Licensing Approvals Coordinator @ Transformco (Sears Holdings)

Job Description

JOB SCOPE

Coordinates the day-to-day product approvals process and licensing administration for KCD brands, including Kenmore, DieHard, Sears, Thom McAn, Toughskins and other licensed brands. Supports licensed products from concept through production and launch by coordinating licensee submissions, brand reviews, compliance documentation and partner communications.

JOB SUMMARY

The Licensing Approvals Coordinator manages licensee submissions and maintains the records, communications and follow-up activities needed to support the licensing business. This role reviews product concepts, samples, packaging, marketing materials and digital assets for alignment with brand standards and contract requirements; coordinates stakeholder feedback; and tracks approvals through Brand Comply. The position also maintains licensee information, monitors contractual deliverables, supports royalty reporting and prepares partner materials. Working with licensees and internal Marketing, Product, Legal, Quality and Finance teams, the coordinator resolves submission issues, meets turnaround targets and supports consistent execution of licensing processes.

REPORTS TO

Licensing Director

Responsibilities/Skills/Experience Requirements

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the full approval workflow for licensee submissions, including product concepts, pre-production samples, final production, packaging, marketing materials and digital assets
• Reviews submissions against brand standards, style guides and contract terms; routes materials to appropriate stakeholders and provides licensees with clear, consolidated feedback
• Works with licensees to resolve submission issues in a timely manner and collaborates with Marketing and Product teams on brand and product direction
• Meets established approval turnaround targets, such as two business days, and maintains accurate submission status and approval records in Brand Comply
• Confirms appropriate logo usage, trademark notices, legal copy and product claims before approval sign-off
• Coordinates with Legal and Quality on safety certifications, testing documentation and applicable compliance requirements
• Onboards new licensees to the approvals process, maintains brand guidelines and submission templates, and trains licensees to use Brand Comply for approvals and royalty reporting
• Reports approval volumes, cycle times and process bottlenecks to licensing leadership
• Maintains the licensee database, including contacts, contract terms, territories, product categories, and renewal and expiration dates
• Tracks licensee compliance documents and contractual deliverables, including certificates of insurance, product liability coverage, testing and safety certifications, royalty reports, minimum guarantees and required marketing spend; collects proof of spend, follows up on renewals and escalates gaps
• Supports royalty reporting by collecting licensee statements and partnering with Finance on reconciliation
• Prepares presentations, brand books, sell sheets and partner materials for new business pitches
• Coordinates licensing summits, licensee and partner meetings, trade shows, team offsites and VIP events, including logistics, samples and follow-up activities
• Maintains organized, current contract files, meeting notes and action items
• Supports special projects and other coordination activities as needed by the licensing team
• Performs other duties as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Design or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least two years of experience in licensing, brand management, product development or a similar coordination role
• 18 years of age or older

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Exceptional attention to detail, including the ability to identify inconsistencies in logos, colors, trademark notices and submission documentation
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills, with the ability to manage numerous submissions, records and deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to work collaboratively with licensees and internal stakeholders and develop creative, practical solutions to submission and coordination issues
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills for providing consolidated feedback and coordinating with external partners
• Ability to review submissions against documented brand standards, style guides and contract requirements and coordinate issues with appropriate stakeholders
• Ability to maintain accurate databases, approval histories, contract records and compliance tracking information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including strong PowerPoint skills for preparing polished partner presentations and new business pitch materials

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Experience with Brand Comply strongly preferred; experience with other approval or rights management platforms is a plus
• Familiarity with consumer products, including appliances, automotive products, tools, apparel or footwear
• Working knowledge of licensing agreements, royalty reporting and trademark fundamentals
• Basic Adobe Creative Suite skills for reviewing artwork files