Manager, Talent Licensing

Who We Are:                      

2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.

Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of 2K’s portfolio currently includes several AAA, sports and entertainment brands, including global powerhouse NBA®️ 2K,  renowned BioShock®️, Borderlands®️, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization®️ and XCOM®️ brands; popular WWE®️ 2K and WWE®️ SuperCard franchises, TopSpin 2K25, as well as the critically and commercially acclaimed PGA TOUR®️ 2K

At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role.  If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

The Manager, Talent Licensing is responsible for collaborating with 2K’s Publishing and Development teams to effectively strategize and execute on the company’s inbound and outbound licensing efforts. These broad responsibilities are integral in the company’s revenue and growth targets and include strategic alignment with the Entertainment properties and Sports Leagues we work with as well as other major entertainment licensees and licensors.

• Works across multiple 2K Publishing teams and 2K Development studios to effectively manage portions of the company’s licensing initiatives and rights management within specific focus areas.
• Manages inbound and outbound licensing efforts for the company including sports & entertainment Licensing.
• Negotiates deal terms with talent, brand partners and properties across multiple titles within specified program budgets while driving alignment across marketing, commercial, development, legal, finance and executive teams to execute contracts.
• Provide operational support for 2K’s planned college-basketball-related activations
• Provide contracting support for 2K legal alongside agency partners in order to finalize all necessary agreements within college basketball space.
• Provide athlete scheduling and content capture planning support.
• Work with athlete support agencies, or processes to support game launches and on-going game development including athlete payments, reporting, compliance and other processes.
• Secures rights for various IP to be used in conjunction with in-game development, post-release content and/or marketing initiatives while strengthening 2K IP.
• Experience working with external Marketing/ Production/ PR agencies.
• Must be extremely organized with data and documentation storage as well as managing trackers for organization-wide visibility.
• Develop sales toolkits including pitch presentations and case studies and being able to synthesize data to tell a compelling story.
• Collaborate with 2K legal counsel to review NDA’s, develop and negotiate contracts.
• Work closely with 2K Finance to ensure invoices are being properly tracked and processed.

• 5+ years experience in entertainment licensing or partnership management.
• Experience negotiating entertainment & sports licensing deals, celebrity/athlete contracts, collegiate rights deals and other inbound/outbound licensing initiatives with strong focus on partnership management.
• Experience working with brand partners, talent agencies, and celebrities.
• Strong knowledge of or previous experience working within the video game industry.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proactive ability to maintain relationships and influence/build others.
• Ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels and from various backgrounds.
• Excellent organization, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Creative problem solving with strong understanding of partner needs and development timelines and limitations.
• Ability to anticipate necessary next actions and accept responsibility for moving projects toward completion.
• Work with minimal supervision and set objectives.
• Frequent communication with partners to continually find ways to organically integrate 2K IP in their marketing initiatives and keep 2K IP top of mind for these external partners.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,200 and $148,320 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.

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Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.