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In this position...

The ambition of the Global Licensing & Merchandising Team is to strengthen Ford’s position as a lifestyle brand by delivering engaging, quality, and relevant consumer products & experiences our customers love. As our business grows, we are seeking talented, passionate individuals who wish to accelerate brand impact through these offerings. The Strategic Licensed Partnership Manager is a pivotal new role dedicated to expanding Ford's presence as a lifestyle brand through high-visibility, cross-category partnerships. Working with the Senior Global Licensing Manager and an extensive network of internal stakeholders, this position will be instrumental in bringing to life our global brand strategy, focusing on executions resonating with our "Build, Thrill, and Adventure" lifestyle audiences. This role is critical for capitalizing on the growing market opportunities for strategic collaborations, leveraging licensing to forge unique and resonant positive brand momentum and deliver on the idea that 1+1 can equal 3 when done right. By leading the charge on complex, high-profile projects, this role will creatively drive significant strategic royalty revenue growth and enhance Ford's brand equity across Apparel, Hardlines, and Interactive categories. This role will manage the intricate coordination and extensive resources required for collaborations, ensuring Ford can proactively pursue and expertly execute multiple such collaborations annually, solidifying its position at the forefront of innovative brand engagement.

You may not meet every requirement, but if you are a highly motivated, positive leader with a passion for Ford IP and it’s power to surprise and delight people through awesome brand moments, we’d love to talk to you.

What you'll do...

+ **Strategic Partnership Development:** Lead the identification, negotiation, and execution of strategic brand collaborations, serving as the primary liaison with external agencies and key licensees to forge impactful alliances that resonate with target audiences. Deliver 4-6 annually and maintain calendar for current and future years.

+ **Brand Strategy Alignment:** Collaborate closely with Ford's internal brand teams to identify key objectives, such as improving consideration and awareness with growth audiences, ensuring an authentic connection to the nameplate and brand values, owning the POV to strategically approve or decline potential opportunities based on brand fit. Land clear persisting collab strategy with Build, Thrill, and Adventure brand audiences.

+ **Cross-Functional Project Leadership:** Develop and manage comprehensive project plans for high-impact partnerships, coordinating cross-functional internal teams (Brand, Communications, Social, Design, Product Development, Legal) to ensure seamless execution from concept through launch and activation. Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Ford side.

+ **Partner Management:** Work with Agency to prospect best-in-class licensees, optimize existing partnerships, deliver strategic brand collaborations, support key brand moments, launch programs at retail, and represent Ford by attending industry events, partner meetings, and tradeshows.

+ **Outbound licensing guidance:** Oversee brand collaboration extensions linked to core vehicle workstreams when applicable.

+ **Contract Management:** Manage negotiation and contract flow of complex licensing agreements, ensuring terms are favorable and compliant with Ford's legal and business requirements.

+ **Performance Tracking & Reporting:** Monitor, analyze, and report on the performance and impact of collaborative partnerships, including revenue generation, brand impressions, and market feedback, to inform future strategy and demonstrate ROI. Will create and own clear “Post Mortem” process to accelerate learnings and ensure continuous improvement mentality to future collaborations.

+ **Complex Collaboration Management:** Manage multiple complex, high-profile collaborations concurrently each year within core brand categories of Build Thrill and Adventure, ensuring all deliverables are met on time, within budget, and to the highest brand standards.

+ **Financial Budget Management:** Identify and manage a collaboration budget to tactically amplify authentic storytelling to ensure maximum impact of partnerships.

The Strategic Licensed Partnership Manager will be responsible for fostering unique and resonant brand alliances globally across all Ford IP, combining strategic vision with meticulous project execution and a deep understanding of brand partnerships.

You'll have...

+ Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Business Administration, Communications).

+ Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in brand partnerships, strategic alliances, or licensing management within a consumer products, automotive, fashion, or entertainment context.

+ Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with significant brand and revenue impact, often requiring the ability to navigate large-scale organizations, identify key stakeholders, and gain approvals across diverse internal teams (e.g., winning over a specific brand team like Bronco to execute a collaboration that meets their unique needs).

+ Experience working with creative agencies, fashion brands, or lifestyle brands and a strong understanding of their operational nuances and market dynamics.

+ Proven ability to lead negotiations and cultivate strong relationships with high-profile external partners.

+ Strong working knowledge of brand strategy, marketing principles, and consumer engagement tactics.

+ Demonstrated history of strong project management skills and the ability to deliver against tight timelines in a fast-paced environment.

+ Global experience in brand collaborations or strategic partnerships is strongly preferred.

+ Experience working effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including creative, legal, and product teams.

+ Extensive relationships and understanding of Ford skill teams & key stakeholders preferred.

Core competencies and skills critical to the role will include:

+ **Strategic Vision & Business Acumen** - Ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunities, developing strategic partnerships that drive brand growth with positive revenue.

+ **Storytelling & Presentation** – Excellent written & verbal communications. Strong storytelling and presentation techniques, with the ability to effectively communicate complex strategies and outcomes to executive-level management and interface confidently with leaders in other brands. Adept at articulating value and building consensus across diverse stakeholders.

+ **Collaboration & Influence** - Exceptional ability to foster critical internal integration across Brand, Communications, Design, and Product Development teams, and to influence key external partners.

+ **Project Management Excellence** - Superior project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex, high-impact initiatives simultaneously from conception to activation.

+ **Adaptability** - Proactive problem-solver with a creative approach to partnership development and activation, capable of navigating unforeseen challenges and adapting strategies as needed.

+ **Brand & Market Insight** - Deep understanding of Ford and other brand’s positioning, market trends, and consumer behavior, with the ability to identify authentic storylines that resonate with target audience- clear articulation of WHY we are doing something.

+ **Relationship Building** - Proven capability in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with external partners and agencies to ensure successful, ongoing collaborations.

+ **Results Oriented Mindset** - A strong focus on delivering measurable results, including revenue targets, brand impressions, and successful activation outcomes for high-profile partnerships.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

+ Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage

+ Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more

+ Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more

+ Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases

+ Tuition assistance

+ Established and active employee resource groups

+ Paid time off for individual and team community service

+ A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day

+ Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a leadership level 6.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: New Hire Benefits (https://fordcareers.co/LL6SP1)

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

\#LI-Hybrid #LI-LP3

**Requisition ID** : 54368