Description About the Role: Based at Enderby Head Office, Leicestershire. Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am to 6pm This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make an impact and contribute to the continuing success of the Licensing area. Licensing is a rapidly expanding area at Next, this role will be focused on the Laura Ashley brand within our Home Brands department. We are looking for a Licensing Manager who has strong commercial acumen, with the ability to prioritise and develop all licensing and sub licensing opportunities for the brand. A collaborative individual who can influence and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders. Demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness in managing negotiations and competing priorities, with a proven ability to overcome obstacles. What You'll Be Doing Strategy & Growth: You will develop and deliver a long-term brand growth strategy to all stakeholders. This includes identifying and securing new business opportunities and commercially appraising potential partnerships to ensure they align with our goals. Partner Management: Onboard new licensing partners while nurturing and growing relationships with our existing partners. You'll be the primary point of contact for all licensee communication, managing budgets and ensuring collaborative success. Operational Leadership: Take charge of the department's budget and forecasting, working closely with the Merchandising team to track and report on licensee performance. You'll lead all brand trade and stakeholder meetings, ensuring seamless cross-divisional communication and timely project delivery. Market & Product Expertise: Maintain a deep understanding of market trends and competitor activity to inform product and category strategy. Events & Communication: Organise and host engaging wholesale and licensing events for all partners. You'll also be responsible for chairing monthly stakeholder meetings to ensure the brand vision is clear and effectively communicated across departments, including Marketing, Product, and Ecommerce. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced professional to make a significant impact on our brand's expansion. If you're a strategic thinker with a knack for building strong relationships and a passion for brand growth, we want to hear from you. About You: Drawing on your experience in a similar role and Home product environment, you should possess a thorough knowledge of the licensing process, including deal negotiation, managing critical paths, and maintaining a strong commercial acumen and market awareness. We are seeking a highly motivated and resilient individual with a high attention to detail and accuracy, who is also capable of taking initiative and showing leadership. You must be resourceful and adaptable, willing to step out of your comfort zone, and possess strong problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills. Excellent written and verbal communication is essential, as is the ability to manage priorities and effectively plan and organise your work. Sponsorship Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.