The Team

The Marketing department’s strategic objective is to provide marketing, digital and social media support to our Talent Management, Live, TV Production and Distribution divisions. Focusing on campaign planning and management, content creation, reporting and analysis, data management, merchandise and licencing, the aim is to maximise income and outreach for our talent and brands. The vast combined knowledge of our 18-member team contributes to the success of our division and is continuously looking at new and creative ways to enhance our talent and brands' exposure.

The Role

Taskmaster is the breakout global hit comedy entertainment format, smashing ratings records, winning awards and entertaining millions of viewers around the world. Airing primetime on Channel 4 in the UK and major territories globally, with multiple spin-off series, specials, and re-commissions. Taskmaster is one of the UK’s most successful unscripted comedy entertainment series ever, with 20 series already aired primetime on Channel 4.

Taskmaster continues to expand its reach outside of traditional broadcast/streaming, having developed a series of consumer merchandise products over the last 6 years, with multiple licensed and D2C products in the market.

We’re looking for a creative, commercially minded Licensing & Merchandise Manager to join the Taskmaster team and build on the recent success of our licensed hardline products and lead the next phase of brand growth — from innovative product development and retail partnerships to international licensing opportunities.

The Licensing & Merchandise Manager will be responsible for developing and executing the Taskmaster consumer products strategy, ensuring that all merchandise, marketing and press materials reflect the show’s distinctive tone and appeal. You’ll help manage existing partners, seek out new opportunities, and work closely with internal teams and licensees to deliver best-in-class products that appeal to fans and drive revenue.

Specific Duties

• Develop and implement the global hardline licensing strategy for Taskmaster across key categories including apparel, toys & games, publishing, homeware, stationery (children), food & beverages, collectibles, and digital/gaming.
• Identify, collaborate and negotiate with new licensing partners, ensuring commercial and creative alignment.
• Target gross revenue of £1million through licensing deals per annum.
• Building on our current range of hero products (below), identify new mass market product licensing opportunities, working with licensees to secure orders from major retailers and department stores (i.e. John Lewis, Amazon, Smyths in the UK).
• Focus on growth in North America as a key objective, targeting new licensing deals, and setting up a bespoke D2C Taskmaster web store to reduce production costs and shipping costs for customers currently ordering from the UK web store.
• Help manage licensee relationships across existing hero products including: board & card games; books; Christmas products; digital gaming.
• Leverage brand partnerships where feasible to enhance visibility and engagement.
• Oversee licensing agreements, renewals, and compliance, in partnership with inhouse legal and finance teams.
• Manage the end-to-end product approval process with partners and key internal stakeholders, ensuring all items meet brand, tone, and quality standards.
• Work with internal and external designers, creatives, and key Taskmaster production teams to generate product concepts, artwork, and packaging.
• Ensure consistent and effective use of Taskmaster IP and brand assets across all products and campaigns, adhering to our brand guidelines.
• Help to update, refresh and optimise Taskmaster’s official merchandise web store and work with external partners on fulfilment, logistics, and product range development.
• Continue to develop and produce non-licensed D2C products alongside our official merchandise partner to be sold via the official Taskmaster web store.
• Monitor sales performance, inventory levels, and fan feedback to inform product strategy.
• Work with the Head of Marketing to set and manage advertising budgets, revenue forecasts, and performance metrics for the licensing and merchandise portfolio.
• Collaborate with marketing, PR, and social teams to plan launches, fan events, and seasonal campaigns, making full use of Taskmaster’s sizable mailing list and social following.
• Support international Taskmaster programmes and partners by advising on local licensing initiatives and adaptations, and/or by rolling out bespoke managed merchandise and licensing programmes where Avalon has rights, maintaining global brand consistency.
• Attend key trade shows alongside licensee partners ensuring the Taskmaster brand is well represented.
• Potential to oversee the setup and build of a bespoke Taskmaster merchandise stand at key licensing trade shows and exhibitions, ensuring the stand is staffed with salespeople and key stakeholders.
• Provide regular commercial and performance updates, reporting to senior management.