Executive Director of Name Use and Trademark Licensing

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Law, or related field required. JD, MBA, or other advanced degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in trademark licensing, intellectual property management, or brand strategy, with demonstrated experience in strategic planning and program development. Proven success managing licensing programs with annual revenues of $1M+ and track record of revenue growth.

Strategic & Leadership Competencies:

• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans with measurable business outcomes
• Strong leadership skills with experience building and leading teams and cross-functional initiatives
• Advanced negotiation and relationship management skills with senior executives and external partners
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for diverse stakeholders including senior leadership
• Demonstrated success in driving process innovation and organizational improvement

Technical & Industry Expertise:

• Operational knowledge of trademark law, licensing regulations, and intellectual property protection
• Experience with complex licensing agreement structures and revenue optimization
• Understanding of higher education governance, athletics operations, and institutional decision-making processes
• Financial management experience including budgeting, revenue analysis, and strategic planning
• Knowledge of digital brand management and emerging licensing technologies

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in higher education trademark licensing or university business operations
• Knowledge of NCAA regulations, NIL requirements, and athletics partnership structures
• Experience working with external licensing agents and managing vendor relationships
• Background in corporate partnerships or business development
• Industry recognition and professional involvement in trademark licensing community
• Demonstrated expertise in cross-functional collaboration and building consensus among diverse stakeholders with competing priorities
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguous situations and make strategic decisions with incomplete information or evolving requirements
• Experience successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder environments with competing interests and institutional constraints

Key Performance Indicators:

• Licensing revenue growth and program expansion
• Effective trademark protection and brand integrity maintenance
• Strategic partnership development and stakeholder satisfaction
• Cross-campus collaboration and policy alignment
• Process efficiency and innovation implementation

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently sitting.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds;
• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasionally work evenings and weekends.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The expected pay range for this position is $206,749 - $228,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.