Senior Manager, Global Licensing Programs

Join the leader in collaborative licensing and help us advance inclusive and efficient new patent licensing approaches to drive innovation globally. Via Licensing Alliance is dedicated to accelerating global technology adoption, fostering participation, and generating return on innovation with balanced IP licensing solutions for innovators and manufacturers of all sizes around the globe. Via LA administers dozens of licensing programs in audio, video, broadcast, power, and more for a variety of technologies, consisting of 25,000 patents in over 130 countries, with nearly 100 current patent holders and over 3,000 current licensees.

Via LA is an independently managed company owned by industry-leading participants with over 25 years of intellectual property licensing leadership. Our expertise extends to intellectual property, technology standardization, strategic business development, and program administration. Affiliated specialists in the fields of finance, antitrust law, and patent analysis complete the set of capabilities that make Via LA a premier solutions provider to the world’s most sophisticated technology and entertainment companies.

What you’ll do

The Senior Manager, Global Licensing Programs role reports to the VP of Global Licensing Programs and is based in San Francisco, California. As Senior Manager of the team, you will be responsible for managing, organizing, and streamlining the operation of Via’s patent pools. This includes supporting the licensing program team by providing market data, research, and advanced analytics. This role will also be required to organize workflow, respond to clients, and think critically about the operation and direction of the patent pool. Significant software tool management skills in excel and Salesforce is required. Interpersonal, communication skills and the ability to timely execute are critical. The ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with clients and stakeholders within Via is necessary for success in the role. This senior-level hybrid role is based in Via’s headquarters in San Francisco, California, and is required to be in the office three days per week (Tues-Thurs)

You will:

• Work closely with Global Licensing Program team and leadership regarding new business development initiatives from inception to launch in addition to supporting current pool innovations by performing market research/coordinating with market research team, preparing presentations, attending business development meetings and participating in conferences and trade shows related to new patent pool businesses as well as outreach to both implementers and patent holders.

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  Collaborate with stakeholders to reach consensus on pool terms during the pool facilitation process for new pools as well as proposed revisions to active pools. Continue to manage patent holder participation and inquiries throughout the life of all pools.

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  Identify and work to attract and persuade new patent holders and implementors to join our patent pools.

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  Manage and process requests from potential or existing Licensors guiding them through the procedures to submit patents for evaluation of essentiality, tracking the status of the evaluations and working to get the licensing agreements in place (i.e., closing the deal).

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  Suggest and develop necessary collaterals related to Licensing Programs to support licensing out activities and the licensing team.

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  Manage Licensing program key performance indicators of licensing programs such as patent stack coverage, licensors participation, adoption of the license by Licensees.

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  Work closely with patent counsel in various initiatives to support pool growth.

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  Coordinate across departments to respond promptly to potential and current customer inquiries, both Licensor and Licensee, as applicable.

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  Organize operation of the patent pools through use of Salesforce and other business-related software implementation; drive execution of tasks related to patent pool initiatives.

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  Engage with clients and potential clients to grow patent pool participation.

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  Manage strategic technology, market, and business research for existing patent pools; evaluate prospective patent pool opportunities.

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  Act as a resource for other Via stakeholders regarding patent pool operation and ongoing initiatives.

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  Deliver appropriate work products, e.g., reports, summaries, and presentations to ensure that Program Management team, Via management and other external stakeholders are appropriately informed of program management development and initiatives.

What you need to succeed:

• Ability to develop, build, and track highly complex, multi-faceted, data-centric result-oriented business strategies, pipelines in the context of multilateral engagements such as patent pools or joint licensing programs.
  
  
• Interpersonal savvy, with the ability to interact effectively at all levels.
  
  
• Self-initiative and ability to work with a minimum of direction.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with strategic goals.
  
  
• Superior organization and complex project management skills.
  
  
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  
  
• Data-Driven: passionate about working with and utilizing data to drive decisions.
  
  
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Desired background:

• 10+ years of experience in program management and managing and coordinating multiple disparate complex projects to completion.
  
  
• Preferably 3+ years of experience in IP and licensing driven organizations, including experience in the legal field.
  
  
• Experience with reviewing legal documents.
  
  
• Experience in the tech industry, including but not limited to semiconductor, cellular, broadcast, and power technologies.
  
  
• Well-demonstrated skillset in data management tools (such as excel, Smartsheet, CRM systems such as Salesforce, etc.).

What you’ll love:

• Flexible work options (9/80 schedule) – employees in the U.S. get every other Friday off. That’s 26+ three-day weekends a year!

• Competitive compensation (base + bonus)

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions

• 401(k) with 50% company match on the first 6% of eligible pay you contribute on a pre-tax or Roth basis

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

• Generous holiday, vacation and sick leave

• Supportive maternity, child bonding, and family care leave programs as well as short and long-term disability benefits

• Programs and resources to support your physical, financial and social well-being

• Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates and retreat

• Catered weekly lunch + snacks and drinks when working in the office

• Temporary remote work option for qualified positions – employees can temporarily work remote from a location that is different from their designated office and home locations for up to 30 calendar days/20 workdays in any 12-month period with manager and company approval

• Tuition Reimbursement Program

The San Francisco/Bay Area base salary range for this full-time position is $170,000 – $234,000 and can vary if outside of this location. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, competencies, experience, market demands, internal parity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.