Duke University Job Descriptions
Duke Job Postings
To see if there are current openings for any of the job descriptions listed on this web site, please search Duke Jobs.
DIR, TRADEMARK LICENSING
Job Title: DIR, TRADEMARK LICENSING
Job Code: 1175
FLSA: E
Job Level: 60
Revised Date: 02/01/2023
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
Reporting into the Associate Vice President, Budgets and Central Business Operations, the Director, Trademark & Licensing will direct the overall work and exercise management responsibility over all functions related to the Duke University Trademark Licensing Program.
Work Performed
Directly manage the major functions of Duke's Trademark Licensing program to include the use of Duke's names, trademarks, logos, images, identifiers, and those for Duke organizations, departments, events, etc., worldwide, including but not limited to Duke University, Duke Health, and Duke Kunshan. Consulting regularly and as needed with Duke's trademark licensing working group, made up of various stakeholders, such as the Associate Vice President for Budgets and Central Business Operations, the Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations, Duke's Office of General Counsel, the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, the Deputy Director of Athletics, as well as representatives from Duke's outside licensing agent.
Control and monitor the use of Duke's name, trademarks and other identifiers to ensure Duke does not risk losing its rights to use them as unique Duke Identifiers, collaborating as necessary with the Office of General Counsel on trademark registrations, renewals, and enforcement matters.
Coordinate closely with Duke Athletics and the Office of General Counsel on all contracts with student athletes involving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), ensuring any requested use of Duke's marks are appropriate and in accordance with University guidelines.
Ensure that all products, services and/or programs that bear Duke's name, trademarks and other identifiers are of high quality and are used only in connection with products, services and programs with which the institution has chosen to be identified and which, as a result, it has assumed some level of responsibility.
Ensure that products, services and programs bearing Duke's name and/or trademarks, etc. protect the integrity and reputation of the institution, maintain and build upon the goodwill of the institution, and promote support for and increase awareness of the institution, its mission and goals.
Manage the relationships with Duke Licensees, Duke factory monitors and owners, Duke's licensing agent(s) and related entities, to ensure that Duke's goals, objectives and policies are adhered to, and that Duke products are not manufactured in abusive and unfair labor conditions.
Provide direction to staff management by applying leadership and technical knowledge in the implementation and execution of the planned programs and priorities for the department. Determine fiscal requirements of the department and formulate the annual operating budget for Duke's licensing program, ensuring expenses are appropriately managed and royalties are distributed per agreed upon formulas.
Direct various personnel functions including, but not limited to, hiring, performance evaluation, promotions, transfers and time-off schedules.
Direct and maintain an environment and culture that promotes Duke's values and is committed to furthering the accomplishment of the University's goals with respect to diversity, inclusion, and ESG.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work describe herein.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
Successful candidates may also hold a JD (Juris Doctorate), but having such is not required.
Experience
Requires a minimum seven (7) years working directly managing/overseeing trademark and licensing programs within a higher education and/or academic institution or similar profit or not for profit entity.
Skills
A successful candidate will possess a demonstrated history of accomplishments overseeing a trademark licensing program for a university system or similarly complex organization. The ideal candidate will be an operationally talented leader who has a proven capability of collaborating and working synergistically with diverse constituencies to effect operational changes necessary to ensure a high-quality trademark licensing division.
Possesses excellent communication skills in a variety of modes and with a variety of constituencies, and the ability to inform decisions through effective communication, influence, and persuasion at all organizational levels, while balancing patience and a sense of urgency.
An individual who is known to be a highly effective leader who can both sit at the executive table and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students across the institution.
Ability to advance and support inter-institutional partnerships.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
