Intellectual Property Manager

Intellectual Property Manager

The Intellectual Property Manager reports to the Director of Intellectual Property in the Books Division of the University of Chicago Press. The IP Manager provides support for the acquisition and publication of new content in the Books and Journals Divisions, assists the Director of Intellectual Property with audio rights strategy and licensing, and oversees the work of the Copyright and Permissions Coordinator, which includes the processing of permissions requests for re-use of the Press's books and journals content and registering copyright for all Press publications. These activities enhance the global presence and impact of the Press and its authors and make key contributions to the Press's income. The position is based on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus and location in the Chicago area is required.

Responsibilities

• Drafts and issues all original book publication and series contracts as well as amendments, cancellations, subsidy agreements, and specialized contributor agreements.
• Assists the International Rights Manager with the acquisition of translation rights, including process tracking and submitting advance payment requests.
• Assists the Paperbacks Editor with the management of backlist reprint title renewals, including process tracking, data management, and reviewing renewal agreements proposed by licensor.
• Maintains and updates contracts and permissions templates and boilerplate language on an ongoing basis in accordance with evolving trends in intellectual property and industry best practices.
• Maintains contracts, rights, and permissions data in Press databases.
• Maintains the digital archive of legal documents related to Press books content.
• Acts as a liaison to other Press departments to help facilitate the publishing process, especially consulting on 3rd party permissions issues.
• Reviews and negotiates modifications to serial licensing agreements proposed by third parties.
• Receives and assesses internal requests to use materials from Books Division titles for publicity, marketing, and production purposes.
• Serves as a liaison to publishers, agents, authors, and the general public regarding Press IP.
• Analyzes publication agreements and assesses rights held by the Press in order to make independent decisions regarding future use or re-use of Press IP.
• Provides training and guidance to Publishers, Managing Editors, and other journals staff on questions pertaining to 3rd party permissions issues.
• Maintains a digital archive of legal documents related to journal acquisitions and licensing agreements.
• Trains and supervises the Permissions & Copyright Coordinator and student assistants, oversees the Coordinator's work evaluating and granting third-party permissions requests and filing for copyright registration, ensuring compliance with Press policies and governmental requirements, and providing guidance to enhance decision-making accuracy and efficiency.
• Analyzes permissions activity to help determine updates to fee structures and identify opportunities to increase process efficiency.
• Ensures that best-practice documentation used by the Coordinator and assistants is kept up to date as legal and organizational factors change.
• Devises improvements to departmental workflows and implements technology solutions to improve efficiency on an ongoing basis including representing the IP dept in interdepartmental groups dedicated to on-going development projects, and attending meetings with IT department when necessary.
• Contributes to setting the Press's intellectual property policies and ensures that procedures are implemented in regard to publication agreements, licensing agreements, 3rd party permissions, and re-use of Press content.
• Additional office and clerical functions as needed.
• Works closely with the IP Director on audio rights licensing and manages relationships with a portfolio of audio publishers for Press Books titles, including fielding inquiries and offers, negotiating terms, and developing template agreements.
• Communicates and coordinates with stakeholders to effectuate audio book licensing, approvals, advance / file fee payment, and production.
• Develops and / or maintains audio strategy spreadsheets for tracking front- and backlist audio book production options and workflows.
• Coordinate all stages of manuscript editing and proof review up to the time the book is bound and edit and approve catalog and jacket materials with guidance from others.
• Edits books, journals, or other written materials with some guidance from others. Establishes editing schedules.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Competencies

Working Conditions

Application Documents

When applying, the documents MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.