Consumer Products Licensing & Brand Protection Manager

SUMMARY

Functions as the strategic lead for Subaru's consumer product licensing programs, brand protection, and trademark protection, with responsibility for program strategy, governance, cross-functional alignment, and performance. Safeguards the authorized use of Subaru trademarks, logos, and other intellectual property (IP) across internal and external channels while leading online brand enforcement, anti-counterfeiting efforts, licensing growth, category expansion, and partner oversight to protect brand integrity, reduce risk, expand Subaru brand awareness, strengthen positive brand image, and deliver measurable business value through incremental revenue and profit generation. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the strategic steward of Subaru brand assets, setting priorities and governance to ensure consistent, compliant use of trademarks, logos, and related intellectual property (IP) across Subaru of America (SOA), retailers, licensees, agencies, and external partners.

• Leads the growth strategy for SOA’s consumer products licensing program, including category planning; portfolio and pipeline management; opportunity assessment; business case development; and alignment with brand, customer, and revenue objectives. Works closely with Subaru's parent company (Subaru Corporation [SBR]) in Japan on coordination and alignment with all brand licensing functions.
• Develops and leads trademark protection, online brand enforcement, and anti-counterfeiting strategies to identify, investigate, escalate, and address unauthorized, infringing, and counterfeit uses of Subaru IP in partnership with SOA Legal, internal stakeholders, and external vendors.
• Leads Subaru’s online brand protection vendor strategy and relationship management, including priority setting, service-level oversight, performance evaluation, and reporting against key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Manages Subaru’s brand registry administration and marketplace enforcement programs across key e-commerce platforms, including approvals, notice-and-takedown activity, unauthorized seller escalation, enforcement workflows, and risk-based decision-making.
• Sources, evaluates, and leads or supports the negotiation and execution of licensing agreements with new and existing licensees in partnership with SOA Legal and internal stakeholders, including business terms, category scope, quality requirements, royalty considerations, and brand-use protections.
• Reviews and approves licensed product concepts, promotional merchandise, designs, and asset use to ensure compliance with Subaru brand standards, style guide requirements, product quality expectations, and IP protections.
• Oversees licensing program operations and performance, including licensee management, product approvals, systems and tools, asset distribution, royalty reporting, compliance coordination, audit support, forecasting, launch readiness, and overall administration of the program, including Subaru Gear.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees internal SOA use of trademarks, logos, and other brand assets for promotional merchandise, employee programs, and events, and provides brand-use guidance, approvals, and recommendations as needed.

• Provides guidance to Subaru employees, retailers, owners, and owner groups on trademark use, brand standards, style guide compliance, and corrective action related to unauthorized or non-compliant asset use.
• Coordinates and oversees agencies, investigators, contractors, and other vendors supporting brand protection, trademark enforcement, licensing operations, and related program initiatives.
• Provides day-to-day direction to an intern or temporary/contract resource supporting brand protection, licensed merchandise, and licensing program projects, including task assignment, progress monitoring, and quality review.
• Prepares and delivers reports and presentations on licensing performance, royalty trends, enforcement results, collaboration opportunities, and category expansion to management and cross-functional stakeholders.

REQUIRED SKILLS & PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across internal stakeholders, licensees, legal partners, retailers, agencies, and external vendors.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey brand standards, licensing requirements, intellectual property (IP) considerations, business recommendations, and program updates to a range of audiences, including management.
• Strong ability to work effectively with Subaru's parent company (Subaru Corporation [SBR]), with an understanding of Japanese business culture.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to assess risk, interpret performance and royalty data, identify trends, prioritize opportunities, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Strong project and program management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and workstreams in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Business and financial acumen, including experience supporting business cases, evaluating commercial opportunities, and understanding the financial drivers of licensing, partnerships, and revenue performance.
• Strong attention to detail and sound judgment when reviewing creative assets, product submissions, contracts, royalty-related materials, and enforcement matters.
• Working knowledge of trademark, copyright, licensing, IP protection, and brand-use principles as applied to consumer products, promotional merchandise, marketing materials, and e-commerce channels.
• Experience managing or supporting consumer products licensing programs, licensee relationships, contract-related workflows, product approval processes, and royalty reporting or compliance activities.
• Familiarity with online brand enforcement, e-commerce marketplace tools, brand registry programs, notice-and-takedown processes, anti-counterfeiting practices, and performance reporting.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, take ownership of initiatives, lead through influence in a matrixed organization, exercise sound judgment, and keep management and stakeholders appropriately informed.
• Experience in automotive, consumer products, retail, or other brand-driven environments with complex trademark, product approval, and partner management requirements preferred
• Experience developing or scaling consumer products licensing programs, including category expansion, partner sourcing, and performance management preferred
• Experience working with external enforcement vendors, outside counsel, agencies, or marketplace platforms on trademark protection, infringement response, and anti-counterfeiting matters preferred
• Familiarity with licensing management systems, royalty reporting tools, rights management workflows, or related operational platforms preferred
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed organization, lead cross-functional initiatives, and translate market or performance insights into business recommendations preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word, required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree with 6-8 years of work experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE 

• Office Location: Camden, NJ apart of the Greater Philadelphia Area (Philly)

• Hybrid Role: Hybrid Role - Remote work 2 days per week (after 90 days) [Wednesdays & Fridays]

• Travel: 15% Internal and Domestic

COMPENSATION: The recruiting base salary range for this full-time position is $115,000 - $140,000 / year. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Additionally, this role is bonus-eligible, with a target bonus percentage that provides an opportunity to earn even more based on your performance. (Internal Job Grade: M1) 

WHY JOIN US? In addition to competitive salary, Subaru offers an amazing benefits package that includes:

   Total Rewards & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans

• Pension, Profit Sharing, and 401K Match Offerings

• 15 Vacation days, 5 Floating Holidays, 5 Sick days, and 9 Company Holidays

• Tuition Reimbursement Program: $15,000 yearly benefit

• Vehicle Discount Programs

   Learning & Development:

• Professional growth and development opportunities

• Direct partnership with senior leadership

• Formal Mentorship Program

• LinkedIn Learning License 

   Visit our careers landing page for additional information about our compensation and benefit programs.

ABOUT SUBARU

Love. It’s what makes Subaru, Subaru®. As a leading auto brand in the US, we strive to be More Than a Car Company®. Subaru believes in being a positive force in the communities in which we live and work, not just with donations but with actions that set an example for others to follow. That’s what we call our Subaru Love Promise®.

Subaru is a globally renowned automobile manufacturer known for its commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability. With a rich history dating back to 1953, Subaru has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering to deliver vehicles that offer not only exceptional performance but also a unique blend of utility and adventure.

Subaru's company culture is built on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for our product. We foster an inclusive environment that encourages employees to bring their unique perspectives and talents to the table. Our team members are driven by a common goal: to create exceptional vehicles that inspire and delight our customers.