Tech Transfer Faculty Liaison Manager
Job#9886 - Tech Transfer Faculty Liaison Manager
OBJECTIVE
The Faculty Liaison Manager will have broad responsibilities in developing and managing services needed to provide high quality innovation processes to develop research goals and strategies, file invention disclosures, patent new technology, enter into licensing agreements, and provide service to faculty members. This position also involves providing strategic leadership and collaboration with the Research Administration Office, Office of General Counsel, academic departments, various deans, as well as providing effective liaison services between the Technology Transfer Office and university financial and administrative offices.
Case Western Reserve University is a leading research institution in the state of Ohio, annually securing over $5 million in revenue from commercialization of research and entering into more than 60 license agreements. One of the priorities within the Case Western Reserve University Technology Transfer Office is to significantly increase faculty involvement in commercialization of research to fulfill the mission of the university, to be a leading research institution the university’s mission to disseminate knowledge to the public via university-industry partnership and to impact the local and global community through translation of research into practical applications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Develop and manage services needed to provide high-quality innovation processes to develop research goals and strategies, invention disclosures, new technology patents, licensing agreements, and providing client services to faculty members. Develop and facilitate faculty training programs to help develop the skills needed to successfully engage industry (e.g. consultative selling, active listening, developing a pitch, negotiating) and implement with the extended sales team (corporate relations, TTO, researchers and select students). Work with university communication offices to publicize technology transfer-related opportunities and success stories both internally and externally. (45%)
- Meet with researchers on a regular basis to increase the capture of potential intellectual property, assist inventors with filing invention disclosures. Work with the Office for Entrepreneurship and Commercialization to support entrepreneurial faculty and provide resources for startups. Work with development offices within the university to meaningfully engage alumni and match alumni mentors with compatible boards and/or researchers. Contribute to growing a culture of technology transfer and entrepreneurship at Case Western Reserve University by partnering with other units to build experiential, educational, and/or networking events. Meet with university departments and faculty members to identify high-value targets for commercialization. Facilitate the definition of project missions, goals, tasks, and resource requirements. Lead planning and/or implementation of projects. Advise and consult on technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of commercialization. Match translational and commercialization resources with faculty technologies to provide additional resources needed to move closer to market. Resolve or assist in conflict resolution with and between projects or functional areas. Aid faculty members in identifying targets for commercialization outside of the university. Develop and maintain relationships with individuals interested in commercial development and new company formation based on university-created technologies (“start-ups”, “spin-offs”) and with potential investors, managers, partners, consultants, etc. who are or might be associated with such ventures. Facilitate such start-ups to the extent practical and compatible with policies and budgets. (35%)
- Manage each project from initiation through closure, including oversight of collaborations with research administration office, office of general counsel, academic departments, various deans, as well as providing effective communication between the Technology Transfer Office, Finance and Administration, Treasurer’s Office and the Controller’s Office. Manage a digital platform to provide real-time information to faculty and working across offices within Case Western Reserve University to provide a concierge service connecting faculty to available resources. Mentor, and provide ongoing support and reinforcement to faculty as needed. Anticipate consequences of action, potential problems or opportunities for change. Set and meet realistic deadlines. Forecast changes and communicate current and projected issues. Develop and implement a communication plan to ensure internal stakeholders are engaged, up-to-date, meeting deadlines and/or removing roadblocks. The communication plan should incorporate in-person meetings and leverage technology for “on-demand” updates. Convey goals and objectives clearly and in a compelling manner. Keep faculty members informed as to the status of their licensing and transfer agreements through in-person interactions and through the management of the interface for and data entry into faculty facing tracking module. (15%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)
CONTACTS
Department: Continuous contact with the Vice President for Research and Technology Management, and the entire professional and administrative staff to maintain workflow.
University: Use joint action and approvals to leverage existing resources on campus for technology development to provide faculty customer service. This may include: frequent interaction with faculty members, Office of General Counsel, deans/vice deans, Human Resources, Office of Sponsored Contracts, Controller’s Office, Corporate/Foundation Relations, Accounts Payable, and the Budget and Finance Office. Occasional contact with UTech.
External: Regular contact with patent attorneys, and Students: Continuous contact with and supervision of student employees of the Technology Transfer Office.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Advise and coordinate the activity of the Tech Transfer graduate student intern. Assist with the supervision of and coordination with all support positions and student employees.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 years of experience in a university setting.
Education: Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration or a technical discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Action oriented, conceptual thinker who can help bridge the world of academia and technology development in the intellectual property market while providing top-tier client service to faculty.
- Must possess ability for independent problem solving, critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Must have good mentorship, leadership, managerial and facilitation skills.
- Ability to work with highly confidential material.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks.
- Ability to remain calm and deal with high pressure situations diplomatically.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
- Must be organized with demonstrated ability to work with little to no supervision.
- Must possess ability to adapt to changes in an expanding Technology Transfer Office, including staff additions, increased workload in record keeping, reporting, and training.
- Knowledge of the business and legal aspects of technology transfer including market assessment, licensing, patents sufficient to advise in the process.
- Ability to collaborate with internal and external constituents.
TO APPLY
Visit https://case.edu/hr/careers. Job id: 9886