Job title: Syndication & Licensing Director (The Economist)
Location: London, UK (full-time)
Reporting line: Reports to EVP Strategic Partnerships
Team / scope: Leads and develops a team of 3 (sales and account management) with accountability for revenue growth, renewals, margin, and risk.
Role Summary
The Syndication & Licensing Director leads The Economist’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
Commercial leadership & revenue delivery
* 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
Partner strategy & business development
* Define partner strategy: where The Economist 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
Rights, licensing, and governance
* 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
Operational excellence
* 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
People & cross‑functional leadership
* 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 The Economist 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 The Economist’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‑e‑nd 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
The majority of our roles operate on a hybrid working pattern, with 3+ days office attendance required.
What We Offer
Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work‑life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.
We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.
You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.
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