Management & LeadershipISCO 1221

Licensing manager

A licensing manager is a person who oversees a company's licences and rights covering the use of its products or its intellectual property, and who negotiates and maintains the relationship with the parties licensed to use them. The subject of the work is permission: who may use what the company owns, on what terms, and for how long.

Take the free test Check yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 78/100 (very high risk)

Check yourself in a minute: licensing manager

Rate 5 of the 22 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

apply company policies

carry out strategic research

establish usage policies

manage staff

manage licensee portofolio

About licensing manager

Drafting and negotiating come first. The licensing manager develops usage strategies that decide which rights are licensed out and which are held back, negotiates the terms with the other side, and compares the offers of contractors bidding to use or distribute the property. Intellectual property law is the ground all of this stands on.

Enforcement follows signature. The licensing manager guarantees that third parties keep to the agreements and arrangements they signed, monitoring how the licensed property is used. Deadlines matter in both directions: renewals, option periods and termination dates all run on fixed dates.

The relationship itself needs tending. The licensing manager keeps the connection between the two sides working through several communication channels, follows company policy, and applies a business code of ethics to its decisions.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (22)

intellectual property lawintellectual property lawThe regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.contract lawcontract lawThe field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.financial capabilityfinancial capabilityFinancial operations such as calculations, cost estimations, budget management taking relevant commercial and statistical data into account such as data for materials, supplies and manpower.apply company policiesapply company policiesApply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.carry out strategic researchcarry out strategic researchResearch long term possibilities for improvements and plan steps to achieve them.establish usage policiesestablish usage policiesEstablish, disseminate and update usage policies for licenses. A usage policy determines what is legally acceptable and what is not, and in which cases piracy is being committed.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.manage licensee portofoliomanage licensee portofolioHandle data and files for all licensees that use the products, trademarks or services of a company under a licensing agreement.abide by business ethical code of conductsabide by business ethical code of conductsConform and follow the ethical code of conducts promoted by companies and businesses at large. Ensure that operations and activities do comply with the code of conduct and ethical operations the suppl...apply strategic thinkingapply strategic thinkingApply generation and effective application of business insights and possible opportunities, in order to achieve competitive business advantage on a long-term basis.manage licensing feesmanage licensing feesHandle and inspect licensing fees for a service/product provided under intellectual property right.monitor compliance with licensing agreementsmonitor compliance with licensing agreementsEnsure that licensee is well aware of all terms, legal aspects and renewal aspects of the license that has been awarded.manage financial riskmanage financial riskPredict and manage financial risks, and identify procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.compare contractors' bidscompare contractors' bidsCompare proposals to award a contract in order to execute specified jobs within a prescribed frame of time.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.build business relationshipsbuild business relationshipsEstablish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the orga...handle financial transactionshandle financial transactionsAdminister currencies, financial exchange activities, deposits as well as company and voucher payments. Prepare and manage guest accounts and take payments by cash, credit card and debit card.perform market researchperform market researchGather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.negotiate rights of usenegotiate rights of useNegotiate with the customers the precise terms at which the service will be sold.

Optional (5) — show

employment lawemployment lawThe law which mediates the relationship between employees and employers. It concerns employees' rights at work which are binding by the work contract.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.build rapport with people from different cultural backgroundsbuild rapport with people from different cultural backgroundsUnderstand and create a link with people from different cultures, countries, and ideologies without judgements or preconceptions.managing a business with great caremanaging a business with great careDetailed and thorough treatment of transactions, compliance with regulations and supervision of employees, safeguarding a smooth running of daily operations.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

car leasing agent5 shared essential skills aeronautical information specialist4 shared essential skills agricultural machinery and equipment distribution manager4 shared essential skills agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feeds distribution manager4 shared essential skills airport director4 shared essential skills beverages distribution manager4 shared essential skills brand manager4 shared essential skills chemical products distribution manager4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a licensing manager do?

Licensing managers oversee licenses and rights of a company regarding use of its products or intellectual property. They ensure that third parties comply with specified agreements and contracts, and negotiate with and maintain relationships between both parties.

What skills does a licensing manager need?

A licensing manager needs 22 essential skills, including intellectual property law, contract law, financial capability, apply company policies, carry out strategic research.

Will AI replace licensing manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for licensing manager is 78/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: financial capability, manage licensee portofolio, manage licensing fees. Most resilient: build rapport with people from different cultural backgrounds, teamwork principles, build business relationships.

AI Replacement Risk

78/ 100

Very High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

financial capability manage licensee portofolio manage licensing fees

Skills resilient to automation

build rapport with people from different cultural backgrounds teamwork principles build business relationships

This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.

Check your own AI risk

View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

SectorManagement & Leadership

ISCO GroupAdministrative and commercial managers

Essential Skills22

Is licensing manager right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test