Director, Brand Partnerships & Licensing

About Us

Who we are:

Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business, travel and performance luxury essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate, and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, we’re committed to empowering journeys as a lifelong partner to movers and makers in pursuit of their passions. The brand is sold globally in over 75 countries with approximately 2,000 points of sale.

Job Description

The Director Brand Partnerships and Licensing will have strategic oversight and general management accountability across all global brand licensing businesses, collaboration partnerships, and long-term strategic brand partnerships. Working closely with each business partner, and key internal stakeholders, this role will be responsible for brand strategy and leading an integrated partnership approach through to successful execution across DTC and Partner Channels Globally.

Responsibilities

• Represent TUMI externally in a variety of interactions and with varying levels of leadership.
• Partner with senior leadership, partners and licensees to support TUMI product and positioning strategy that supports brand, category, and commercial goals.
• Identify business and brand building opportunities.
• Deliver Royalty Income and Division P&L, as well as DTC contribution and margin targets
• Optimize contribution, reach and footprint that support brand vision, commercial and client objectives.
• Oversee vision through execution across global DTC and third-party distribution
  
  

Business Development

• Highlight and develop potential brand product extensions and new business opportunities. Gather internal alignment.
• Research and identify key license partners and special project collaborations
• Develop and negotiate all licensing and special project contracts
• Collaborate with licensees in executing global business strategies for growth
• Monitor license agreement compliance, financial, product, distribution, etc.
• Negotiate renewals, terminations, amendments, and other agreements.
• Liaise with marketing, legal, finance, sourcing, and product management.
• Monitor adherence to contractual obligations, highlight risks/ shortfalls such as: Sales, Royalty, Advertising Spending, Marketing Spending, Off-Price Sales Limits, Year-end summaries. Standardize royalty report and follow-up with all licensees to ensure on time payment highlighted risks, audits, and ensure timely resolutions
• Measure ROI of partnerships regularly using a holistic approach inclusive of revenue, earned media, impressions and customer acquisition.
• Ensure adherence to brand standards: logos, labels, collateral, in- store, visual, advertising and fixturing.
• Network to seek out new business opportunities, partner with licensees to represent TUMI brand when meeting with new and key wholesale accounts to foster growth.
  
  

Licensees | Collaborators | Brand Partners:

• Key interface with licensees, collaborators, and special project partners on general management across commercial and creative topics with the goal to build brand connectivity and financial contribution. (Not on product to market activities)
• Host monthly licensee business review to review category growth including:
• Cross Marketing Support at key retailers
• Wholesale Sale Sell- through, buyer feedback, collection growth timelines.
• Plan vs. Actual Sales Analysis
• New account and channel growth trends
• Review marketing initiatives, and regional growth trends.
• Share updated TUMI toolkits and walk-through brand standards and initiatives focuses.
• Coordinate and Host Yearly Licensing Summit which should include:
• Licensee cross sharing of successes
• Ability for licensees to collaborate on co-selling initiatives for new accounts
• Review brand marketing initiatives for the year.
• Share key brand growth strategies
• Review core inline products
• Review templates, marketing spend, regional growth.
  

Requirements

• 10 years of experience in Licensing-Brand or Agency preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years experience negotiating and executing licensing contracts.
• Self-starter who can work autonomously at times with a strong sense of initiative and critical thinking.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Well versed in business planning and analytics
• Proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Workfront
  
  

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance with partial employer contributions, vision insurance, company-paid basic life insurance, Accidental Death & Disability Insurance, Supplemental Life insurance, 401(k) with a company match, and commuter benefits.
• This role may have the opportunity to earn an annual target bonus based on several factors including Company and individual performance, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s bonus plan in effect from time to time. Details regarding the plan are outlined in each employee’s plan agreement.
• Career pathing
• Work-life balance
• Training
• Paid time off
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discount
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  
  

About The Team

Why you'll love working here:

At TUMI, you’ll find a dynamic working environment, joining a community where each team member is empowered with an entrepreneurial spirit. Associates are respected as a vital part of the organization and recognized for their contributions. We believe in a workplace that gives every individual the opportunity to make an impact, and our ongoing commitment is to provide all the tools you need to succeed— guidance towards individual career growth, professional training and development initiatives, and a motivating, exciting environment— along with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits programs.

What We Value

• INNOVATIVE BY NATURE. SUSTAINABLE BY CHOICE. TUMI protects the things that matter most, the things you own and the planet you travel to see. Our planet is an astonishing place and we believe it’s our responsibility to preserve it for travelers of the future. By putting excellence and quality first, we ensure that every TUMI product has lifelong purpose, supported by our rigorous testing standards, exploration of recycled materials, and global repair network.
• PARTNERS WE BELIEVE IN. Staying true to our values by helping take care of the most vulnerable among us aligns with our mission and is a core element of what we do. We focus on three main areas: promoting wellbeing; empowering vulnerable communities; and protecting the earth’s beautiful places. Each year we extend our philanthropic efforts to partners that help better the world. From supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fight to cure childhood cancer to Waves for Water who provides clean water to communities in need, we proudly stand by the profound changes they enact.
• DIVERSITY & INCLUSION. As an organization, we are committed to a diverse and vibrant culture, welcoming people from all walks of life. Our long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion empowers each of us to bring our authentic selves and unique differences to work every day.
  
  

The actual rate of pay offered depends on various factors, including qualifications for the position and relevant experience; as well as other legitimate, non-discriminatory business factors specific to the position or location.

Tumi is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting and maintaining a work environment in which all applicants, associates, customers, and other individuals are treated with dignity and respect free from unlawful harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.