Associate Licensing Specialist

At Fanatics Commerce, we’re more than just a leader in licensed sports merchandise – we’re a team united by a relentless passion for our fans and a commitment to innovation. We live by our BOLD Leadership principles: We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

As an Associate Licensing Specialist this position will support the quality control review and licensor submission of designs to ensure all items are licensor approved prior to production. This position will report into the licensing manager but will partner with creative/design, production art, royalties, and other cross functional teams to review, request revision of designs and/or design names for copyright and trademark clearance.  The ideal candidate must have a strong attention to detail and strong organizational skills including the ability to multitask between projects.  Accounting and administrative experience is preferred.  Must be a team player who enjoys working in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. You must be open to taking on new challenges, embracing the company culture, and building strong cross-functional relationships and trust.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

• Manages Quality Control Review and Design Approval submission to Licensing Agencies to ensure all items are Licensor approved prior to production. 
• Serves as a liaison to internal Art, PD and Operations teams.  Develops strong relationships with external Licensors and internal cross functional departments. 
• Review designs and design names for copyright and trademark clearance as well as adherence to licensor guidelines.  Determines if designs require legal review of phrases, copyrights and other IP.   Review player rosters.
• Maintains Artwork Tracking program to ensure designs follow appropriate submission, approval or rejection stages of art through production process.  Reviews and interprets Licensor correspondence for communication of requirements, changes to products.  Publish licensing changes to our Operations, Product Development teams and external sublicensing and subcontractor partners.
• Request and submit Licensor samples pursuant to license requirement.  Review for accuracy and aesthetic prior to submission to Licensors. 
• Monitor graphic image library accessed by Operations and Sales personnel to ensure Approved images are accurate.  Routinely audits library and archives discontinued designs. 
• Use BI data to analyze and drive decision making around on time delivery performance as well as manage Licensing functions.  Routinely audits products in the Licensor Approval process to ensure speed to market as well as ensures items are coded appropriately. 
• Reviews product set up to ensure items are coded accurately and communicates all discrepancies to appropriate department.   Reviews art record assignment to ensure status, version and materials are properly set.   Safeguards confidential materials and products. 
• Maintains Trademark and Logo Asset databases with licensor changes, new logos, trademark use and all correspondence.  
• Assist Licensing Manager with applications, renewals, royalty reporting and quality control review as determined by Licensing Manager.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TEAM:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, although not a requirement, or work experience, 2+ years of equivalent licensing experience preferred.
• Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills
• Microstrategy or other data querying tool experience required
• Licensed sports industry knowledge and/or experience highly desired
• Strong critical thinking skills to enable navigating challenges and implementing practical solution
• Apparel manufacturing knowledge and/or experience desired
• Strong organizational and process improvement skills
• Strong professional communication skills including the ability to work in a team environment; solid written and verbal communicator
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize workload, adapt to change and maintain composure under pressure
• Strong systems learner
• Positive attitude with flexibility and adapts quickly to change
• Highly motivated to seek solutions

At Fanatics, we value transparency and honesty. If you don’t meet every single requirement, that’s okay – we still want to hear from you! We believe in the power of diverse experiences and talents. If you’re excited about the role and confident that you can contribute, don’t hesitate to apply. We’re genuinely interested in how your unique skills and perspective can help us build something amazing together.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Culture: Join a team where you're surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you’ll be empowered to help shape a our culture that celebrates both individual and team successes. 
• Benefits: We provide a wide range of health, financial, legal, and development assistance, including wellness programs with fitness and weight management partners, paid maternity paternity leave, and infertility treatment. Additionally, we offer flexible time off to help you recharge, along with a competitive 401k plan to support your financial future. At Fanatics, we’re dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life.

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally. 

Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.

Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:
· Build Championship Teams
· Obsessed with Fans
· Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
· Determined and Relentless Mindset