(On-site) Brand and Licensing Specialist

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The department of Brand and Trademark Licensing at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Brand and Licensing Specialist. The Brand and Licensing Specialist plays an integral role in the University's brand extension by engaging the system campuses, WVU Medicine, WVU Alumni Association and its alumni chapters, WVU Extension, WVU Foundation as well as other WVU colleges, departments and student organizations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, sport management and/or business administration or a related field.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following: Branding
• Communications and/or customer service
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Knowledge of office methods, procedures and protocol along with thorough knowledge of correct English, grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure.
• Ability to rapidly acquire a working knowledge of the unit’s policies and procedures pertaining to trademark licensing and branding.
• Skill and experience in identifying the correct issues to be communicated, the appropriate audience, the method and timing of communication.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain strong interpersonal skills and maintain professional demeanor while interacting with customers either in person, over the phone or via email.
• Ability to rapidly acquire working knowledge of the Brand Manager 360 database.
• Ability to reason logically and analyze and solve problems.
• Ability to apply judgement, discretion and initiative in performing complex technical work on a variety of complex administrative tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and prioritize many different tasks, determine relative importance to each, set deadlines and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to shop the marketplace for non-compliant or infringing merchandise.
• Ability to take photographs.
• Ability to type with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a larger team.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing situations and providing sound professional judgment on problems dealing with public communication and branding.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive and sometimes confidential issues appropriately, and work as a team in a crisis; skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Skill in organizing tasks, documents and materials with efficiency and accuracy.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage priorities and projects effectively.
• Ability to work under continuous time constraints and deadlines.
• Ability to work outside the traditional workweek when needed.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
• Ability to effectively communicate with University personnel and the public
• Demonstrated public relations skills.
• Ability to develop an understanding of legal and policy issues related to trademarks.
• Ability to develop an understanding of the legal issues, procedures and documentation associated with trademark licensing arrangements.
• Ability to learn the procedures and documentation requirements for the establishment of trademarks.
• Ability to assess current and developing legal issues, corporate social responsibility and trends in trademark licensing industry.
• Ability to understand basic contracts, trademark laws, and property rights laws.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and assist with enforcement of trademark and branding standards.
• Experience in budget management, financial analysis, and budget preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex issues and to creatively solve problems.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Program planning and implementation skills.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain record keeping systems and procedures.
• Skill in the use of computers, preferably in an Apple, iOS based operating environment.
• Skill in developing policy and procedure documentation.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Manages WVU’s internal licensing program through continual review of processes and strategies for the program to run efficiently.
• Coordinates the internal brand artwork approval process through CLC (Collegiate Licensing Company) database, Brand Manager 360 (BM360). In doing so, supports University branding efforts and establishes productive relationships with the University and its schools, colleges, system campuses and departments as well as WVU Medicine, WVU Foundation and WVU Alumni Association.
• Plays an integral role in the University's brand extension by engaging the system campuses, WVU Medicine, WVU Alumni Association and its alumni chapters, WVU Extension, WVU Foundation as well as other WVU colleges, departments and student organizations.
• Works closely with campus partners to assist with using the WVU brand correctly on licensed products.
• Helps internal departments, student organizations, club sports, WVU Medicine, WVU Foundation and WVU Alumni Association to find licensees to place WVU branded product orders. Works with licensees and campus entities to ensure the WVU brand is correctly used on product and apparel.
• Communicates effectively and efficiently - in a very professional manner - with licensees to ensure all University marks are used correctly.
• Maintains digital artwork examples that can be used in brand presentations given to internal campus groups.
• Develops educational tools such as, guidelines, workshops and other communications in order to assure correct usage of WVU's approved logos, verbiage and brand.
• Presents at training programs for club sports, student organizations, WVU Extension agents, WVU Alumni Chapters, internal licensees at the Brand and Trademark Licensing Fair and other groups as required.
• Develop and maintain presentations using PowerPoint for the Trademark Licensing team. Presentations will be used to educate departments on campus, licensees and retailers
• Assists with event logistics for Brand and Trademark Licensing events such as retail activations, product launches, etc.
• Manages WVU’s youth mascot, Musket. This includes scheduling appearances at athletics, community and campus events, coordinating logistics and attending appearances with Musket.
• Manages Mountaineer Statue requests from both internal and external parties - monitors inventory, works with business manager to invoice the requesting parties, and coordinates delivery or shipment of statues.
• Assists with review and tagging of retail artwork in Brand Manager 360.
• Assists with the trademark compliance component of the unit by monitoring the retail marketplace and gathering evidence of non-complaint or infringing merchandise by taking photographs of each instance and/or purchasing the non-compliant or infringing merchandise using state procurement card. Researches and gathers additional evidence as required. Reviews various newspapers, publications and websites for occurrences of trademark infringement.
• Assists with the requirements of state and federal trademark registration including obtaining specimens and pictures of specimens for trademark registrations as required by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the WV Secretary of State's Office.
• Issues one-time approval letters for various third parties who request to use WVU trademarks.
• Manages and maintains Brand and Trademark Licensing website.
• Coordinates and organizes annual Brand and Trademark Licensing Fair. Using BM 360, generates a variety of licensee lists on a regular basis.
• Researches, consolidates, analyzes and interprets data to produce specialized reports for the Brand and Trademark Licensing department; provides information to administrators, faculty, staff and external agencies as needed.
• Effectively and quickly communicates with internal and external partners to assure all Brand and Trademark Licensing inquiries and concerns are dealt with as best as possible.
• Maintains a positive and professional relationship with internal and external partners.
• Maintains shared drive as a resource for the day-to-day operation of the department.
• Provide event support for Brand and Trademark Licensing events as we all as other recruitment events across campus.
• Assists with hosting retailers and licensees at designated appreciation events.
• Obtains and compiles necessary information for correspondence, agreements and other documents as required.
• Represents WVU Brand and Trademark Licensing to the Fair Labor Association (FLA). Maintains FLA Compliance for internal licenses. Assist Director with FLA and WRC affiliation dues.
• Collaborates with Enrollment Management and recruitment/outreach teams to market and brand the University to potential students, state government, University affiliates and all other WVU stakeholders.
• Collaborates with other team members from areas across the University to produce trend-setting strategies, projects and campaigns.
• Works together as part of a team but also has the ability to work independently to create, strategize and execute projects and campaigns as needed.
• Fields general licensing questions that come to the office via email or phone call.
• Performs related duties as assigned or directed.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level