Sr. Manager, Intellectual Property Security

Overview

Welcome to Funko. Funko is a purveyor of pop culture and licensed-focused collectibles with thousands of licenses and one of the largest portfolios in the industry. Funko’s Pop! Vinyl is a leading stylized vinyl collectible line sold worldwide.

The Sr. Manager, Intellectual Property Security is responsible for confidential management of licensed assets used in intellectual property created, manufactured and distributed by Funko. The primary focus is preventing unauthorized access to products, related digital assets, and data provided to Funko by third-party licensors. This role works with the global licensing team, cross-functional business teams, the legal team, IS/IT, and external partners to ensure appropriate controls (process, training/awareness, monitoring, and technology) are in place across the lifecycle of licensor and product related data.

The ideal candidate has experience in a similar security role, with a specialization in protecting trade secrets and licensing-related data. The candidate should have experience investigating trade secrets and related IP infringements, and be comfortable in a rapidly changing, transformational environment. This is a highly visible, hands-on role that requires collaboration with internal partners and external vendors.

• Develop in-depth knowledge of Funko’s business model with a focus on licensing, product development and marketing to identify trade secrets and associated risk scenarios for licensed assets.
• Protect Funko and licensors’ product-related trade secrets and licensed IP from unauthorized distribution.
• Maintain a roadmap to deploy information security controls (process and technology) to mitigate licensing IP risk.
• Maintain relationships with major entertainment licensors’ security and legal teams to ensure aligned protection strategies.
• Establish and maintain relationships with third-party affiliates involved in enforcement activities.
• Support continuous improvement of safe selling techniques and processes with a focus on growing revenue.

• Maintain security controls for protecting trade secrets and confidential data, including digital assets, throughout the product life cycle.
• Maintain technical solutions to prevent unauthorized distribution of licensor and other confidential data.
• Coordinate with IT and Information Security teams to deploy technology solutions that mitigate licensing-related risks.
• Develop educational materials for employees, vendors and other key stakeholders on proper handling of licensed assets.
• Work with sales, marketing and sourcing teams to develop secure selling processes for sensitive third-party assets.

• Investigate unauthorized releases of product information and trade secret breaches related to IP violations.
• Partner with Legal on enforcement of IP violations.
• Manage crisis communications with affected licensors and stakeholders during security incidents.

• 7+ years of professional experience in IP protection, brand security or related field, with minimum 5 years in entertainment/licensing industry.
• Bachelor's Degree, MBA, and/or Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with major entertainment studios and/or licensing, retail, or wholesale consumer environments and related IP protection matters.
• Experience in developing technical data-protection solutions (e.g., DLP, digital watermarking).
• Experience evaluating, implementing, and supporting new applications and solutions.
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining trade secret programs across organizations.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills; experience working with external stakeholders in commercial relationships.
• Ability to manage large, complex projects and lead initiatives.
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure, highly self-motivated, and ownership mindset.
• Proven internal and external influencing skills at senior management levels.
• Maintains focus and persistence under adversity while maintaining stakeholder confidence.

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $121,…