Executive Director, Intellectual Property & Licensing, Office of Communications and Marketing

Details

Posted: 01-Jun-26

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

Type: Full-time

Categories

Operations

Sector

Collegiate Sports

University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN

Executive Director, Intellectual Property & Licensing, Office of Communications and Marketing

Job Description The University of Tennessee seeks a dynamic and strategic Executive Director of Intellectual Property & Licensing to lead the University’s trademark, brand protection, collegiate licensing, and commercial brand strategy initiatives. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Brand Partnerships & Licensing, the Executive Director provides vision, leadership, and operational oversight for the University’s brand intellectual property portfolio, including trademark protection, licensing, brand enforcement, strategic partnerships, and revenue-generating commercialization opportunities that enhance and protect the Tennessee brand.

The Executive Director will align intellectual property management with UTK’s institutional and athletic brand, corporate partnerships, and commercialization goals, ensuring that trademark, copyright and related creative works are translated into meaningful strategies, supporting efforts to expand and elevate our brand. The role sits at the intersection of business and brand advancement, requiring both technical expertise and collaborative leadership with key campus stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive intellectual property strategy aligned with UTK’s mission, brand stewardship, athletic vision and partnership objectives.
• Provide executive oversight of trademark licensing, retail brand commercialization, and related licensing agreements that advance and protect the University’s brand while driving revenue growth across key licensing categories.
• Work closely with the brand creative teams within campus and athletic departments to ensure consistency across all.
• Lead contract and vendor agreements with licensing contracts and retail distribution rights.
• Lead the interpretation and application of UTK, UT System, state and federal intellectual property policies while actively participating in the identification, maintenance, and need for other policies.
• Work with the licensing team members to manage budgets, revenue distribution, and financial reporting related to their licensing activities.
• Advise senior leadership on risks, opportunities, and emerging trends affecting branding and commercialization.
• Oversee and evaluate brand-related intellectual property disclosures, protection strategies, prosecution, portfolio management, and maintenance, specifically for university trademarks and copyrights.
• Manage and direct relationships with outside counsel and service providers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable state, federal and collegiate regulations.
• Collaborate with campus partners including athletics, campus operations, research administration, corporate engagement, and advancement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to campus units on brand intellectual property and commercialization matters.
• Promote a culture of innovation and asset development through education, outreach, and training related to intellectual property, trademark licensing and copyright.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing intellectual property and licensing team.
• Establish performance metrics and reporting structures to assess impact and continuous improvement.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in licensing, brand marketing, intellectual property management, or related fields.
• 5+ years supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a complex academic, corporate or innovation-driven organization.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. intellectual property law and commercialization practice.
• Solid working knowledge of U.S. intellectual property law and licensing methods.
• Proven experience negotiating and managing sophisticated intellectual property arrangements.
• Familiarity with brand licensing, corporate partnerships, athletics, or consumer-facing intellectual property programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic, integrative thinking across legal, brand, and partnerships
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented leadership style
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills
• High ethical standards and sound judgment
• Strong judgment, integrity, and communication skills
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and manage diverse stakeholder interests

Preferred

• Advanced degree in business, marketing, intellectual property, law or a related field.
• Experience at a university or within a corporate intellectual property division or firm is preferred.

Work Location

• Knoxville, TN
• This is an onsite position

Compensation and Benefits The university offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes health insurance and retirement plans through the State of Tennessee, generous annual and sick leave accruals, longevity pay, tuition waivers and discounts, and more. Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions For full consideration, applicants must apply electronically and submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, email addresses and phone numbers of three references. A minimum of two references should be current or previous supervisors. Interested candidates should formally apply and include a letter of intent, CV/Resume, and names and contact information for three (3) professional references. Nominations and confidential inquiries are encouraged and may be sent via e-mail to Anthony Lanagan, Executive Recruiter, ***email_hidden***.

Direct Apply Link:

EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.

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