Director of Trademarks and Licensing

Southern Methodist University • Dallas, TX

73d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Director of Trademarks and Licensing leads strategy, management, and daily operations of the University's collegiate trademark licensing program. The primary goal of the position is to protect, promote and to elevate the University's recognition as a premier institution of higher education, emphasizing excellence and supporting the University's mission, values and goals. Working with campus partners, (notably DEA and OLA), the Director regulates, promotes and protects the use of the university's name and identifying marks, both on and off campus, and serves as the campus contact responsible for the use of the University brand on products and services; university promotions and advertising; sponsorships; affinity programs; and enforcement of the brand. The Director of Trademarks and Licensing is the primary liaison for all licensees and the University's licensing agency, the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required. Master's preferred.
• A minimum of five years of work experience in collegiate licensing, consumer products retail, sports marketing or related field.
• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. The ability to interact effectively in an academic and corporate setting; and handle sensitive matters with discretion and tact while maintaining confidentiality, is essential.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Candidate must have knowledge of basic contracts, trademark laws, and property rights laws Must also have strong negotiation experience and marketing skills. An understanding corporate responsibility, fair labor and workforce issues preferred.
• Sit for long periods of time

Nice To Haves

• Corporate partnership or marketing sponsorship experience preferred. Project management experience desired.
• An understanding corporate responsibility, fair labor and workforce issues preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage all aspects of SMU's collegiate licensing program, including art approvals, licensee management, retailer liaison, and revenue forecasting and serve as the primary campus resource on trademark and copyright regulations and enforcement while aggressively protecting the SMU brand and intellectual property.
• Collaborate with athletic units to facilitate partnership use of university intellectual property (IP), including with sponsors, retailers, and NIL opportunities and serve as a key contributor to the University's relationship with an official apparel partner.
• Seek out co-branding opportunities with retailers and licensees that augment revenue streams and/or enhance the SMU brand and develop an annual plan for proactive revenue growth.
• Develop and enforce internal licensing practices and protocols.
• Serve as project lead on licensing related special projects, including EA Sports products, collectibles and other unique opportunities.
• Serve as a key contributor to the University's relationship with an official apparel partner.
• The person in this role must have access to transportation, as travel throughout the region is required.

Benefits

• SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
• SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
• The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees