Senior Director of Technology Transfer Operations

Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH

Full-time - Senior

Remote - Cleveland, OH

Educational Services

About the position

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.

Responsibilities

• Advance the university's research commercialization goals through integration of the TTO's investment portfolio tracking with various programs.
• Work closely with industry partners and internal stakeholders to identify, develop, and implement strategic operational initiatives.
• Design and run campus educational events directed at faculty, student, and staff training on technology commercialization.
• Manage the licensing team's adherence to operational protocols related to commercialization of technologies.
• Ensure best intellectual property management and commercialization practices are maintained and executed.
• Define and evaluate strategic alternatives through the development of financial models and reports.
• Provide high-level leadership and direction to the Executive Director both internally and externally.
• Design and execute processes directed at the coordination of CWRU's affiliation agreements with area hospitals.
• Oversee adherence to federal reporting obligations and guidelines of the Bayh-Dole act.
• Manage the workflow to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Design process, manage workflow, and manage performance of the administrative staff.
• Ensure legal expenditures related to patenting and commercialization align with the annual budget for the office.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of business-related experience.
• 6 or more years of experience in or with academia.
• Knowledge of and experience in commercial new-product development and/or technology transfer programs in industry or university settings is highly desirable.
• MBA required.
• Exemplary social skills and personal maturity.
• Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, marketing, selling, organizational, communications, negotiating, and planning skills.
• Ability to concurrently manage multiple diverse projects.
• Creativity and problem-solving capabilities; perseverance to get things done to high standards.
• High energy and stamina to remain effective under stress and in long-drawn-out projects.
• Ability to work under pressure, pay attention to detail, and meet inflexible deadlines.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with technology licensing processes and new company formation processes.
• Familiarity with patent and copyright laws and methods of intellectual property protection.
• Knowledge of government laws and regulations related to technology transfer.

Benefits

• Hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department.
• Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.
• Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.