Partnerships & Licensing Director

About the Team

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Role Summary

The Director, Partnerships & Licensing – China (Multisport) will lead the strategy and execution of Fanatics Collectibles’ licensing and partnership initiatives across multiple sports and entertainment categories in the China market. This role is responsible for developing, managing, and scaling relationships with leagues, federations, clubs, and other IP holders, ensuring localized, culturally relevant execution while remaining aligned with Fanatics’ global licensing strategy.

Reporting into a senior regional or global licensing leader, this role serves as the primary owner for China-based partnerships and China-specific activations of global rights, acting as a key connector between global IP, local partners, and internal Fanatics teams.

Key Responsibilities

China Multisport Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Own and execute the China-market licensing and partnerships strategy across multiple sports (e.g., football, basketball, baseball, and emerging categories), aligned with global growth priorities.
• Evaluate and prioritize IP opportunities based on fan demand, cultural relevance, commercial potential, and regulatory considerations in China.
• Provide ongoing market insight to global leadership on sports fandom trends, athlete influence, and category growth opportunities.

Partner Relationship Leadership

• Serve as the senior day-to-day relationship owner for China-based licensors and global partners with China-specific rights and activations.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with leagues, federations, clubs, athletes, agencies, and governing bodies.
• Establish clear operating rhythms, governance models, and escalation paths to drive alignment and execution excellence.

Licensing Governance & Approvals

• Lead all licensing approvals across product, packaging, marketing, and content for the China market and across sports categories.
• Ensure rights, restrictions, and usage guidelines are clearly understood and consistently applied across teams.
• Embed efficient approval processes with defined SLAs, timelines, and accountability structures.

Program Activation & Localization

• Localize and activate global collectibles programs and launches for the China market across multiple sports.
• Develop China-specific activation plans, partner toolkits, and playbooks that resonate with local collectors and fans.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Content teams to deliver culturally relevant storytelling and athlete- or league-led narratives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Product, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Legal, and Fanatics Commerce teams to ensure end-to-end execution.
• Translate global strategy into clear, executable plans for China-based teams and partners.
• Proactively identify risks, opportunities, and process improvements across the multisport portfolio.

Performance Management & Business Reviews

• Define and track KPIs across commercial performance, brand impact, partner satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
• Lead regular business reviews with partners and internal stakeholders, using data and insights to guide decisions.
• Inform future category investment, expansion, and IP prioritization decisions.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing local team responsible for partnerships, licensing operations, and approvals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Act as a mentor and capability builder within the China organization.

Skills & Experience

• 8–12+ years of experience in sports, entertainment, consumer products, or licensing, with multisport exposure and strong China market experience
• Deep understanding of China’s sports and entertainment ecosystem, including fan behavior, media dynamics, and regulatory considerations
• Proven experience managing licensing partnerships and complex approval workflows across multiple IP categories
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with both local partners and global rights holders
• Strategic thinker with strong executional rigor and attention to detail
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
• Experience building and leading teams in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments
• Passion for sports, collectibles, and fan culture across multiple categories
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. 

Subject to applicable laws, Fanatics Collectibles may choose to run a background check.

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud.  Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com).  For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.  Fanatics Collectibles is a new model and vision for the hobby, fundamentally changing the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many U.S. and international professional and college sports. The organization has long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports and entertainment properties, including MLB, MLBPA, the Premier League, MLS, UFC, Formula 1 as well as Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, among others. In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, establishing the preeminent licensed trading card brand as the cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business, and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards