Collectors is the leading creator of innovative technology that provides value-added services for collectors worldwide. We authenticate, grade, and vault millions of record-setting collectibles, all while modernizing and digitalizing the process to further our mission of helping collectors pursue their passion. We’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our growing team.

Our services span collectible coins, trading cards, Funko Pops!, video games, event tickets, autographs, and game-used memorabilia. Our subsidiaries include PSA, PCGS, WATA, Card Ladder, and the Long Beach Expo collectibles trade show.

Since our founding in 1986, we have authenticated and graded millions of items. We employ more than 1,700 people across our headquarters in Santa Ana and offices in Jersey City, Seattle, Hong Kong, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

We’re looking for an experienced Brand Protection Specialist to help provide investigative support and services for the Collectors Brand Protection team in our Santa Ana headquarters and other locations for the purpose combating and/or thwarting fraudulent activity in the hobby and helping safeguard the reputation of Collectors’ various brands to ensure they continue to maintain their strong brand value, consumer loyalty, and market position in the collectibles categories they serve. 

As a Brand Protection Specialist you will monitor and enforce trademark and copyright laws, identify and take action against counterfeit products found in both domestic and international markets for all of Collectors’ brands, manage online brand reputation, collaborate with legal teams, and aid in the development and implementation of strategies to protect the various brands. Additionally, we are seeking a Brand Protection Specialist who will review and actively improve upon our existing brand protection training material/course and also be responsible for delivering training to employees across our multiple locations as well as key partners as needed. This position is expected to work independently, with limited supervision, leveraging investigative and intelligence collection skills and building a strong support network both internally and externally.

You will report to the Collectors Chief of Staff and work onsite, full-time from our Santa Ana, CA, office with occasional travel to all of our existing locations, domestic and abroad. 

What You’ll Do: 

• Actively monitor, identify, and take action against instances of brand misuse and infringement risk, including the selling/manufacturing of counterfeit products, trademark infringement, and intellectual property violations.
• Perform proactive and reactive investigations into the selling/manufacturing of counterfeit parts and other hobby-related fraudulent activity within the collectibles market.
• Demonstrate investigative excellence and develop facts to support winning cases working with law enforcement, customs, outside investigators, legal counsel, customers, internal stakeholders, and provide testimony in legal proceedings as required.
• Closely manage relationships with external partners across our industry and law enforcement.
• Record trademarks/copyrights with all relevant authorities.
• Prepare Cease and Desist letters and actions such as UDRPs, with help from the wider team as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the legal department and work closely with other cross-functional business teams to identify and mitigate risks to the brand's reputation and ensure that the company's intellectual property assets are enforced.
• Collaborate with customer-facing teams to respond to and resolve customer inquiries, reports and/or open cases pertaining to counterfeit detection, brand misuse or other IP infringements.
• Develop and deliver brand protection training to employees and partners, private investigative groups, local law enforcement, and customs agencies on counterfeit identification and control.
• Actively support internal efforts involving departments and/or teams whose responsibility is to determine the authenticity of the physical product.
• Build and maintain regular reports that highlight statistics, key trends, and work streams for key internal collaborators.
• Identifying emerging brand risks/vulnerabilities and developing/communicating appropriate mitigating controls to key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with and advise our Operations engineering team on projects pertaining to the security of the physical product.
• Aid in the development and implementation of an effective brand protection strategy for all Collectors brands. 

Who You Are: 

• BA/BS degree or equivalent required; ideally specializing in law, criminal justice, business, marketing, or a related field.
• Possess Brand Protection Professional Certification (BPPC), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), or other relevant, professional certification is a plus, but not required. 
• Experience in intellectual property enforcement, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade dress.
• Detailed knowledge of investigative rules and techniques, proper procedure, and chain of custody with a focus on documentation and experience in preparing for, and testifying in, Local/State/Federal Court. 
• Excellent analytical skills and broad experience documenting investigations with the ability to think outside the box, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience conducting risk analyses, vulnerability and gap assessments, and preparing recommendations for leadership and business partners.
• Communicates clearly, effectively, and professionally with others both verbally and in writing.
• Possess basic understanding of the collectibles industry.
• Familiar with Collectors’ wide array of services and products.
• Well-versed in the various online marketplaces, e-commerce sites, and social media platforms.

Salary Range: 

The salary range for this position is $57,920-$94,035. Actual compensation on this range varies based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including location, job level, experience, and skill set.

Reasons To Join Us: 

• Health Insurance: All full-time employees are eligible to enroll in Medical, Dental, and Vision 
• Additional Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for fertility, commuter, and educational assistance benefits.
• 401(K) Matching Plan: We are proud to offer a competitive 401k matching plan to our employees to support their future financial goals 
• Vacation: All salaried employees are eligible for flexible time-off.
• Holiday Pay: All regular, full-time employees are eligible for ten company paid holidays 
• Employee Discounts: Employees receive discounts on select grading services for approved submissions 
• Fun Working Environment: Our team members are invited to participate in celebrations, holiday events, and team building activities 

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