Licensing Executive

About ZURU

ZURU is on a mission to disrupt industries, challenge the status quo, and catalyze change through radical innovation and advances in automation. This is in play in different pillars of the company: ZURU Toys are re-imagining what it means to play; ZURU Tech is shaping a better future by leading the next building revolution; and ZURU Edge is pioneering new-generation FMCG brands to better serve modern consumers.

Founded in 2003 by EY Entrepreneur of the Year and World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame brothers Nick and Mat Mowbray, ZURU has quickly grown to a team of over 5,000 direct and indirect members across more than 30 international locations.

One of the largest toy companies in the world, our globally recognized and award-winning brands include Bunch O Balloons, Mini Brands, XSHOT, Rainbocorns, and Smashers. Our global FMCG brands include MONDAY Haircare, Rascals, NOOD, BONKERS, and Gumi Yum Surprise.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Licensing Executive provides dedicated support across ZURU's Key Account portfolio, working globally to ensure our largest and most complex licensor relationships get the day-to-day account management they need, while also owning emerging and future-facing licensing categories as they develop. This is a new role created to give our Key Accounts genuinely global coverage across every region, and to give the licensing team a dedicated home for new category opportunities as they're identified.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

You'll work closely with the Licensing Director and the wider team to keep major studio and IP relationships running smoothly worldwide, while also having the room to build out emerging categories from the ground up. This is a genuinely hands-on role — spanning brand evaluation, negotiation support, commercial analysis, and day-to-day account coordination.

CORE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Account Global Support

• Provide day-to-day account management support across our Key Account portfolio, with genuinely global coverage across every region.

• Coordinate with regional licensor contacts to keep relationships and deliverables on track across time zones.

• Support the Licensing Director and wider team on Key Account priorities as needed.

Emerging Categories

• Identify and evaluate emerging licensing categories and IP opportunities that could elevate ZURU's brands.

• Build the business case for new category or partner opportunities, including audience alignment, collectibility, and retail relevance.

• Own early-stage relationship building for categories as they develop, with a path to fuller ownership as they mature.

Partner Outreach & Pipeline Support

• Support pipeline development and outreach for prospective Key Account and emerging category partners, including outreach, pitch meetings, and presentations.

• Help prepare pitch materials and brand evaluation summaries for internal and external stakeholders.

• Track licensing agreements through to signature and follow up on action items from licensor meetings.

Contract, Negotiation & Commercial Support

• Support deal structuring and negotiation on royalty rates, minimum guarantees, contract terms, and marketing spend commitments.

• Build basic financial models to sanity-check deal economics — royalty rates, minimum guarantees, and margin impact — ahead of review with the Licensing Director.

• Assist with royalty invoicing and reporting accuracy.

• Help align internal stakeholders (Finance, Product, Marketing, Legal) with licensor asks to reach workable agreements.

Product Development & Creative Approvals

• Partner with Product Development on licensed product concepts and manage the creative approval process with licensors.

Reporting & Forecasting

• Support royalty reporting, forecasting, and pipeline tracking across the Key Account and emerging categories portfolios.

• Provide regular updates to the Licensing Director on account status and category development.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• 1-2 years' minimum experience in a brand, marketing, commercial, or licensing-related role — a licensing background is welcomed but not required.

• Emerging commercial acumen — comfortable working with numbers, understanding basic deal economics, and translating them into a clear recommendation.

• Strong analytical and presentation skills — comfortable evaluating brand/IP fit and building a business case.

• Detail-oriented, with strong organisational skills and the ability to track multiple agreements and approvals concurrently.

• Some exposure to contract terms and deal structures (royalty rates, minimum guarantees, marketing spend), or a strong appetite to learn quickly.

• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with comfort working across time zones and cultures.

• A genuine interest in entertainment, IP, and consumer brands.

Based in Auckland, New Zealand.

LIFE@ZURU

ZURU is on a quest to reimagine tomorrow. Founded in 2003, ZURU Group has rapidly grown and now spans three core divisions—ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge (consumer goods) and ZURU Tech (construction).

At ZURU, we have cultivated a high-performing culture that encourages excellence. Our team works towards ambitious goals, learning, performing, and improving together, all while having fun. We empower talented individuals to do their best work every day.

At ZURU, you get out what you put in. You are responsible for driving your own career and we provide the platform to achieve it. As ZURU is on such a fast growth trajectory, there are opportunities here that you won’t find anywhere else.

Get to know us a little better by checking out @lifeatzuru on Instagram or www.zuru.com.

ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow