Associate Director of Technology Transfer

Job Description

Syracuse University seeks a visionary and experienced Associate Director of Technology Transfer to support its technology commercialization enterprise. The Associate Director will assist the Executive Director with the University’s efforts to commercialize intellectual property (IP) and support the translation of university-owned innovations having meaningful societal and economic impact. The ideal candidate will bring significant university-based technology transfer experience, including patent procurement and management, drafting and negotiating licenses and other contracts, business and industry development related to faculty start-ups, and meaningful management skills. The Associate Director will handle the day-to-day operations of the Office of Technology Transfer and report directly to the Executive Director. Education and Experience

• JD or PhD in a STEM field, business, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in technology transfer, intellectual property, licensing, or university industry relations.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong understanding of US patent and technology commercialization law (e.g., Bayh-Dole), and current trends, policies and best practices affecting university technology transfer and commercialization.
• Proven experience identifying commercialization pathways and negotiating complex licensing and related agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and prioritize a diverse IP portfolio and market university technologies.
• Experience leading a tech transfer office or managing professional staff in a research university setting.
• Familiarity with federal funding mechanisms (e.g., SBIR/STTR), research compliance, and start up incubation.
• Experience with IP management software in metrics platforms (e.g., Inteum, Sophia, Wellspring).
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with faculty, legal counsel, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities Intellectual Property Procurement, Management and Licensing/Contracts:

• Manage the full IP lifecycle including invention disclosure procurement and assessment for commercial potential, patent prosecution, and licensing.
• Oversee IP portfolio strategy, prepare and assist with negotiation of complex technology transfer agreements in collaboration with Executive Director and other stakeholders.
• Evaluate market and commercialization pathways for university inventions developing marketing and deployment strategies for translating high-value technologies.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and General Counsel’s Office to prepare and negotiate a wide range of complex agreements, including inter-institutional agreements, license agreements, option agreements, material transfer agreements, and the like to facilitate effective technology commercialization.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and other stakeholders to develop and grow existing strategic relationships, both internally and externally, including other universities, industry partners, and other economic development ecosystem partners to translate technology across a variety of market sectors.

Compliance, Strategic Planning, Oversight and Metrics:

• Ensure technology transfer operations are compliant with applicable law and regulations.
• Manage day-to-day operations.
• Supervise one direct report, manage finances, including budgets and accounting, track KPI’s (e.g., disclosures, patents, revenue), ensure close collaboration with university stakeholders, including preparation of reports to the university leadership.
• Support development and revision of Office and university IP policies and protocols.
• Deliver high-quality service to faculty accelerating effective and efficient technology translation.

Industry Partnerships & External Outreach, Startup Support:

• The Associate Director has a pivotal role at the intersection of research, innovation, and faculty and industry engagement.
• Collaborate with university stakeholders to build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, investors, accelerators, and economic development organizations to facilitate licensing, sponsored research, and other collaborative opportunities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to provide support for startup formation, funding, and commercialization strategies for SU technologies.
• Promote SU innovations to external audiences.

Research Engagement:

• Actively engage faculty to identify innovations with commercial potential.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders (e.g., Innovation Law Center) to educate researchers on IP, commercialization, and university policies.
• Work with faculty to evaluate invention disclosures and assess their commercial potential and develop marketing and deployment strategies for translating technologies to market.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements Not Applicable Tools/Equipment Not Applicable