Indiana University · 2 days ago
Director of Licensing and Trademarks (Licensing and Trademarks Leader)
Bloomington, IN
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expIndiana University is seeking a Director of Licensing and Trademarks to lead its trademark licensing program across multiple campus brands. The role focuses on revenue growth, brand integrity, and developing partnerships while ensuring compliance and effective management of licensing agreements.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Leads and grows IU's trademark licensing program across 9 brands, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and market opportunities
Negotiates and manages licensing agreements with licensees, optimizing royalty structures, product categories, and distribution channels
Drives revenue through strategic product development, assortment refinement, and marketing activations that elevate IU's brand presence
Collaborates with licensees to launch innovative, high-quality products that resonate with IU's diverse audiences
Serves as IU's licensing liaison with external agencies, retailers, manufacturers, and collegiate partners (NCAA, B1G, NAIA, etc.) to expand brand reach and visibility
Oversees a Licensee Social Responsibility program and Vendor Code of Conduct. Function as a liaison with the Workers Right Consortium and represent Indiana University on social responsibilities matters
Partners with IU's Office of General Counsel and the Collegiate Licensing Company to manage trademark registrations, renewals, and enforcement actions
Monitors and addresses unauthorized use of IU trademarks, coordinating cease-and-desist efforts and domain name disputes with the Collegiate Licensing Company
Oversees trademark usage in purchasing and sponsored research agreements, ensuring compliance and brand consistency
Maintains trademark policies and procedures in alignment with federal, state, and university regulations
Engages US Customs to ensure licensed goods have a clear path of entry into the US
Educates and empowers internal and external stakeholders on trademark usage, licensing policies, and brand standards
Fosters collaborative relationships with university units, licensees, and external partners to ensure consistent and inspired brand representation
Conducts market research and trend analysis to identify new product opportunities and recruit licensees that fill assortment gaps
Represents IU at industry conferences and tradeshows, serving as a brand ambassador and relationship builder
Leads the Office of Licensing and Trademarks team, setting strategic goals, managing budgets, and optimizing workflows
Manages revenue intake and distribution in accordance with university policies, and conduct cost analyses to improve operational efficiency
Uses CLC retail analytics to monitor licensee performance, assess product category performance, identify gaps in assortment and distribution, and track KPIs
Actively evaluates office performance by establishing and assessing revenue growth targets, brand protection outcomes, stakeholder satisfaction, and licensee recruitment and retainment
Formulates strategic planning and the highest-level operational objectives for licensing and trademarks
Establishes long-term business plans and long-term strategic objectives
Responsible for escalated operational issues, including human resources and/or people management situations
Drives innovation and excellence within the areas of licensing and trademarks; reviews and creates policies and procedures
Determines overall budget for licensing and trademarks operations; reviews and approves financial proposals from direct reports; has significant fiscal responsibilities that require frequent interaction with executive leaders
Develops business relationships across the university and externally to improve upon licensing and trademarks policies and procedures
Stays up-to-date on new industry licensing and trademarks standards and new/revised laws and/or regulations; liaisons with other licensing and trademarks leaders across departments and/or campuses in determining standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures; ensures the adoption and implementation across the university
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in related field
5 years in years in licensing, business development, or related field
3 years of management experience in relevant field
Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent collaboration and team building skills
Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
Instills commitment to organizational goals
Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
Effective conflict management skills
Builds and manages effective teams
Effective leadership skills
Ability to represent the company with external constituents
Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
Preferred
Master's degree in related field
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Company
Indiana University
Indiana University looked for ways to promote innovation while assisting students in building better futures.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Nancy Paton
Vice President & Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Aaron Neal
Deputy CIO
Recent News
Inside INdiana Business
2026-01-13
2025-10-31
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