---
title: 'Assistant Manager Licensing, Business Development at Hot Topic & BoxLunch'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-manager-licensing-business-development-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-35xbe7qwjyr9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Assistant Manager Licensing, Business Development at Hot Topic & BoxLunch

- **Company:** Hot Topic & BoxLunch
- **Location:** City of Industry, CA
- **Compensation:** $70k–$85k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hottopic/c1e47619-07b3-4eb0-a945-fc92f17700ed

## Job description

Do you love Pop Culture? Are you organized, passionate, and detail-oriented? Hot Topic, Inc. is looking for a Licensing Assistant Manager to support our in-house licensed business! This role requires strong knowledge of licensing, solid project management skills, and excellent communication abilities, as it serves as the liaison between internal teams and external licensing partners. Overseeing 4-5 major partners and up to 30 smaller partners, you'll drive the fandom into our product! Cool, right?

This role operates on a hybrid schedule and will require to work from our HQ located in the City of Industry, CA three days a week.

## WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Serve as main Business Development liaison (externally and internally), including but not limited to licensor requests, resolve key issues, streamline processes, and create efficiencies.
- Drive business forward by finding incremental opportunities and manage existing partners with the goal of meeting or exceeding pre-determined revenue targets and growth objectives.
- Negotiate with external partners and work with internal partners (legal, sales, marketing) to execute agreements, programs, and audits as needed.
- Manage every aspect of licensing partner relationships, from ensuring timely product launches and negotiating contracts from start to finish, to maintaining the relationship after the agreement is finalized.
- Assist in defining and executing the business strategy while serving as the main contact for key licensors and working closely to communicate and resolve issues as they arise.
- Oversee all stages of the licensed product approval process for designated properties and ensure product is approved in a timely and efficient manner.
- Lead and provide sales forecasts as requested, proactively track compliance, and adhere to all contractual requirements.
- Supervise and delegate work of direct report
- Research and understand the competitive landscape. Understand market trends, consumer trends, retailer and industry needs.
- Pitch new companies to develop consumer products programs in connection with content, games and marketing events.
- Provide business insights including financial analysis, preparing presentations and other projects.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- May occasionally travel offsite to meetings.

## WHAT YOU'LL NEED

- Bachelor’s degree or 3 years of relevant experience with a solid understanding of licensing preferred
- Strong attention to detail with organizational and project management skills
- Creative, analytical, and strategic thinker
- Team player with strong interpersonal skills
- Proven communication skills; must be articulate and professional both in written and verbal forms
- Ability to work proactively, independently and reliably under tight timeframes in a fast-paced environment
- Regularly required to sit, stand
- Occasionally will lift/move up to 20 pounds

Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

## About Hot Topic & BoxLunch

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Hot Topic Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of pop culture and music licensed apparel, accessories, and gifts, operating under the brands Hot Topic, BoxLunch, and Her Universe.
- **Entity Type**: Private (owned by Sycamore Partners since 2013)
- **Headquarters**: City of Industry, California, USA
- **Founded**: 1989 (Hot Topic); 2015 (BoxLunch)
- **Founders**: Orv Madden (Hot Topic); BoxLunch was launched by Hot Topic Inc.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Retail – Pop Culture Merchandise, Apparel, and Gifts
- **Target customers**: B2C – Fans of music, anime, gaming, movies, TV, and pop culture; primarily Gen Z and Millennials
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To be the destination of pop culture and music merchandise while giving back to the community. BoxLunch’s specific mission: for every $10 spent, provide a meal to someone in need through Feeding America®.

