Via - Head of Licensing, Americas
About The Position
Via Licensing Alliance is seeking a strategic, commercially oriented Head of Licensing to lead its licensing function across the Americas. The role sets and executes regional licensing strategy, translates company objectives into market priorities and operating plans, and builds a pipeline of licensing opportunities across existing and emerging technology sectors. The successful candidate combines intellectual property and commercial licensing expertise with people leadership, executive-level negotiation skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with current and prospective licensees. Working with global licensing leadership and cross-functional partners, the Head of Licensing is accountable for regional performance, team effectiveness, disciplined execution, and sustainable growth. This is a hybrid role requiring onsite work at Via’s San Francisco office three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday. Via Licensing Alliance, a subsidiary of Dolby Laboratories, administers patent licensing programs across areas including audio, video, broadcast, and power. Its programs cover 25,000 patents in over 130 countries, with nearly 100 current patent holders and more than 3,000 current licensees.
Requirements
- 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in patent legal practice and patent licensing, including significant leadership responsibility.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing regional or multi-market licensing strategies and delivering measurable commercial results.
- Experience leading, developing, and holding high-performing licensing or sales teams accountable.
- Deep expertise in complex license negotiations, account strategy, pipeline management, forecasting, and senior stakeholder engagement.
- Experience in technology, consumer electronics, automotive, semiconductor, media, and/or telecommunications industries.
- Strong knowledge of international licensing, standards-essential patent licensing, patent pools, and relevant intellectual property laws and market practices.
- Executive presence and exceptional negotiation, communication, influencing, and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to synthesize market intelligence and business data, make sound strategic decisions, and communicate clear recommendations to senior leadership.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, global environment.
- Proficiency with CRM platforms, licensing databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Ability to work onsite at Via’s San Francisco office three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday.
Nice To Haves
- Law degree and/or advanced degree in business or sciences.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with the VP of Licensing to define and lead the Americas licensing strategy, aligning regional priorities, market coverage, and execution plans with global business objectives.
- Lead and develop the Americas licensing function by establishing goals, operating rhythms, performance expectations, and accountability for results.
- Own regional licensing performance, including pipeline development, forecasting, account prioritization, revenue objectives, and progress against strategic targets.
- Identify and evaluate market opportunities across the Americas and turn industry, technology, and competitive insights into focused account and licensing strategies.
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with decision-makers at prospective and existing licensees, positioning Via as a trusted, solutions-oriented licensing partner.
- Lead complex, high-value license negotiations from initial engagement through execution, working with internal and external legal counsel to structure and finalize agreements.
- Represent the Americas’ commercial perspectives and opportunities in global licensing strategy, planning, and leadership discussions.
- Partner with Program Management, Legal, Finance, Accounting, Operations, and other cross-functional teams to coordinate execution and align with broader business priorities.
- Monitor industry trends, competitive dynamics, standards-essential patent developments, and regional intellectual property and licensing matters that could affect strategy or execution.
- Provide senior management with clear, data-driven reporting on regional performance, pipeline health, forecasts, risks, and recommended actions.
- Champion disciplined use of CRM and other commercial tools to improve visibility, decision-making, account management, and forecasting accuracy.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
