Role
We are launching a dedicated Value Licensing team, a high‑growth initiative designed to establish NEXT as the destination for affordable, licensed products across Womenswear, Menswear and Children’swear. This brand‑new team will focus on securing new partnerships, expanding category reach and delivering ranges that capture global market trends. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of something new and extremely exciting.
Job Description
As Head of Brand, you will lead your team in creating and delivering a profitable and commercial value range to maximise sales. You will adopt an inspirational and motivating management style to bring out the best in the team and support them to achieve excellence. The role is based at The Barn (Market Harborough office) and is responsible for building a new value‑licensed business within NEXT.
What You’ll Take On
- Strategy and Portfolio Growth: Own, develop and present the brand licensing strategy to the Brand Director. Direct category expansion, lead negotiations for new global licensing partnerships and prioritise brands, categories and markets for sustainable, profitable growth. Define and implement a robust brand architecture and pricing direction to prevent internal competition and enable incremental growth.
- Commercial and Financial Oversight: Take full P&L ownership for the value licensing portfolio, oversee the departmental budget, drive financial forecasting and implement processes for licensee reporting.
- Brand Governance and Compliance: Define, implement and enforce brand guidelines and a governance and approvals framework across the value‑licensed products.
- Leadership: Recruit, grow and inspire a high‑performing value licensing team.
What You’ll Bring
- Lead, inspire and motivate a team.
- Identify and seize opportunities, demonstrating an enterprising and responsive approach.
- Show resilience and comfort with intelligent risks.
- Demonstrate clear and concise communication skills.
- Be analytical and numerate.
- Influence and take initiative when others don’t.
You will be a seasoned leader in brand licensing products, with a proven track record of managing a significant product business area. The role requires expertise in developing commercial ranges and negotiating high‑value agreements, and a history of making confident commercial decisions. You will be highly organised, self‑motivated and adept at senior stakeholder management.
Sponsorship
Candidates requiring sponsorship must meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Profit‑related bonus based on company performance
- Management share options
- Company car or car allowance
- Private medical insurance
- Sharesave scheme – save from net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
- Pension – fixed contribution rates with optional additional voluntary contributions
- Life assurance
- Group income protection
- Wagestream – help make the most of your money
- Salary finance – access to affordable loans repaid through salary and savings education
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products and other products
- Direct to work – free delivery of NEXT orders to the office for collection
- VIP sale – early access to the NEXT sale
- Access to NEXT staff shops
- Octopus energy – cycle‑to‑work style scheme for electric vehicles
- Free parking (excluding London locations)
- Travel2NEXT – bus services dependent on location
- On‑site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services, including discounted cinema tickets
- Wellhub – access to discounted gym membership
- Simply health – a healthcare subscription service
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service – 7 free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check
- On‑site GP – Leicester Head Office
- On‑site Physiotherapy – Leicester Head Office
- Dedicated third‑party wellbeing partners
- Free eye testing – voucher to use at specific locations
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long‑term condition, please email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (include “Workplace Adjustments” in the subject line) or call 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
