Job Summary:
Wisconsin’s Trademark Licensing program is an approximately $5M business unit responsible for the growth and management of the university’s licensing portfolio. Wisconsin’s storied reputation, powerful brand and premiere athletic programs make the program unique in the nation, one of a handful in its class capable of forging distinctive business relationships and commanding high value in the marketplace.
Since its inception in the 1980s, the university’s licensing program has sought to manage trademarks for the benefit of the university, with revenues funding student scholarships. As the collegiate licensing landscape evolves, the university’s trademark licensing program must expand and advance as well, focusing on new strategies, tactics and innovations for the benefit of the university and its students, faculty, staff and alumni.
This is a unique role for the university and in the collegiate licensing industry. Successful candidates will not only understand the licensing business, but have proven competencies in business development and passion for the Wisconsin brand. Because Wisconsin’s licensing portfolio is a multi-faceted business, a strong candidate may also have significant experience in retailing, merchandising, marketing, or law.
Responsibilities:
Directs the University’s Trademark Licensing Program. Represents and proactively educates internal and external university constituents on licensing and trademark policies, procedures, and matters. Leads the Office of Licensing & Trademarks Team and office administrative functions.
- 20% Leads and develops strategies for and executes licensing and trademarks program designed to increase relationships with licensees and retail buyers with royalty growth potential
- 10% Provides highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define licensing and trademarks methodologies and standards; provides direction and guidance on high-priority projects/initiatives
- 15% Establishes short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing project timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multi-phase licensing and trademarks initiatives
- 10% Manages high-level assignments and allocation of licensing and trademarks resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale licensing and trademarks projects with wide audiences in support of successful partnerships
- 5% Makes budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment
- 15% Researches and stays up-to-date on new industry licensing and retail standards, business processes, trademark law, and best practices; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needs
- 5% Prepares management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering, and advisory committees; acts as advisor to executive committees; serves on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to licensing and trademarks
- 10% Creates, grows and maintains external relationships with licensees, retailers and other critical partners, including close collaboration with university’s licensing agency.
- 5% Works closely with university’s sponsorship sales arms and corporate relations teams.
- 5% Serves as the administrative convener of the university’s labor codes and licensing advisory committee, upholding the university’s commitment to fair labor practices in its licensing portfolio.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Preferred
Bachelor’s Degree
Qualifications:
Required:
– At least 8 years of professional experience in licensing management or licensing-related business extensions (e.g. marketing, law, retailing, business development)
– Ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
– Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously from planning through implementation and reporting
– Excellent verbal, written, and digital communication skills; proven ability to communicate in a timely, effective manner
– Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through the careful review and management of corporate social responsibility, licensing code of conduct, and workers’ rights issues
Preferred:
– Experience with the University of Wisconsin-Madison brand
– Advanced problem-solving skills
– Strong data analytical skills and experience with financial reporting
– Ability to work in a team environment and collaborate across different levels of an organization
– Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop productive working relationships
– Supervisory experience
– Familiarity with higher education
We are proud to have a continuous learning culture. Candidates who do not meet all preferred requirements are still encouraged to apply as there will be space to learn and grow.
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $90,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.
Additional Information:
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.
How to Apply:
Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above to create or update a UW-Madison Jobs profile. You will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume highlighting your experience and skills as they relate to the qualifications listed for this position.
Contact:
Kory Breuer
kory.breuer@wisc.edu
608-264-3551
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Trademark & Licensing Officer(CM088)
Department(s):
A02-GENERAL SERVICES/VC FOR UNIV RELATIONS/TRADEMRK-LICENSING
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
276637-AS
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
Applications Open: Mar 31 2023 Central Daylight Time
Applications Close: Apr 30 2023 11:55 PM Central Daylight Time