Brand Protection Coordinator

About Smiley

As one of the world’s top award-winning 100 licensors, The Smiley Company works with over 260 licensees and best-in-class retail partners globally, to launch the iconic Smiley brands across fashion, home and entertainment sectors. We are a collective of fun-loving people with a passion for creating and storytelling. As part of our commitment to diversity, we cultivate a workplace of learning and inclusiveness. For nearly 50 years, Smiley has shaped the way, sharing optimism and happiness, expressing itself through iconic and creative products. Today, Smiley has become more than just an icon, Smiley is a brand and a lifestyle, reminding people just how powerful a smile can be.

About the role

The Brand Protection Manager is responsible for protecting Smiley’s intellectual property (IP) assets and ensuring the value, and reputation of its brands across global markets. This role leads efforts to detect, investigate, and enforce against IP infringements (both online and offline) while identifying opportunities to monetize and maximize the commercial value of the Smiley's brand rights.

Key Responsibilities

• Help to develop and execute Smiley's brand protection strategy to combat counterfeiting, unauthorized distribution, and IP misuse.
• Coordinate global enforcement programs in collaboration with external counsels, law enforcement authorities, and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor and oversee takedown actions on marketplaces, social media sites, websites, app stores, search engines for infringements in violation of Smiley’ intellectual property rights.
• Coordinate online BP service providers and help to define KPIs;
• Coordinate civil and criminal enforcement actions, including cease-and-desist letters, seizures, and litigation support.
• Track enforcement results and analyse trends.
• Identify opportunities to monetize brand rights through settlements, licensing, and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with business to turn enforcement outcomes into value-generating initiatives.
• Evaluate potential ROI from enforcement actions and support the creation of revenue streams linked to IP rights.
• Support cross-functional teams in the commercial exploitation of IP portfolios.
• Work closely with the IP team to strengthen global trademark portfolios and brand registrations.
• Advise internal teams on brand usage.
• Provide data-driven insights and reports to leadership on brand protection metrics and financial impact.
• Maintain accurate enforcement records and data. Collect and analyse data to identify infringement trends and develop enforcement strategies.
• Manage relationships with customs authorities, police agents, and online platforms around the world to facilitate successful enforcement.
• Represent the company in industry associations, IP networks, conventions, cross-brand collaborations to strengthen global IP protection initiatives

Key Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, Intellectual Property
• 5 years of experience in brand protection, IP enforcement, or anti-counterfeiting
• Fluent in English. Chinese is a plus
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Analytical mindset with the ability to assess commercial impact and ROI of enforcement and monetization activities.
• Proficiency with brand monitoring and online enforcement tools
• Strong interest in online brand protection and/or intellectual property
• Excellent interpersonal, communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to a strategic approach to tackling challenges
• Strong data analytical skills
• Hardworking and self-motivated individual, with a proactive and can-do attitude
• Energetic and flexible, with the ability to work in a fast-growing, agile, adaptable environment
• Bring a positive and optimistic attitude to your day-to-day work with colleagues
• Tech savvy

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive base Salary
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Pension scheme
• WFH Fridays
• Access to Perkbox and health insurance