📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Content Licensing Manager — AVOD & FAST
🔹 Company: Rakuten TV
🔹 Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time (Hybrid)
🔹 Category: Entertainment
🔹 Date Posted: July 21, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving content strategy for AVOD and FAST platforms
- Negotiating and closing deals with major studios, distributors, and content providers
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key partners and accounts
- Collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure accurate and efficient deal implementation
- Overseeing complex content agreements and rights exploitation
- Working with external FAST platform partners to maximize channel performance
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. It is ideal for candidates with proven experience in content licensing, acquisition, or distribution within AVOD and/or FAST environments.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Drive Content Strategy: Lead and execute the content acquisition strategy for AVOD and FAST, ensuring a diverse and compelling slate that meets audience and business objectives.
✅ Negotiate & Close Deals: Manage the full licensing lifecycle from deal structuring and negotiation to contract execution with major studios, distributors, and content providers.
✅ Account Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners and accounts, proactively identifying new opportunities and ensuring smooth collaboration.
✅ Cross-Functional Collaboration: Align with internal stakeholders including Legal, Finance, BI, Programming, and Operations to ensure deals are implemented accurately and efficiently.
✅ Rights Management: Oversee complex content agreements, including title configurations, release windows, territories, languages, and rights exploitation.
✅ Third-Party Partnerships: Work with external FAST platform partners to maximize channel performance and explore new content and distribution initiatives that grow audience reach and engagement.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high level of autonomy and requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in content licensing, acquisition, or distribution, ideally within AVOD and/or FAST environments
Required Skills:
- Strong negotiation and deal management skills
- Excellent account management and relationship-building abilities
- Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail
- Strong analytical mindset and business acumen
- Fluency in English; Spanish, French, German, or other European languages are a strong plus
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative mindset and ability to work cross-functionally
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with FAST platforms
- Knowledge of the European media landscape
- Familiarity with content licensing agreements and rights management
ASSUMPTION: While a Master's degree is not required, it may be beneficial for candidates seeking to advance their careers in this field.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €50,000 - €70,000 per year (Based on experience and industry standards for the role and location)
Benefits:
- Flexible work: hybrid model, flexible hours, and Friday afternoon off
- Interesting training resources and free language classes
- Great work atmosphere, team activities, and offsites
- Wellbeing-focused offices near Barcelona beach with free coffee, juice, and lunch allowance
- Flexible remuneration: medical insurance or extra funds for meals/commuting/childcare
- Access to wellbeing and mental health platforms, and urban sports
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and company discretion.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Entertainment, specifically media streaming and video-on-demand services
Company Size: 201-500 employees (Medium-sized company, offering opportunities for growth and collaboration)
Founded: 2010 (15 years in business, with a well-established presence in the European market)
Company Description:
- Rakuten TV is one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe, combining TVOD (Transactional video-on-demand), AVOD (Advertising video-on-demand), and FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV)
- Available in 43 European territories and part of Rakuten Group, Inc., a world-leading internet services company
- Offers a wide variety of services for consumers and businesses, with a focus on e-commerce, fintech, and digital content
Company Specialties:
- AVOD, TVOD, Media streaming, and Video-on-demand
Company Website: rakuten.tv/es
ASSUMPTION: Rakuten TV is a well-established company with a strong presence in the European market. It offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with opportunities for growth and advancement
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Content Acquisition and works closely with cross-functional teams, including Legal, Finance, BI, Programming, and Operations
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office, with flexible scheduling)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into senior management or leadership roles within the content acquisition team
- Opportunities to expand skills and knowledge in the dynamic and evolving media landscape
- Chance to work on high-impact projects with significant business impact
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a strong focus on growth and innovation.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, sustainable offices near Barcelona beach, with a wellbeing-focused atmosphere
Office Location(s): C/ Badajoz, 60, Barcelona, 08005, ES
Geographic Context:
- Barcelona is a vibrant, multicultural city with a strong focus on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship
- The city offers a high quality of life, with a mild Mediterranean climate, rich cultural heritage, and numerous recreational opportunities
- Barcelona is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to the office from various neighborhoods
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling and a hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and wellbeing, with a strong focus on employee satisfaction and work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and relevant team members
- Final interview with the Head of Content Acquisition
Key Assessment Areas:
- Content strategy and acquisition skills
- Negotiation and deal management abilities
- Relationship-building and account management skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Rakuten's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the European media landscape and the role's requirements
- Prepare examples of successful content acquisitions or negotiations from your previous experience
- Research Rakuten TV's mission, values, and company culture to show your enthusiasm and alignment
ATS Keywords: Content Licensing, Content Acquisition, AVOD, FAST, Negotiation, Deal Management, Account Management, Relationship Building, Rights Management, Third-Party Partnerships, European Media Landscape
ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experiences, and cultural fit for the role and the company. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong understanding of the content acquisition process and a passion for driving business growth through strategic content partnerships.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., Vimeo, Kaltura, or similar)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or similar)
- Spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or similar)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is not required but may be beneficial for candidates seeking to excel in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Always improve, always advance
- Be passionately professional
- Hypothesize - Practice - Validate - Shikumika
- Maximize Customer Satisfaction
- Speed!! Speed!! Speed!!
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and proactive
- Adaptable and open to feedback
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a strong focus on growth and innovation?
- Are you passionate about driving business growth through strategic content partnerships?
- Do you possess strong negotiation and deal management skills, with a proven track record of success in content licensing, acquisition, or distribution?
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong alignment with Rakuten's mission, values, and company culture, with a passion for driving business growth through strategic content partnerships.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing complex content agreements and rights exploitation
- Working with multiple stakeholders, including internal teams and external partners
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day tactical execution
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with a strong focus on growth and innovation
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on AVOD and FAST content acquisition, requiring a strong understanding of advertising-based video-on-demand and free ad-supported streaming TV platforms
- Industry-specific context: The European media landscape is dynamic and evolving, with a strong focus on streaming services and direct-to-consumer offerings
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for growth and advancement within the content acquisition team, with potential progression into senior management or leadership roles
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on AVOD and FAST content acquisition, requiring a strong understanding of the European media landscape and the specific requirements of advertising-based video-on-demand and free ad-supported streaming TV platforms.
📝 Sample Projects
- Negotiating and closing a major content deal with a major studio or distributor for exclusive AVOD or FAST rights
- Developing and executing a content acquisition strategy for a new FAST channel launch, driving audience growth and engagement
- Managing the full licensing lifecycle for a high-profile event or live content, ensuring seamless implementation and maximum audience reach
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to illustrate the key responsibilities and requirements of the role, demonstrating the strategic and tactical skills required for success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the content acquisition strategy for Rakuten TV's AVOD and FAST platforms, and how this role contributes to its success?
- How does the content acquisition team collaborate with other departments, such as Programming, Legal, and Finance, to ensure accurate and efficient deal implementation?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Rakuten TV support the growth and development of its employees, and what opportunities are there for career progression within the content acquisition team?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that framework?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the candidate's understanding of the role, the company, and the broader content acquisition landscape, as well as their ability to contribute to the team's success and grow within the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of successful content acquisitions or negotiations from your previous experience
- Research Rakuten TV's mission, values, and company culture to show your enthusiasm and alignment
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
