Manager, Strategic Licensing Partnerships

The Strategic Licensed Partnership Manager is a pivotal new role dedicated to expanding Ford's presence as a lifestyle brand through high-visibility, cross-category partnerships.

Working with the Head of Global Licensing and an extensive network of internal stakeholders, this position will be instrumental in bringing to life Ford's global brand strategy, focusing on executions that resonate with 'Build, Thrill, and Adventure' lifestyle audiences.

In this role, you will be the primary architect and driver of Ford's most exciting, high-profile consumer product collaborations (focused on apparel, but extending into gaming, digital, lifestyle gear, and more).

Responsibilities

• Visionary Deal-Making & Salesmanship: Proactively identify, prospect, and persuasively pitch high-impact, culturally relevant brand collaborations. Lead the negotiation and contract flow of these complex licensing agreements (4–6 activations annually) to ensure favourable and compliant terms.
• Culture & Trend Spotting: Serve internal teams with excitement and expertise on trends & culture. Maintain a clear pulse on emerging lifestyle, fashion, digital, and gaming trends, translating those insights into collaboration opportunities that introduce Ford to younger generations.
• Brand Strategy Alignment: Collaborate closely with Ford's internal brand teams to identify key objectives (such as improving consideration and awareness with growth audiences). Ensure an authentic connection to nameplates and brand values, and own the point-of-view to strategically approve or decline opportunities. Land a consistent, long-term collaboration strategy with Build, Thrill, and Adventure brand audiences.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Project Leadership: Develop and manage comprehensive project plans for high-impact partnerships, coordinating cross-functional internal teams (Brand, Communications, Social, Design, Product Development, and Legal) to ensure seamless execution from concept through launch and activation. Serve as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the Ford side.
• Partner & Agency Management: Work with our agency to prospect best-in-class partners, optimize existing relationships, deliver strategic brand collaborations, support key brand moments, and launch programs at retail. Represent Ford by attending industry events, partner meetings, and tradeshows.
• Outbound Licensing Guidance: Oversee brand collaboration extensions linked to core vehicle workstreams when applicable (e.g., Carhartt Super Duty, Filson Bronco).
• Performance Tracking & Reporting: Monitor, analyse, and report on the performance and impact of collaborative partnerships (including revenue generation, brand impressions, and market feedback) to inform future strategy and demonstrate ROI. Create and own a clear 'Post-Mortem' process to accelerate team learning.
• Financial & Budget Management: Identify and manage a collaboration budget to tactically amplify authentic storytelling and ensure the maximum marketing impact of our partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Business Administration, Communications).
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in sales, brand management, or business development roles. Experience specifically within strategic partnerships, brand collaborations, or licensing management (consumer products, automotive, fashion, or entertainment) is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with significant brand and revenue impact, with the ability to navigate large-scale organisations, identify key decision-makers, and gain approvals across diverse internal teams.
• Proven ability to lead negotiations, manage contract flows, and cultivate strong relationships with high-profile external partners.
• Strong working knowledge of brand strategy, marketing principles, and consumer engagement tactics.
• A natural, demonstrated pulse on cultural trends: You know what brands are emerging, what younger generations care about, and how to spot 'the next big thing' in lifestyle spaces (fashion, gaming, digital).
• Demonstrated history of strong project management skills and the ability to deliver against tight timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including creative, legal, and product teams.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidised back-up childcare and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.