Brand Marketing Manager
- Apparel & Licensing Indian Motorcycle, LLC
- 3.6 Golden Valley, MN Job Details $90,000
- $130,000 a year 1 hour ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Gym membership Volunteer time off Life insurance Qualifications Sales revenue Forecasting Bachelor's degree Networking through strategic partnership building Strategic partnerships Full Job Description At Indian Motorcycle, we are committed to protecting and evolving one of the most iconic brands in American history.
The Apparel & Licensing Manager plays a critical role in ensuring our licensed and branded merchandise business reflects the strength, authenticity, and commercial potential of the Indian Motorcycle brand. This role serves as the central hub between the brand, external licensing agencies, dedicated apparel partners, dealer network, DTC team, and internal cross-functional stakeholders. Operating within a highly collaborative and externally managed model, this individual will act as the ultimate brand steward—guiding partner performance, driving commercial growth, ensuring operational alignment, and protecting the integrity of the brand across all licensed categories and channels. This is not a hands-on design or sourcing role. Instead, the position is focused on partner governance, revenue growth, operational oversight, and cross-functional leadership within a complex licensing ecosystem. The ideal candidate brings deep apparel licensing or brand management experience, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to influence external partners while balancing creative, operational, and financial priorities. Key Responsibilities Licensing & Partner Management Serve as the primary liaison between Indian Motorcycle and external licensing agencies, apparel partners, and key channel stakeholders. Review and evaluate new licensing opportunities, categories, and partner proposals to ensure alignment with brand strategy and commercial objectives. Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with licensing agencies and apparel partners to evaluate sales performance, royalty performance, revenue growth, margin expectations, and contractual minimum guarantees. Build strong working relationships across external partners while holding teams accountable to timelines, deliverables, and brand expectations. Partner closely with dealer, DTC, and sales teams to improve network engagement, product visibility, and overall licensed merchandise performance. Brand Stewardship & Product Approval Manage and oversee the end-to-end product approval process—from concept submissions and artwork reviews through pre-production samples and final approvals. Ensure all licensed products align with Indian Motorcycle brand standards, style guidelines, trademark requirements, and overall brand positioning. Provide direction, feedback, and escalation support to external partners to maintain consistency and protect brand integrity across categories and channels. Monitor seasonal product assortments and partner output to ensure alignment with strategic brand direction and marketplace expectations. Commercial & Financial Oversight Partner with Finance to review royalty statements, sales reporting, forecasting, and revenue performance across licensing partners. Support evaluation of category growth opportunities, channel expansion, and overall licensing business performance. Work with Legal and external agencies to ensure contracts accurately reflect territory rights, category restrictions, distribution channels, and usage agreements. Help identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, partner performance, and long-term revenue growth within the licensing business. Operational Excellence Coordinate cross-functional communication between licensing partners, marketing, legal, finance, sales, DTC, and dealer stakeholders. Maintain structured approval timelines, reporting processes, and workflow management across multiple external partners and product categories. Ensure compliance with labor standards, product safety testing requirements, authorized manufacturer agreements, and internal operational processes. Operate as the "air traffic control" function for licensed apparel and merchandise initiatives, ensuring alignment across stakeholders and timely execution. Qualifications Required Experience 5+ years of experience in apparel licensing, brand management, licensing operations, or related consumer products categories. Bachelors degree in Marketing or other related field of study Experience working within a licensor, brand-owner, or externally managed licensing environment. Proven experience managing external agencies, licensees, or strategic partners through influence rather than direct authority. Strong understanding of licensing business models, including royalties, minimum guarantees, forecasting, and partner performance management. Experience navigating multiple channels including DTC, wholesale, dealer, specialty retail, or consumer products distribution. Preferred Background Experience within premium consumer brands, lifestyle brands, powersports, fashion, or branded merchandise environments. Familiarity with product approval workflows, trademark usage, style guide governance, and creative review processes. Exposure to PLM systems, licensor portals, and structured product development or approval environments. Skills & Leadership Profile Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills across internal and external teams. Excellent communication, organizational, and project management capabilities. Commercially minded with the ability to balance brand integrity and revenue growth objectives. Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-paced, and highly cross-functional environments. Confident representing the brand externally and influencing partners diplomatically while maintaining accountability. Highly self-directed with the ability to manage priorities and drive execution with limited oversight.
Compensation & Benefits:
The starting pay range for Minnesota is $90,000 to $130,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography. While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range. At Indian Motorcycle Company, we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial well-being. IMC is proud to offer competitive compensation, including an Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education, and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, IMC provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance, and disability offerings. Through Volunteer Time Off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and well-being of the communities of their choosing.
