Johns Hopkins has been credited as the most trusted brand in higher education and is seeking a Licensing Specialist who will be a critical player to support that success.

The Licensing Specialist is responsible for managing workflow for branded merchandise University-wide and the essential relationships that support that workflow. Positioned on the University Communications creative team this role reports into the Director of Creative Strategy and works closely with the University Communications Brand Manager. This position is the lead point of contact with Johns Hopkins’ Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) representative as well as the University Barnes and Noble Bookstore and other external merchandise vendors.

The Licensing Specialist is responsible to define and lead the University-wide licensing program that encompasses merchandise sold to external audiences and branded give-aways ordered for internal stakeholders. Oversight includes managing requests for licenses from external-vendors seeking to use the Johns Hopkins name and brandmarks for profit (ex. Dicks Sporting Goods). Once vendors are licensed, this role reviews individual art submissions from those vendors to ensure alignment to the University brand guidelines. In addition to reviewing and advising external vendors, the Licensing Specialist also reviews merchandise ordered for internal stakeholders. Reviewing internal orders requires collaboration with creative team colleagues and constituents across the University to guide solutions where brand alignment issues arise to ultimately support consistent and appropriate use of the Johns Hopkins name and brand.

In addition to reviewing art files, the Licensing Specialist leverages a combination of tools to inform holistic reporting and to evolve the overarching licensing strategy. The Licensing Specialist also collaborates with the University Brand Manager and stakeholders from across the University on targeted licensing initiatives. These initiatives could include partnering with a specific division to launch a virtual pop-up shop of offerings to support a flagship event or partnering with the University Bookstore on a new item that amplifies student experience.

The Licensing Specialist leverages relationships with outside vendors as needed for specific needs such as identifying and leading partnership with a vendor to produce an official representation of the University mascot or partnering with the University Brand Manager to optimize internal resources based on insights from reporting and industry trends. With input from across the University, the Licensing Specialist is responsible to define and oversee a strategy to direct licensing revenue to defined goals.

To be successful in this role, the Licensing Specialist must collaborate with colleagues across the University but also be able to work independently with little supervision. Understanding of branding and design principles and production is essential as is a commitment to organization and solving at scale.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Licensing Workflow Operations

• Serve as the primary contact person with our Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) business partner.
• Review a high volume of artwork and vendor license submissions on the Brand Manager360 platform. Submissions can vary from 25 to 100+ in a given day and require review within two business days. The majority of items can be reviewed in minutes, but a handful of items will require seeking additional context and/or following up with vendors to provide tailored guidance.

Relationship Management

• Manage relationship with the JHU Bookstore to ensure all retail product in the brick-and-mortar store, as well as online, represents the university appropriately. Identify opportunities to support shared strategic goals between the store and the university.
• Collaborate with CLC, the University bookstore and athletics department on marketing plans for licensed merchandise.
• Maintain and grow relationships among marketing colleagues across the University to foster greater alignment of licensing and branding efforts.
• Serve as a member of the Use of Name Committee for Johns Hopkins.
• Engage legal to assist with necessary matters related to Use of Name.

Analysis and Reporting

• Monitor and analyze peers and industry standards to provide guidance for latest trends and opportunities.
• Execute specific audit or assessments as requested to inform efficient decision making and scalable strategies.
• Research and recommend strategic use of licensing income.
• Track license royalties and report out quarterly.
• Leverage insights from CLC and procurement to refine and grow vendor partnerships (ex. increase scale of local and minority-owned licensed vendors).

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; possess the ability to deal effectively with a broad spectrum of professionals and stakeholders.
• Proven client relation skills.
• Ability to lead projects within a complex and decentralized environment.
• Attention to detail, highly organized and excellent follow through.
• Willingness and ability to learn to platforms and programs in an evolving industry.
• Ability to multi-task and produce under pressure of multiple and conflicting deadlines.
• Must be autonomous and able to self-manage, work independently, and set own priorities.
• Strategic thinker able to identify long-term opportunities and trends.
• Proactive ability to find opportunities for system and process improvements and present recommendations; identify, research, and gather information and propose recommendations to improve efficiency and identify new initiatives.
• Outstanding ability to articulate details, status updates, and desired outcomes to management and vendors and partners.
• Working knowledge of graphic design principles and production process.
• Proven ability to develop, document and communicate strategic guidance.

• Bachelor's Degree in related field.
• Four years related experience.
• Advanced degree may substitute for require experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Degree in marketing, communications, business is preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years, preferably more years of related licensing, branding, or Marketing and Communications experience.

Classified Title: Communications Associate 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Licensing Specialist   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD  
Starting Salary Range: Min $62,300 - Max $109,000.00 Annually (Targeted $85,000.00;Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday/ 8:30am - 5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/JH at Keswick 
Department name: ???????University Communications 
Personnel area: University Administration 

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer