Own the university's brand IP strategy and licensing program, aligning protections, revenue generation, and campus partnerships to safeguard UTK's marks while enabling strategic licensing and commercial opportunities.

• 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.

• Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

• 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.

• 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