Syndication and Licensing Director

About the role

Since 1843, The Economist Group has championed independence, excellence and openness, helping people understand and tackle the critical challenges shaping the world. Today, we are building on that legacy as a global media and information-services company powered by digital innovation, analytical rigour and evidence-based insight. Across our three businesses - The Economist, Economist Enterprise and Economist Education - we deliver trusted analysis and insights to individuals and organisations in more than 170 countries. United by a shared purpose to drive progress, we empower decision-makers to make sense of change and chart a course through an increasingly complex world. As a colleague, you will be part of a culture that values ideas, encourages ownership and holds itself to high standards. We invest in people who are curious, thoughtful and adaptable, whether they are launching new products, reporting on global events or harnessing emerging technologies such as AI to improve how we work. Here, fresh thinking is taken seriously, ambition is matched by integrity, and great work is recognised. Working across disciplines, geographies and perspectives, we are united by a commitment to innovation, excellence and creating meaningful impact. Job title: Syndication & Licensing Director (The Economist) Location / contract: London, UK (full-time) Reporting line: Reports to EVP Strategic Partnerships Team / scope: Leads and develops a team of 3 (sales and account management) with accountability for revenue growth, renewals, margin, and risk. Role summary The Syndication & Licensing Director leads The Economist 's global syndication and licensing business - growing revenue through strategic partnerships that distribute or embed Economist journalism and data across third-party platforms and products. The role combines commercial leadership, deal-making, partner management, and cross-functional coordination with editorial, legal, product, finance, and marketing to ensure partnerships enhance reach while protecting brand, rights, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Commercial leadership & revenue delivery
• Own and deliver the commercial plan for syndication and licensing, including £xm revenue accountability and agreed growth targets
• Build a high-quality pipeline and prioritise opportunities
• Lead complex negotiations (pricing, scope, term, territory, rights, and usage), balancing near-term revenue with long-term strategic value
• Forecast accurately; manage renewals and upsell/cross-sell opportunities to maximise retention and lifetime value
• Partner strategy & business development
• Define partner strategy: where The Economist should license content/IP, under what models, and with what guardrails
• Develop and maintain senior relationships with decision-makers at major partners; act as commercial escalation point
• Identify new growth opportunities, develop business cases
• Rights, licensing, and governance
• Set and maintain licensing frameworks: standard terms, rate cards/pricing logic, permitted uses (including AI), compliance requirements, and approval workflows
• Ensure agreements protect IP, brand integrity, editorial standards, and legal obligations (e.g. copyright)
• Monitor partner compliance
• Operational excellence
• Own the operating rhythm for the syndication/licensing business: KPIs, dashboards, pipeline reviews, renewal calendars, and monthly business reviews ● Improve systems and processes that reduce friction
• People & cross-functional leadership
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3: clear goals, role clarity, performance management, and career development
• Build a high-performance culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and excellence
• Work closely with Editorial, Product/Technology, Marketing, Legal, Finance teams
• Represent The Economist externally as a senior commercial leader in content licensing and partnerships
• Candidate profile

Requirements

• Significant commercial experience in syndication, content licensing, media partnerships, IP licensing, or adjacent B2B2C subscription/data/content businesses
• Proven track record owning and growing a multi-million-pound revenue line, including renewals and complex negotiations
• Experience leading teams (people management plus setting direction and operating cadence)
• Strong understanding of rights frameworks (territory, term, formats, exclusivity, usage, derivatives/adaptations)
• Skills & capabilities
• Expert negotiator with strong commercial judgement and strategic thinker
• Operationally strong: forecasting, KPI design, CRM/pipeline discipline, and process improvement
• Confident senior stakeholder manager- able to influence exec-level stakeholders with clarity and diplomacy
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to turn complexity into crisp decision points
• Personal attributes
• High integrity and strong alignment with The Economist 's editorial standards and brand values
• Highly reliable and consistent: delivers on commitme

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