Position
Licensing Manager
Status
Full-Time
Compensation
Exempt - $72-$82K Annually
Reports To
Vice President Product, Dotted Line to CEO
Location
Irvine, CA (On-Site)
Travel
Occasional domestic travel (approximately 10–15%) for licensor meetings, trade shows, and industry events
About Whimsocal Studios
Since 2009, Whimsocal Studios (formerly Orange Circle Studio) has been creating thoughtfully designed products that transform everyday moments into something extraordinary. Today, we are a growing portfolio of purpose-led brands across stationery, gifting, lifestyle, and baby categories, including Orange Circle Studio, Studio Oh!, Saturday Sundae, JuJuBe, Bella Tunno, and Scoops. Together, we create products that spark delight, celebrate everyday moments, and make a meaningful impact.
Everything we create is guided by one simple purpose: To Curate Small Joys. Whether it's bringing a smile through beautiful design, supporting independent artists, or giving back to our communities, we believe the smallest moments have the power to create the greatest impact.
At Whimsocal, our greatest strength is our people. We're a collaborative team of curious thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and passionate brand builders who believe creativity, innovation, and purpose can brighten everyday life. Together, we're creating brands that inspire joy, foster connection, and make a meaningful difference for our consumers, our retail partners, our employees, and the communities we serve.
About the Position
Sanrio. Miffy. tokidoki. Hunter. Spode. Rae Dunn. Whimsocal Studios builds products with some of the most loved brands in the world — and we are looking for the person who will own those partnerships, grow them, and win the next ones.
The Licensing Manager is the face of Whimsocal to our licensor partners. You will build the kind of trust that earns us the first call when a new property comes to market, and you will sell our full capability set — design, product development, sourcing, and go-to-market — across stationery, gifting, lifestyle, and baby. Every partner should leave a meeting with a bigger idea of what we can build together than the one they walked in with.
You will own the licensing contract process end to end, from term sheet through negotiation, execution, renewal, and amendment — and you will build the tracking discipline behind it, so every deliverable, approval, royalty report, and payment is accurate, documented, and early rather than late.
You will work shoulder to shoulder with Marketing to bring licensed programs to life through social media, advertising, and retailer launches, and you will actively hunt for brand collaborations that make strategic sense for Whimsocal — the partnerships that create products no one else can make.
Internally, you are the hub. Working across Product Development, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations, and directing the day-to-day work of the Project Coordinator, Licensing, you are accountable for delivering every licensed program on time, on brand, and in full compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Licensor Partnerships & New Business
- Own the day-to-day relationship with Whimsocal’s licensor partners — including Sanrio, Miffy, tokidoki, Hunter, Spode, and Rae Dunn — as their primary point of contact.
- Build trust through consistent communication, joint business reviews, and in-person meetings at showrooms, trade shows, and partner offices.
- Sell Whimsocal’s full capability set across stationery, gifting, lifestyle, and baby to expand existing licenses into new categories and additional brands within our portfolio.
- Prospect, research, and pitch new licensor partners and properties that fit our brands and our consumer.
- Build the capability decks, category plans, and business proposals that make Whimsocal the obvious licensee of choice.
- Actively source brand collaborations — brand-to-brand, licensor-to-licensor, and artist partnerships — that create newness competitors cannot copy.
Marketing, Launch & Collaboration
- Partner with Marketing to develop social media, advertising, and campaign content for every licensed program.
- Drive retailer launches alongside Sales and Marketing — line presentations, launch timing, exclusives, and in-store and online storytelling.
- Secure licensor approval on marketing assets, campaign creative, and ecommerce content, and keep partners current on how their brand is being represented.
- Unlock co-marketing opportunities with licensors, amplifying our launches through their channels and audiences.
- Evaluate and pursue collaborations between Whimsocal brands and outside brands that expand reach, open new doors, and create excitement.
- Ensure every consumer-facing touchpoint — packaging, ecommerce, social, and retail collateral — reflects licensor style guides and brand standards.
Contract Ownership & Compliance
- Own the licensing agreement process end to end, from term sheet through negotiation, execution, renewal, and amendment.
- Partner with leadership and legal counsel on deal terms — royalty rates, minimum guarantees, advances, territories, channels, and category rights.
