WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.
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Position Summary
The Manager, Licensing & Partnerships is responsible for the day-to-day management of licensee relationships and the development of new business opportunities across the NBA and WNBA consumer products portfolio in Canada. The role also provides account management support across the Global Partnerships team, overseeing marketing partner relationships and ensuring the successful execution of partnership rights, activations, and business objectives.
Success in this role requires a strategic and market-driven mindset, strong relationship management skills, and the ability to identify innovative growth opportunities while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams across licensing, partnerships, marketing, legal, finance, and events.
Major Responsibilities
Licensee Management & Business Development
· Serve as the primary point of contact for Canadian NBA and WNBA licensees, managing day-to-day business relationships and performance.
· Identify, negotiate, and execute opportunities to grow existing licensing programs while sourcing and onboarding new licensees across strategic categories.
· Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and commercial discussions, including royalty structures and financial terms.
· Provide ongoing business guidance to licensees through regular business reviews, product planning sessions, and innovation discussions.
· Identify and evaluate new licensing revenue streams, emerging product categories, and experiential opportunities that drive incremental growth.
· Monitor royalty reporting, compliance requirements, and contractual obligations to ensure accurate and timely submissions.
· Manage product procurement and fulfillment for league events, including NBA Canada Games, NBA House, and other key properties.
· Lead licensee onboarding, including account setup, training, and integration into NBA systems and processes.
Marketing Partner Account Management
· Lead day-to-day account management responsibilities for multiple marketing partners across a variety of brands.
· Review and approve partner advertising, media, events, and activation plans involving NBA and WNBA intellectual property and assets.
· Track contractual rights, deliverables, budgets, and related expenses to ensure successful partnership execution.
· Keep the AVP, Global Marketing Partnerships, Canada informed of account performance, issues, and opportunities, escalating matters as required.
· Manage approvals through the NBA business approval portal and ensure all submissions meet league standards and timelines.
· Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders across marketing, partnerships, legal, finance, brand, and events to ensure seamless execution and compliance.
Product Development & Brand Stewardship
· Partner with licensees to develop NBA and WNBA product assortments from concept through retail launch.
· Review and approve product concepts, artwork, submissions, and samples to ensure quality standards and contractual compliance.
· Oversee artwork and identity assurance processes across licensed products and marketing materials.
· Collaborate with local team partners, including the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Tempo, on team-specific product approvals and brand alignment.
Financial Management & Reporting
· Lead annual budgeting and reforecasting activities for the Canadian licensing business.
· Maintain financial projections, revenue forecasts, and performance reporting against budget targets.
· Monitor royalty reporting through Flowhaven, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely compliance.
· Analyze business performance to identify risks, opportunities, and growth initiatives.
· Develop reporting materials and business updates for leadership review.
Required Skills/Knowledge
· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), with the ability to build clear analyses and executive-ready materials.
· Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects across diverse, cross-functional teams, balancing multiple priorities and timelines.
· Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.
· Confident presentation skills, with experience delivering materials to senior leadership and partners.
· Self-starter with a high degree of ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
· Strong analytical capabilities, with experience in financial planning, forecasting, and performance tracking.
· Detail-oriented with strong planning and organizational skills, able to manage multiple workstreams with accuracy.
· Forward-looking, strategic thinker with a focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and identifying new business opportunities.
· Knowledge of the Canadian retail landscape and consumer trends is preferred.
Educational Background Required
· Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of work experience
· Experience working in a media or entertainment company in business development, licensing, marketing, or retail; experience in sports in a plus.
Salary Range:
Job Posting Title:
Senior Manager
The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.
The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2026-27 season featured 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries across six continents. The NBA's digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. The NBA's Tap to Watch provides seamless access to local, national and global live game telecasts via the NBA App, NBA.com, third-party digital platforms and NBA partner platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA's global social impact platform, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.
