Associate Director of Technology Commercialization

University of Oklahoma•Oklahoma City, OK

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Technology Commercialization is responsible for overseeing and enhancing the university's technology transfer, patent management, and licensing activities. This role combines operational leadership with strategic growth initiatives to expand commercialization opportunities, strengthen industry partnerships, and support faculty engagement.

Requirements

Masters degree in a relevant field (e.g., Biology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related discipline), AND: 5 year of related experience with at least 3 years within an academic environment.
Equivalency/Substitution: Experience or a combination of education and related experience can be considered in lieu of degree. A one-to-one ratio is used to determine the number of years of experience required in place of a degree.
Strong leadership and staff management skills.
Understanding of federal and state regulations affecting intellectual property, research, and commercialization activities.
Proven ability to develop and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated knowledge of scientific principles, technology transfer processes, and market dynamics to effectively bridge the gap between research innovation and commercial opportunity.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
Project management and organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.
Strategic thinker with a commitment to advancing innovation and economic development.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information related to intellectual property, licensing agreements, and research projects.
In-depth understanding of intellectual property law, patent processes, licensing, and technology commercialization.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and emerging opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to translate complex scientific and technical information into clear, market-relevant insights by leveraging strong collaboration skills with scientists and engineers to identify product applications and commercialization pathways.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary point of contact for university researchers, improving response times and facilitating smoother communication between inventors, legal counsel, and industry representatives
Assist the Director in managing daily operations of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), including supervising staff and ensuring consistent, efficient work flow across technology evaluation, patent management, and licensing activities
Translate complex scientific and technical data into clear, market-relevant language by collaborating with scientists and engineers to identify potential product applications and viable commercialization pathways
Oversee project pipelines to ensure timely execution of agreements and effective coordination among team members
Lead initiatives that expand commercialization opportunities, strengthen relationships with external partners, and enhance the university's reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship
Identify emerging markets and technologies for potential licensing and partnership development
Collaborate with senior leadership to implement strategic goals that align with institutional priorities
Promote awareness of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) services and intellectual property processes among faculty and research staff
Support the Director in ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
Maintain accurate internal and external reporting on licensing activity, invention disclosures, patents, and revenue
Work closely with legal and compliance teams to uphold intellectual property standards and best practices
Provide leadership stability and operational continuity within the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) during periods of transition or expansion
Mentor junior staff and contribute to developing a high-performing, collaborative team environment
Negotiate, execute, and manage licensing agreements, renewals, and amendments in coordination with university policies.
Maintain strong relationships with licensees, ensuring compliance with contract terms and monitoring financial performance
Collaborate with finance, legal, and research offices to support royalty tracking, reporting, and audit processes
Monitor industry trends and identify new areas for commercialization and partnership development
Evaluate and analyze new invention disclosures by conducting initial reviews, meeting with key stakeholders, identifying and engaging industry reviewers, and distributing relevant materials this includes collecting feedback, assess findings, and provide necessary notifications and recommendations
Performs other duties as assigned