Department: University Communications
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $92,000 - $110,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA10-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

October 25, 2024 (updated); position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following with your online application:

A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.

A resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Department Summary

University Communications drives the University of Oregon’s strategic goals through the development and implementation of comprehensive communications and marketing programs. The division manages media relations, digital communications, social media, creative design, writing, editing, strategic communications, licensing, and marketing strategy. It collaborates with departments across campus to tell the UO’s key stories, enhance its reputation, and support initiatives that showcase academic and research excellence while promoting student success.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Marketing and Brand Strategy, the director of licensing will manage the daily operation of the university’s trademark licensing program and is responsible for enhancing and executing the brand reputation of the University of Oregon. The position will help lead brand activation efforts of the university through the development, coordination, and implementation of strategic branding and licensing initiatives; including directing, maintaining, and developing licensing business initiatives. The director will also oversee and manage agency partnerships for enforcement and legal counsel, negotiate and manage licensing contracts, help with the ideation and implementation of marketing campaigns. The position must have experience in managing employees, writing and implementing strategic business and marketing plans, and managing budgets. The director will manage the university’s trademark portfolio to grow revenue, add value, and increase long-term brand equity while ensuring sound protection of the integrity and use of university trademarks. The director will serve as the primary interface with the university’s licensing agency and key licensing partners and is the primary campus contact for licensed merchandise and use of trademarks by internal parties. The position will make decisions on approvals for local licenses and oversee the licensing agency relationship including the use and approval of university trademarks, granting of new licenses, and renewal and revision of existing licenses. The director will work closely with internal and external constituents to solidify the UO brand and streamline communications between various units on campus, including but not limited to Athletics, Advancement, Alumni, and Enrollment Management.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree OR an equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Eight years of progressive experience in product development, merchandising and/or trademark licensing.
• Eight years experience in strategic communications, advertising, public relations, or marketing.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to supervise professional employees.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state trademark law and trademark licensing procedures and principles.
• Competency in contract negotiations and working closely with purchasing and contracting services.
• Competency in the formulation of institutional policies and procedures and the enforcement of those policies.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to reach target audiences and key stakeholders.
• Ability to work within a complex institutional setting, i.e., university, college, or similar environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and equity.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple internal and external colleagues as well as third party vendors.
• Expertise working with licensees and retailers to activate brands regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Excellent organizational skills, including a high level of attention to detail and follow-through.
• Effective budget planning and management skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot, in addition to the ability to work independently in a dynamic team environment.
• Ability to complete projects collaboratively.
• Ability to manage projects, work effectively with others and to develop strategies to achieve operating goals.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, licensing database applications or other similar applications.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with highly sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education trademark and licensing and communications departments.
• Ten years or more experience in strategic communications, public relations, marketing, advertising or related field.
• Ten years or more experience working with third-party licensing agencies, including but not limited to, Fermata, Fanatics, CLC, Learfield.
• Experience working with large brands such as Columbia, Disney, and Nike preferred.
• Advanced Degree.
• Budget management experience, including project budget development and budget tracking for digital media, print media, ad campaigns, and other marketing.
• Strong passion for and knowledge of technology, emerging media, and digital communications.
• Experience working with NIL (Name, Image and Likeness), MMR holders (multimedia rights holders), and/or student athlete collectives.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.