Director, Licensed Publishing at Chronicle Books – San Francisco or New York City, California

Chronicle Books is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director of Licensed Publishing to lead the commercial licensing strategy and portfolio management for key licensed publishing partnerships. This high-visibility role, located in San Francisco or New York City, serves as the central business lead for licensor relationships, negotiations, renewals, business reviews, franchise intelligence, and cross-functional coordination across Chronicle’s licensed publishing activity. The Director partners closely with publishing, marketing, sales, finance, and contracts to support brand-authentic and distinctly Chronicle licensed programs across books, stationery, gift, games, and adjacent categories. This role is ideal for a commercially savvy, partnership-focused leader who can bring structure, clarity, and strategic discipline to Chronicle’s growing licensed publishing portfolio while partnering effectively across creative and commercial teams.

Key Responsibilities:

· Own and manage licensor business relationships with high-profile entertainment, gaming, lifestyle, and media brands, serving as the lead point of contact.

· Negotiate and manage licensing contracts, including new agreements, renewals, amendments, and terms that align with Chronicle’s business and creative goals.

· Identify and evaluate new publishing opportunities in collaboration with editorial and creative teams—leveraging market insights, consumer trends, and licensor priorities.

· Partner closely with editorial to shape the licensed publishing roadmap across all age groups and formats: children’s books, adult books, stationery, games, lifestyle products, and gift.

· Partner with finance to review new and ongoing business, establish financial frameworks and benchmarks for licensed publishing company-wide.

· Inform retail strategy for key licensed brands by synthesizing licensor priorities, franchise timing, market developments, and cross-category opportunities, in close partnership with Sales and Marketing leadership and relevant external partners.

· Partner with sales and marketing teams at Chronicle to create and execute go-to-market strategies and retail campaigns that leverage licensor strategies, optimizing visibility and performance at key retail channels including independent bookstores, mass market, specialty, international markets and [C1] online.

· Collaborate across Chronicle Books, Galison, CB Toys & Games, and other relevant business areas to identify, evaluate, and coordinate cross-company licensing opportunities where there is clear strategic and commercial benefit.

· Working closely with Finance, monitor performance metrics and deliver regular business reviews and strategic updates to licensors and internal stakeholders.

· Stay attuned to the competitive landscape, industry trends, and emerging IP across publishing and consumer product sectors.

· Create and maintain brand one-sheets for internal teams

· Present go-to-market and brand partnership opportunities to internal and external stakeholders

· Collaborate with sales channel leaders to plan specific account-by-account pitches and programs

· Build relationships with other brand licensees on marketing and retail collaborations

Liaise with internal marketing and publicity point people on seasonal and product-specific plans and opportunities

Qualifications:

· 10+ years of experience in brand/licensing management, publishing, or consumer products, with at least 3–5 years managing high-level licensor partnerships.

· Proven success negotiating licensing contracts and developing licensed product strategies across a range of categories.

· Strong understanding of the publishing industry, including illustrated, children’s, and gift formats.

· Experience developing and marketing products for a wide range of audiences—children, YA, and adults.

· Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

· Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and creative environment.

· Passion for design-driven products and being an ambassador for Chronicle Books’ publishing.

· Familiarity with licensor brands such as Disney, Pixar, LEGO, Star Wars, Netflix, Nintendo, etc., a strong plus.

Schedule:

Employees at Chronicle Books follow a flexible hybrid schedule of working a minimum of 3 days per week and up to 4 days per week in our San Francisco or New York City offices, depending on project and business needs. Please note that this job description is not designed to cover all activities required of the employee.

Hiring Salary Range:

$113,000 - $135,750. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the expected salary for this position and will be determined by factors including but not limited to the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, and geographic location as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible for our profit share plan.

To apply:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. We are committed to fostering an inclusive company culture that respects and promotes diverse backgrounds and points of view. We look for candidates who will add to our culture and support the company’s vision of a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. Chronicle Books is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. If you are excited about this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, we still encourage you to apply. For jobs located in New York State, you can view the Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations Under Labor Law Section 740, by clicking here: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 . To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to our career site (link below).

About us:

Chronicle Books offers a full suite of benefits, including but not limited to: medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, a profit share plan, three weeks of paid vacation to start, two weeks of sick time per year, and company holidays, including a paid winter break between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, paid family, maternity, and paternity leave, commuter benefits, long-term disability insurance, annual tuition assistance, annual wellness stipend, and more.

· 10+ years of experience in brand/licensing management, publishing, or consumer products, with at least 3–5 years managing high-level licensor partnerships.

· Proven success negotiating licensing contracts and developing licensed product strategies across a range of categories.

· Strong understanding of the publishing industry, including illustrated, children’s, and gift formats.

· Experience developing and marketing products for a wide range of audiences—children, YA, and adults.

· Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

· Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and creative environment.

· Passion for design-driven products and being an ambassador for Chronicle Books’ publishing.

· Familiarity with licensor brands such as Disney, Pixar, LEGO, Star Wars, Netflix, Nintendo, etc., a strong plus.