Brand Operations & Product Development Manager

Role Overview

The Licensing Operations & Product Development Manager is a cross-functional role supporting Iconix’s brand portfolio by overseeing product approvals, licensing operations, compliance processes, and day-to-day execution across licensees.

This role goes beyond traditional product development, combining product and trend oversight with licensing compliance, factory and IP processes, and administrative support to ensure brands operate efficiently, compliantly, and on time.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, comfortable managing multiple brands simultaneously, and able to move seamlessly between strategic product discussions and hands-on execution.

Product Development & Brand Compliance

• Review CADs, samples, packaging, and product submissions for adherence to brand guidelines, trademarks, quality standards, and legal requirements
• Oversee product approvals across all stages of development, from initial concept through final production
• Ensure consistent branding and aesthetic execution across categories, licensees, and territories
• Maintain and manage physical product samples; procure additional samples for marketing, PR, seeding, and photoshoots as needed

Licensing Operations & Compliance

• Manage factory processes in partnership with licensees, including factory whitelist recordals, documentation and renewals, and hologram set-ups and compliance
• Oversee product renewals and proof-of-use submissions in coordination with Legal to support trademark maintenance
• Track and maintain compliance documentation related to IP, trademarks, and licensed products
• Support packaging approvals and ensure alignment with legal and brand requirements

Calendar, Process & Execution Management

• Maintain seasonal development calendars and production timelines across licensees
• Conduct regular development check-ins and milestone reviews to ensure timelines are met
• Ensure internal teams are providing timely feedback, approvals, and support
• Create seasonal development recap reports highlighting gaps, missed opportunities, and assortment optimization opportunities

Trend, Market & Assortment Support

• Oversee trend development initiatives, including managing third-party consultants
• Conduct competitive shopping and market research to identify white space and growth opportunities
• Support Brand Managers and the SVP with product-led insights tied to brand and retail strategy
• Translate trend insights into actionable recommendations for licensees and internal teams

DTC, Retail & Platform Support

• Support licensee DTC businesses as needed, including backend setup, legal coordination, and brand registry processes
• Assist with brand registrations and compliance across major 3P platforms (Amazon, , , etc.)
• Coordinate samples, product information, and documentation for retailer meetings, trade shows, and brand summits

Administrative & Clerical Support

• Maintain organized records of approvals, calendars, documentation, and product imagery
• Manage shared drives, Excel trackers, and databases for reporting and accessibility
• Serve as a central point of coordination across Brand, Legal, Design, Merchandising, and Licensees
• Support the SVP and Brand Managers with executional follow-ups and process management as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Fashion, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5–7 years of experience in product development, licensing operations, brand management, or merchandising
• Strong understanding of licensed brand environments and multi-licensee structures
• Experience managing compliance, approvals, and operational workflows
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Familiarity with AI tools such as Copilot, ChatGPT, and Gemini
• Strong Excel skills and comfort managing trackers, calendars, and product databases
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple brands and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive, solutions-oriented, and comfortable supporting senior leadership