(On-site) Brand and Licensing Specialist

About the role

The Brand and Licensing Specialist plays an integral role in the University's brand extension by engaging the system campuses, WVU Medicine, WVU Alumni Association and its alumni chapters, WVU Extension, WVU Foundation as well as other WVU colleges, departments and student organizations.

Responsibilities

• Manages WVU’s internal licensing program through continual review of processes and strategies for the program to run efficiently.
• Captures and maintains digital artwork examples that can be used in brand presentations given to internal campus groups.
• Develops educational tools such as, guidelines, workshops and other communications in order to assure correct usage of WVU's approved logos, verbiage and brand.
• Presents at training programs for club sports, student organizations, WVU Extension agents, WVU Alumni Chapters, internal licensees at the Brand and Trademark Licensing Fair and other groups as required.
• Issues one-time approval letters for various third parties who request to use WVU trademarks.
• Manages and maintains Brand and Trademark Licensing website.
• Coordinates and organizes annual Brand and Trademark Licensing Fair.
• Generates a variety of licensee lists on a regular basis.
• Researches, consolidates, analyzes and interprets data to produce specialized reports for the Brand and Trademark Licensing department; provides information to administrators, faculty, staff and external agencies as needed.
• Effectively and quickly communicates with internal and external partners to assure all Brand and Trademark Licensing inquiries and concerns are dealt with as best as possible.
• Maintains a positive and professional relationship with internal and external partners.
• Maintains shared drive as a resource for the day-to-day operation of the department.
• Provides event support for Brand and Trademark Licensing events as well as other recruitment events across campus.
• Assists with hosting retailers and licensees at designated appreciation events.
• Obtains and compiles necessary information for correspondence, agreements and other documents as required.
• Represents WVU Brand and Trademark Licensing to the Fair Labor Association (FLA).
• Maintains FLA Compliance for internal licenses.
• Affords assistance with enrollment management and recruitment/outreach teams to market and brand the University to potential students, state government, University affiliates and all other WVU stakeholders.
• Collaborates with other team members from areas across the University to produce trend-setting strategies, projects and campaigns.
• Works together as part of a team but also has the ability to work independently to create, strategize and execute projects and campaigns as needed.
• Fields general licensing questions that come to the office via email or phone call.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, sport management and/or business administration or a related field.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:Branding, Communications and/or customer service.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of office methods, procedures and protocol along with thorough knowledge of correct English, grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure.
• Ability to rapidly acquire a working knowledge of the unit’s policies and procedures pertaining to trademark licensing and branding.
• Skill and experience in identifying the correct issues to be communicated, the appropriate audience, the method and timing of communication.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain strong interpersonal skills and maintain professional demeanor while interacting with customers either in person, over the phone or via email.
• Ability to rapidly acquire working knowledge of the Brand Manager 360 database.
• Ability to reason logically and analyze and solve problems.
• Ability to apply judgement, discretion and initiative in performing complex technical work on a variety of complex administrative tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and prioritize many different tasks, determine relative importance to each, set deadlines and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to shop the marketplace for non-compliant or infringing merchandise.
• Ability to take photographs.
• Ability to type with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a larger team.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing situations and providing sound professional judgment on problems dealing with public communication and branding.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive and sometimes confidential issues appropriately, and work as a team in a crisis; skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Skill in organizing tasks, documents and materials with efficiency and accuracy.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage priorities and projects effectively.
• Ability to work under continuous time constraints and deadlines.
• Ability to work outside the traditional workweek when needed.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
• Ability to effectively communicate with University personnel and the public.
• Demonstrated public relations skills.
• Experience in budget management, financial analysis, and budget preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex issues and to creatively solve problems.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to develop an understanding of legal and policy issues related to trademarks.
• Ability to develop an understanding of the legal issues, procedures and documentation associated with trademark licensing arrangements.
• Ability to learn the procedures and documentation requirements for the establishment of trademarks.
• Ability to assess current and developing legal issues, corporate social responsibility and trends in trademark licensing industry.
• Ability to understand basic contracts, trademark laws, and property rights laws.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and assist with enforcement of trademark and branding standards.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree.