Director Licensing Operations

A Games like no other in a place like no other, are you:

• A passionate individual, with a proven track record of building and managing successful, cross-functional operating plans through which the commercialisation of strong IP has been realised.
• Able to develop and execute ‘fit for purpose’ event retail infrastructure to reach a wide and varied consumer base, delivering products and services that enhance the Games brand and Games-time experience for all fans and spectators across all Games milestones.
• A confident team leader, able to manage geographically spread teams with challenging timelines and scope.

Overall responsibility of the Victoria 2026 Licensing and Merchandise (LM) Programme, and delivery of agreed commercial requirements and targets sits with the CGFP’s Executive Director Commercial Integration, Licensing & Legacy, to who this role reports.
The Director Licensing Operations will build a strong team to co-ordinate an integrated effort with the wider stakeholder group and oversee delivery of licensee product and services ‘in-store’ and online. The Director Licensing Operations will demonstrate timely, owned and co-ordinated levels of LM operational delivery across the OC.
This role requires a motivated and adaptable individual with the ability to manage multiple workstreams in parallel and build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, including licensees, commercial and operational teams. They will be the lead in developing and delivering LM policies and procedures, a key influence in the delivery of commercial contract operational obligations of the OC, and a champion of the delivery of all the LM programme requirements, ensuring they are considered at all stages of operational planning from venue operations planning to Games service delivery.

Key Responsibilities
Licensing and Merchandising Operational Delivery

• Oversee the planning and delivery of a successful LM operation.
• Ensure seamless end to end delivery of the operational aspects of the LM programme, through efficient and well managed operational processes and plans to provide the infrastructure for revenue delivery.
• Work in partnership with licensees proactively, to ensure V2026 FAs are aligned to support the licensees with their requirements in order to achieve commercial targets.

Licensing and Merchandising Programme Integration

• Overall responsibility of the operational aspects of the LM programme delivery in line with the agreed strategy.
• Work in close collaboration with CGFP Executive Director Commercial Integration, Licensing and Legacy to facilitate communication between internal and external parties in order to produce linked LM business planning to maximise commercial opportunities and their operational planning.
• Work closely with the CGFP Executive Director Commercial Integration, Licensing and Legacy to effectively co-ordinate and manage the LM delivery plan to achieve the royalty revenue target.
• Day to day management of the operational requirements of the Master Licensee (ML) and Specialist licensees appointed.
• Support and delivery of a multi-channel distribution strategy to maximise consumer access and revenues.
• Manage the development of the LM Style guide and Retail Guidelines
• Plan and deliver the LM marketing plan in collaboration with licensees and V2026 FAs
• Coordinate all Licensing projects including product launches, promotional activities, retail activations and V2026 LM events e.g. Mascot reveal.
• Drive awareness, interest and value in the V2026 brand and build long-term value in the Commonwealth Sport brand.

Games Time Planning and Delivery

• Proactively collaborate with all relevant V2026 FAs to develop and integrate end-to-end Games time delivery plan.
• Oversee the planning and operational delivery of the LM FA during Games-time.
• Pre-Games planning and delivery of collaborative programmes across the OC that support post Games asset dissolution activity and maximise revenue generation and legacy opportunities.

Team Management

• Recruit, manage and motivate a high performing and highly productive team.
• Delegate effectively and enable team members to achieve in order to maximise efficiencies.

Requirements

• Over 5 years of licensing operations planning and delivery.
• Licensing operations experience working with major sport events or sports’ governing bodies.
• A strong understanding of brand and image protection.
• Demonstrable track record in forging excellent working relationships with multiple partners often with competing demands.
• Experience in contract management
• Brand protection understanding and know how.