## Products & Services
- **Hot Topic**: Clothing, accessories, music, jewelry, and collectibles featuring officially licensed band tees, pop culture-inspired collections, anime merch, and fashion apparel. (Brick-and-mortar and e-commerce)
- **BoxLunch**: Pop culture merch and gifts including apparel, collectibles, and accessories. Launched in 2015, with over 150 specialty shops and a thriving e-commerce site. Each purchase helps provide meals to those in need.
- **Her Universe**: A brand focused on female fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and pop culture, offering licensed apparel and accessories.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue – Hot Topic approx. $741.7M; BoxLunch approx. $74.3M (LinkedIn estimates, combined ~$816M)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Owner: Sycamore Partners (private equity); Partners: Feeding America®, Mental Health America, Notes for Notes, The Trevor Project
- **Growth Signals**: BoxLunch headcount grew 13.9% YoY to 655 employees; Hot Topic headcount grew 6.2% YoY to 2,215 employees; active job postings: 1,184 (as of Sept 2026); BoxLunch has given over 100 million meals to date; expanding distribution centers (La Vergne, TN and Riverside, CA).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Exclusive Licensing**: Deep relationships with major entertainment studios and music labels, securing exclusive product lines not available at general retailers.
- **Niche Community Focus**: Strong brand loyalty among pop culture, music, and anime fans; authentic engagement with subcultures.
- **Philanthropy as Differentiator**: BoxLunch’s meal-giving model creates emotional connection and repeat purchases.
- **Omnichannel Presence**: 600+ Hot Topic retail locations, 150+ BoxLunch stores, plus robust e-commerce and distribution network.

## Strategic Focus
- Expand BoxLunch store footprint and e-commerce penetration.
- Strengthen direct-to-consumer relationships through social media and influencer partnerships.
- Continue to invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Grow the Her Universe brand and cater to underserved female fandom.
- Optimize supply chain and distribution for faster fulfillment.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Inclusive, collaborative, and authentic environment where employees are encouraged to “be who you are and love what you do.” The company values creativity and innovation.
- **Work Policy**: Hybrid workspace – employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work. Typical time on-site is flexible.
- **Perks & Benefits**: Performance bonuses, family medical leave, job training and talent development programs. Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
- **Career Growth**: Opportunities across retail stores, distribution centers, and corporate HQ. Strong internal mobility, with many employees moving between brands (e.g., talent from GameStop, Target, Vans).
- **Community Impact**: Employees take pride in giving back through partnerships with Feeding America, Mental Health America, and other nonprofits.

## Sources
1. [lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/hottopic) – Hot Topic Inc. careers page
2. [linkedin.com/company/hot-topic](https://linkedin.com/company/hot-topic) – Hot Topic company profile
3. [linkedin.com/company/boxlunch](https://linkedin.com/company/boxlunch) – BoxLunch company profile
4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/hot-topic-inc) – Hot Topic Inc. culture, perks, and offices
5. [builtinla.com](https://www.builtinla.com/company/hot-topic-inc) – Hot Topic Inc. Los Angeles office overview

## Other roles at Hot Topic & BoxLunch

- [Fulfillment Team Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/fulfillment-team-lead-hot-topic-boxlunch-la-vergne-cka5ca8y90rk) — La Vergne, TN
- [Junior Systems Analyst, WMS](https://feeny.ai/job/junior-systems-analyst-wms-hot-topic-boxlunch-la-vergne-xks9s6aa5zqx) — La Vergne, TN
- [Purchasing Manager – Retail Operations & Indirect Procurement](https://feeny.ai/job/purchasing-manager-retail-operations-indirect-procurement-hot-topic-boxlunch-00gb4kr9v43d) — City of Industry, CA
- [Licensing Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/licensing-coordinator-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-xg8xxm3dp9f9) — City of Industry, CA
- [Financial Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/financial-analyst-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-68y9adc427cd) — City of Industry, CA
- [DC Inventory Control Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/dc-inventory-control-manager-hot-topic-boxlunch-riverside-9j6s81p64bzt) — Riverside, CA
- [Equipment Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/equipment-operator-hot-topic-boxlunch-la-vergne-5bedc0esa0dq) — La Vergne, TN
- [Distribution Center Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/distribution-center-associate-hot-topic-boxlunch-la-vergne-xd17zds01qm6) — La Vergne, TN
- [DC Inventory Control Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/dc-inventory-control-supervisor-hot-topic-boxlunch-riverside-8fcxchf964np) — Riverside, CA
- [Merchandise Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/merchandise-coordinator-hot-topic-boxlunch-boxlunch-hq-city-of-industry-ca-3595pvttq7eb) — Boxlunch Hq / City of Industry, CA