- Translate contract language into clear, practical direction for Sales, Product Development, Marketing, Finance, and Operations.
- Maintain the master repository of executed agreements, amendments, and correspondence as the company’s single source of truth.
- Surface compliance risks early — exclusivity conflicts, channel restrictions, expiring terms — and resolve them before they become problems.
- Track renewal windows and option deadlines, and build the business case for what we renew, expand, or exit.
Tracking, Reporting & Payments
- Build and own the tracking systems that govern every contractual deliverable, deadline, and obligation across the portfolio.
- Guarantee on-time, accurate delivery of royalty reports, sales reports, minimum guarantee payments, advances, and audit requests.
- Monitor performance against minimum guarantees and sales thresholds, flagging both shortfalls and upside to leadership with a recommendation attached.
- Partner with Finance to validate royalty calculations and confirm every payment is correct and on schedule.
- Maintain documentation for product testing, certificates of insurance, trademark and copyright notices, and other required records.
- Publish regular updates to internal departments on upcoming obligations, amendments, and renewal timelines.
Program & Team Leadership
- Own the licensing calendar and drive every licensed program to on-time, on-brand, error-free delivery.
- Direct and develop the Project Coordinator, Licensing — setting priorities, reviewing work, and raising the bar.
- Oversee product approvals across all licensed programs, from concept through final production sample.
- Lead cross-functional kickoffs and status meetings that hold every launch to its contractual commitments and sales deadlines.
- Train other Project Leads and Project Coordinators on licensor submission standards and approval workflows.
- Follow and continuously improve style guides, procedures, protocols, standards, and SOPs.
- Track product, consumer, and pop culture trends, and bring ideas proactively to brainstorms and product development meetings.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of licensing, brand management, or related business operations experience.
- Demonstrated success building and growing external partner relationships, with the confidence to pitch and sell capabilities to senior stakeholders.
- Strong experience reviewing, interpreting, and managing licensing agreements and contractual requirements.
- Working knowledge of royalty calculations, minimum guarantees, advances, sales reporting, and contract compliance.
- Strong understanding of product development and licensed product approval processes.
- Experience partnering with marketing teams on campaigns, social media, and retailer launches.
- Proven project management skills and a track record of driving cross-functional teams to on-time, accurate delivery.
- Experience directing, mentoring, or managing the work of others.
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills and comfort working with sales and financial data.
- Highly organized, with exceptional attention to detail and strong research and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence both internal teams and external partners.
- Willingness to travel domestically for licensor meetings, trade shows, and industry events.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in the gift, stationery, greeting card, or baby/juvenile products industry.
- Direct experience negotiating, renewing, or amending licensing agreements.
- Experience working with character, artist, or lifestyle licensors and their approval portals.
- Track record of sourcing or executing brand collaborations.
- Experience building tracking systems, dashboards, or databases to manage contractual obligations.
- Experience with SAP or comparable ERP and reporting platforms.
- Experience representing a company to partners at trade shows such as Licensing Expo, NY NOW, or Atlanta Market.
Measures of Success
- Growth of the licensing portfolio through renewed agreements, expanded categories, and new licensor partnerships.
- At least one new brand collaboration sourced and brought to market each year.
- Licensor partners consistently name Whimsocal Studios as one of their most responsive and best-organized licensees.
- On-time, accurate submission of every royalty report, payment, and contractual deliverable.
- No material compliance findings, breaches, or missed obligations across the portfolio.
- Licensed launches delivered on time and on brand, with marketing and retailer support fully approved ahead of ship dates.
- First-round licensor approval rates improving year over year.
- A single, reliable source of truth for every agreement, obligation, and deadline that any department can rely on.
- Achievement of minimum guarantee, sales, and profit targets across licensed programs.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- 401(k)
- Paid Vacation, Sick Time & Holidays
- Employer-paid Long-Term Disability
- Employee Product Discounts
- Career Growth Opportunities
If you're passionate about people, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to help build a company that creates joy every day, we'd love to hear from you.
Whimsocal Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
How to Apply
Please apply through our Indeed posting or submit your resume directly to [email protected]. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Whimsocal Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Whimsocal Studios provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the application process and in the performance of essential job functions. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected].
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
Pay: $72,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
