Licensing Operations Manager

Base pay range

$85,000 - $95,000 per year

The Licensing Operations Manager is a key member of the licensing team, responsible for driving operational excellence and supporting the execution of licensed product initiatives. This role partners closely with internal cross‑functional teams and external licensed partners to ensure projects move forward efficiently, accurately, and on time.

This position is ideal for someone with strong project management instincts, operational discipline, and a working knowledge of product or merchandising workflows. The work performed in this role directly supports the success and scalability of our licensing business.

Licensing Operations & Project Management

• Managing day‑to‑day operations for licensing initiatives, including timelines, deliverables, approvals, and documentation.
• Owning project tracking across two existing licensed partners, ensuring milestones, calendars, and deliverables are met.
• Serving as the central point of coordination for licensing activities, partner communications, and internal approvals.
• Maintaining licensing calendars, trackers, and dashboards to provide visibility and accountability across projects.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partnering closely with Legal, Product, Merchandising, Compliance, Marketing, DTC, and Business Development teams to ensure seamless execution of licensing workflows.
• Acting as a liaison between licensors, licensees, and third‑party partners to support alignment and issue resolution.
• Supporting DTC teams with licensed third‑party product coordination, timelines, and launch readiness.

Data, Systems & Process Optimization

• Maintaining accurate data within licensing databases and systems; ensuring data integrity and version control.
• Generating regular reports and analytics related to license status, compliance, KPIs, and partner performance.
• Assisting in audits, reviews, and compliance checks as needed.
• Identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, improving operational efficiency, and reducing risk.
• Supporting the creation and maintenance of SOPs, checklists, templates, and best practices for licensing operations.
• Supporting vendor and third‑party relationships related to licensing, including regulatory consultants, application portals, and agencies.
• Ensuring consistent application of internal policies and regulatory requirements across all licensing projects.

Additional Responsibilities

• Supporting special projects and process improvement initiatives within the licensing department.
  
  Providing general operational and administrative support as the licensing business continues to grow.

• 3+ years of experience in operations, project coordination, or licensing; experience in product‑driven or consumer goods environments preferred.
• Background or working knowledge of product development, merchandising, or retail workflows strongly preferred.
• Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working cross‑functionally and managing external partners.
• Experience working with regulatory bodies or government agencies is a plus.
• Self‑starter with a proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset.
• Merchandising experience or a strong understanding of product assortment planning, line architecture, and retail or DTC merchandising workflows is a plus.

Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high‑quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors, and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 – 95,000 per year.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options; expanded wellness and mental health benefits; paid time off, paid holidays, and paid volunteer days; 401(k) with company match; and team‑member discount on Ariat merchandise.

Ariat will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with…