Director, Licensing, NYT Wirecutter

About the role

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. 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.

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.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications:
• 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 with cross-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.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• 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 are actively welcomed and shape strategy and execution.