International Licensing Associate

Company: King Features, a unit of Hearst
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid – 3 days in office)
Department: International Licensing
Reports To: SVP/GM, Global Head of Licensing
Type: Full-time

Position Overview

King Features is seeking an International Licensing Associate to support the strategic growth and day-to-day management of its International Licensing business. This role works across both owned and represented intellectual property, contributing to the global expansion of a portfolio of iconic and emerging brands.

The Associate will play a meaningful role in agent and licensee management, contract administration, business analysis, and new business development support. This position requires strong organization, sound judgment, analytical capability, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, opportunity-driven environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious, detail-oriented professional looking to build a career in international licensing, brand management, and global consumer products.

Key Responsibilities

International Agent & Licensee Management

• Oversee day-to-day communications and relationship management with international agents and direct licensees across assigned territories
• Drive agent meeting cadence, including preparation, documentation, and follow-up on recurring deliverables
• Assist with onboarding, renewals, and contract negotiations
• Draft and process deal memos for new agreements and renewals
• Route and track contracts internally; partner with Legal on documentation and execution
• Provide monthly contract status updates and reporting analysis
• Coordinate quarterly forecasts from agents and licensees; assist in budget tracking and performance analysis
• Support trademark documentation and other licensing compliance needs

New Business & Strategic Support

• Assist in identifying and evaluating new international licensing opportunities
• Conduct category and territory gap analyses to support growth strategy
• Monitor competitive and marketplace trends
• Support prospecting outreach, pitch preparation, and partner discussions
• Develop presentations for internal meetings, external pitches, trade shows, line reviews, and retail meetings

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Legal, Creative, Marketing, Social, PR, and Finance teams to support licensing initiatives
• Provide product and licensee updates to inform retail and marketing strategies
• Coordinate creative kickoff meetings with priority partners
• Communicate brand and territory performance updates to internal stakeholders

Operational & Administrative Support

• Maintain tracking logs, reporting tools, and licensing documentation
• Coordinate meetings with international agents and partners
• Ensure organization and follow-through across multiple licensing initiatives

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 1–3 years of relevant experience (licensing, media, entertainment, consumer products, or related field preferred)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent presentation and organizational skills
• Analytical mindset with the ability to review forecasts and financial data
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• Experience with Mediabox, DRM systems, or contract management platforms is a plus
• Foreign language proficiency is a plus

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented
• Strategic thinker with strong follow-through
• Adaptable and comfortable navigating shifting priorities
• Collaborative team player with strong relationship-building skills
• Professional, confident communicator with global perspective

Our Benefits:

At Hearst Newspapers we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual’s physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family). Our industry-leading benefits include:-Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.

• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too – helping you keep them happy and healthy.
• And more, click here for additional benefits and details.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in New York State. The reasonable estimate, if hired in New York State, is $60, 000 - $65,000. Please note this information is specific to those hired in New York State. If this role is open to candidates outside of New York State, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location. A final decision on the successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.

About King Features

King Features is a premier producer and distributor of the world’s most iconic intellectual properties and a leader in classic character licensing and franchise development. With one of the longest-running consumer products programs in the industry, King Features’ portfolio includes world-renowned pop culture brands such as Popeye®, Cuphead, Flash Gordon™, The Phantom™, Hägar the Horrible, Moomin, Prince Valiant® and Mandrake the Magician. King Features produced the Emmy-nominated series The Cuphead Show! with Netflix Animation, which debuted in 2022. As content syndication specialists, the company distributes beloved comics such as Blondie, Beetle Bailey®, Mutts™, and dozens of others as well as columns, editorial cartoons, and puzzles across multiple platforms and content providers around the globe. King Features is part of Hearst Newspapers, which publishes 24 dailies and 52 weeklies, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, and Times Union (Albany, New York), and operates local digital marketing services and directories.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories–growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms–to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger–Your Headline Awaits