Director, Licensing, NYT Wirecutter

About the role

Wirecutter is a product review website owned by The New York Times Company that rigorously tests consumer products and then recommends the best items in a range of categories. We're a group of experts and fanatics who love what we do, and the discerning readers we attract appreciate our integrity and editorial independence. Wirecutter has built a tremendous business on an affiliate model, growing audience and revenue year over year. Wirecutter is looking for a Director of Licensing to build and scale our licensing business, grounded in the strength of our brand, accolades, and journalism. This leader will be responsible for developing Wirecutter's licensing strategy, managing relationships with partners and vendors, and building new licensing products that help partners tap into Wirecutter's authority while protecting our editorial independence and standards. They will oversee day-to-day licensing operations and work closely with colleagues across Revenue, Editorial, and Legal. As Director of Licensing, you will report to Wirecutter's Executive Director, Revenue Strategy. This hybrid position is based in the New York office.

Responsibilities

• Set the licensing strategy and roadmap
• Define the strategy and roadmap for Wirecutter's licensing business, aligned with Wirecutter's long-term growth goals and The New York Times Company's broader licensing portfolio.
• Manage licensing operations and partnerships
• Own day-to-day operations of the licensing business.
• Manage relationships with key licensing vendors, relay Wirecutter strategy so they can operate successfully on our behalf.
• Develop new licensing products and growth opportunities
• Design and launch new licensing offerings that deepen partner value and expand Wirecutter's footprint.
• Work with internal and external partners to build business cases, set pricing, and evaluate the performance of new products over time.
• Design and maintain a robust suite of resources so teams across the business have the clarity, context, and tooling they need to work confidently and consistently.
• Protect the brand and partner with Editorial
• Partner closely with Wirecutter editorial leadership and Standards & Ethics to ensure all licensing programs respect editorial independence, safeguard reader trust, and use our name, marks, and content appropriately.
• Measurement, insights, and continuous improvement
• Establish clear KPIs and reporting for the licensing business and regularly communicate performance, business risks, and opportunities for growth to stakeholders.
• Use performance data, partner feedback, and market insights to refine our licensing product set, partner mix, and go-to-market approach.
• Lead and develop the licensing function
• Build and manage a small licensing team and/or vendor relationships; set clear goals/roles, and nurture the team's professional development, learning and growth.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-accountability culture that encourages thoughtful experimentation and strong cross-functional partnership.
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in licensing, brand partnerships, business development, or related fields, ideally within media, consumer brands, technology, or other IP-driven businesses.
• Proven track record of growing a licensing or partnerships business through new products, categories, or partners.
• Experience working closely withcross-functional teams on contracts, brand guidelines, and complex partner programs.
• Ability to translate company and brand goals into clear licensing strategies, product roadmaps, and operational plans.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity, building structure where needed, and balancing long-term growth bets with near-term revenue delivery.
• Strong communicator and relationship builder, with experience influencing senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Deep curiosity about the evolving media, commerce, and licensing landscape, and how trusted brands can show up in new contexts and formats.
• A reader-first mindset: committed to protecting Wirecutter's editorial independence and reader trust while unlocking ambitious, mutually beneficial commercial opportunities.
• Commitment to building an inclusive team culture where diverse perspectives

Additional Information

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It's why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It's why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it's why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it's worth paying for.

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