Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH
posted 4 months ago
The Senior Director of Technology Transfer Operations at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) plays a pivotal role in advancing the university's research commercialization goals. This position operates independently and is part of the senior research and technology management staff. The Senior Director will work closely with the Executive Director for Technology Transfer to oversee operational functions and performance, which includes direct management of the administrative staff. The role involves identifying and executing operational strategic initiatives and directing all compliance matters, both internal and external, related to federal, state, non-profit, and industrial obligations tied to intellectual property. The Senior Director is expected to maintain and continually seek to improve the commercialization operations of the technology transfer office, ensuring sound compliance management and financial decisions are implemented effectively. In this role, the Senior Director will advance the university's research commercialization goals by integrating the Technology Transfer Office's (TTO) investment portfolio tracking with various programs such as the Council to Advance Human Health, the Case-Coulter Translational Research Program, and the CWRU Technology Validation Fund. The Senior Director will collaborate with industry partners and internal stakeholders to develop and implement strategic operational initiatives aimed at enhancing services to faculty and staff, thereby improving CWRU's relationships with industry. Additionally, the Senior Director will design and run educational events for faculty, students, and staff focused on technology commercialization, including workshops in partnership with the Veale Institute. The Senior Director will also manage the licensing team's adherence to operational protocols related to the commercialization of technologies, ensuring best practices in intellectual property management are maintained. This includes overseeing expenditure justifications, compliance with government and sponsor requirements, and managing communications with faculty and management. The role requires providing high-level leadership and direction to the Executive Director, as well as managing potential conflicts and ambiguities related to CWRU's obligations under various agreements. Furthermore, the Senior Director will oversee the technology transfer office's compliance with federal reporting obligations and guidelines, ensuring adherence to the Bayh-Dole Act and other applicable laws and regulations. The position also entails designing processes and managing the workflow of the administrative staff, who are responsible for managing a complex intellectual property portfolio and ensuring accurate financial distributions. The Senior Director will be responsible for managing legal expenditures related to patenting and commercialization, ensuring alignment with the office's annual budget, and forecasting patent spending. This role is critical in ensuring that the technology transfer office operates efficiently and effectively, contributing to the university's mission of advancing research and innovation.