serve as primary interface for entering sports approval requests (Creative, Royalties, Campaigns, Key Initiatives), including but not limited to: <ul> <li>QC Forms and Tracking — submission, tracking, and follow-up on forms and art submitted for all leagues</li> <li>Management of the SharePoint portal</li> <li>Communicate with all sports-related business and account managers throughout all phases of the approval process</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Reporting</strong></p> <ul> <li>Partner with Finance on monthly and quarterly compilation and reconciliation of all royalty-related projects, assist with auditing annually, and provide error reporting for coaching opportunities</li> </ul> <p><strong>Brand Expertise</strong></p> <ul> <li>Serve as the subject