SVP, Licensed Products & Smithsonian Books

Application Deadline: 23 October 2026

Department: Smithsonian Enterprises

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Acting President, Smithsonian Enterprises

Compensation: $220,000 - $240,000 / year

Description

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and accountability for all aspects of the Licensed Products and Books divisions including building and executing long‑term strategic plans as well as managing P&L and annual operating budgets.
• Act as a key relationship manager between SE and Smithsonian museums, legal units, Office of Public Affairs and other SI leadership.
• Facilitates deal execution.
• May serve as an advisor to the President on additional programmatic initiatives.

• Serve as the primary liaison to agency and collaborate with the agency to identify high‑value licensing partners that develop Smithsonian‑branded products and services that support museum priorities while maximizing revenue.
• Establish performance metrics and track licensing program revenue, brand reach, and partner compliance.
• Provide executive-level reporting on program status, opportunities, and risks.

• In partnership with the Director, Smithsonian Books, responsible for managing the operational relationship between Smithsonian Books and the Smithsonian Institution with focus on facilitating development of SI-authored or edited titles through the program. Responsible for performance of SI backlist of 300+ titles. 
• Develop and build a short-term and a long-term licensing sales strategy for licensed publishing across the Smithsonian museums, ensuring revenue goals and mission objectives of the Institution. Responsible for products including but not limited to:  trade books, eBooks, children’s non-fiction books, textbooks, supplementary educational materials, higher education instructional materials, courseware, online publications, board books, family reference books, study guides, workbooks, K-12 curriculum, online courses, and digital educational games targeted to life-long learners and to educators in formal learning environments.

• Manage and monetize the Smithsonian brand and content assets across a full range of consumer product categories. 
• Ensure all brand extensions reflect Smithsonian values and maintain the highest standards of cultural and scholarly integrity.
• Guide development of brand materials, product guidelines, and storytelling frameworks for licensed products.

• Work with agency and/or vendors to negotiate licensing agreements and favorable terms while adhering to Smithsonian policies and procedures for revenue‑generating contracts.
• Work in close partnership with agent and vendors to evaluate terms of proposals, product categories, and brand usage to ensure maximum value and strategic alignment.
• Oversee due diligence and compliance processes to ensure that partners meet Smithsonian standards.
• Oversee the contracting process in collaboration with the Director of Internal Operations, Office of General Counsel and Office of Contracting to ensure timely review and approval.
• Drive deal flow with agent and vendors and navigate internal obstacles to quickly close deals. 

• Oversee tracking of revenues and contribute to the annual museum distribution process.
• Ensure efficient business operations and implement systems that support growth and operational excellence.
• Support the preparation of summaries, presentations, and business analyses for senior leadership, partner executives, Legal, Finance, and other key stakeholders. 
• Troubleshoot operational challenges as needed.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with cultural institutions, mission-driven organizations, or heritage brands.
• Proven ability to develop long‑range strategic plans, assess internal and external business drivers, and set organizational direction.
• Demonstrated experience with contract negotiation and rights management for images, objects, and related content.
• Advanced computer skills and the ability to independently create memoranda, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Strong ability to navigate and succeed within complex organizational structures.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, written, and public‑speaking skills.
• Entrepreneurial yet disciplined management style and a reputation for professional integrity.
• Strong leadership skills, including team building, change management, and creating a positive employee experience.
• Proven ability to inspire teams and drive results aligned with organizational goals.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time.