Director of Trademarks and Licensing

Director of Trademarks and Licensing - (ATH

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

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).

Essential Functions:

• 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.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

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.

Corporate partnership or marketing sponsorship experience preferred. Project management experience desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

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.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Athletics

Organization: Athletics

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: Oct 27, 2025, 10:02:24 AM