[Hiring] Senior Brand Partnerships & Licensing Manager @ahead GmbH

Role Description

Are you a senior brand partnerships and licensing professional who closes deals, owns projects end-to-end, and has the network to make things happen from day one? If so, read on.

Your Tasks

• Partner Identification & Pipeline Management:
  • Proactively source, evaluate, and pitch licensing and co-branding opportunities across entertainment IPs, cultural icons, celebrities, and lifestyle brands.
  • Run an active pipeline of 5-10 live opportunities at any given time.
  • Know which opportunities are worth pursuing for brand and commercial goals.
• Deal Negotiation & Contracting:
  • Lead negotiations end-to-end and close with confidence.
  • Handle LOIs, licensing agreements, talent contracts, commercial terms, royalties, and usage rights.
  • Represent the company in front of top-tier partners, agents, and IP holders.
• End-to-End Project Management:
  • Own the full lifecycle of every limited edition: concept, LOI, product development, packaging redesign, legal sign-off, market launch.
  • Keep cross-functional teams moving in the same direction and on time.
• Business Case & Performance Ownership:
  • Build and own the business case for every collaboration: budget, margin, revenue forecast, and post-launch review.
  • Track revenue contribution, retail sell-through, D2C performance, and brand awareness lift per edition.
• Internal Alignment & Launch Enablement:
  • Brief and align brand, social, ecom, and retail on launch strategy, content needs, and sell-in materials.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in licensing, brand partnerships, or co-branding, ideally within FMCG, consumer lifestyle, entertainment, or a licensing/talent agency.
• Experience taking 3+ limited editions or co-branded drops from concept to launch.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on mindset and a proven execution track record.
• Network of IP holders, agencies, talent managers, and entertainment companies.
• Comfortable juggling multiple complex workstreams and aligning cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing 6-7 figure budgets and building business cases from zero.
• Fluent in both German and English; native-level German required.
• Ability to make clear decisions and thrive in fast-paced environments.

Requirements

• Experience working directly with entertainment studios, IP holders, or major talent agencies.
• Background in FMCG, food & beverage, or better-for-you consumer brands.
• Existing relationships in the DACH retail landscape with sell-in experience for limited editions.
• Track record managing both D2C and retail launches simultaneously.
• Degree in Marketing, Media & Communications Management, Business Administration, or similar.

Benefits

• Working at ahead offers the opportunity to develop as a professional and as a person.
• Hypergrowth environment with creative freedom and real impact.
• Great workspace in Hamburg with top equipment and a pet-friendly policy.
• Amazing team of young, international, and ambitious colleagues.
• Career growth through cross-functional projects and structured feedback cycles.
• Great benefits including snacks, drinks, and a €50 monthly allowance for personal use.
• 28 vacation days plus two extra days off on December 24 and December 31.
• Regular after-work hangouts and annual team offsites.
• Flexible work options: office in Hamburg or Berlin, or fully remote from anywhere in Germany.