Associate Director, Technology Licensing

University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

9d • $110,907 - $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Pennsylvania, a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation, is seeking an Associate Director, Technology Licensing to join its Technology Transfer Office (TTO). This role involves proactively developing and sustaining strong working relationships with faculty and researchers to identify technologies with commercial potential. The Associate Director will evaluate technology disclosures, recommend patent protection strategies, and present these recommendations at Patent Investment Meetings. Key responsibilities include identifying and engaging with potential industry partners and investors, performing due diligence, conducting technology valuations, and leading the negotiation of licensing and option agreements. The role also involves developing commercialization strategies, preparing marketing materials, and participating in outreach activities to educate the university community about technology commercialization. Additionally, the Associate Director will provide mentoring to junior staff.

Requirements

• Master's and 5-7 years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required; PhD and 3-5 years of relevant work experience in a life science field strongly preferred.
• Understanding of research environment, preferably in higher education
• Excellent customer service skills; excellent oral and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

• PhD and 3-5 years of relevant work experience in a life science field strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Proactively develop, lead, and sustain strong working relationships with faculty and researchers in targeted PSOM departments. Meet regularly with investigators to discuss ongoing research and identify technologies with commercial potential, serving as the primary PCI point of contact for assigned investigators and/or departments.
• Evaluate assigned technology disclosures to determine their commercial potential and to develop and recommend well‑articulated, diligently justified “go/no‑go” decisions regarding whether to pursue patent protection. Present and support these recommendations, along with proposed IP and commercialization strategies, at weekly Patent Investment Meetings (PIM).
• Identify and actively engage with potential industry partners and investors; perform due diligence on prospective commercial partners and conduct technology valuation to inform deal strategy and structure. Initiate and lead the negotiation of licensing and option agreements, and assist with sponsored research and other research‑related agreements with commercial entities, as required. Be responsive to the needs of key internal and external PCI clients and help manage relationships with company partners following agreement execution.
• Develop commercialization strategies for assigned technologies and technology portfolios, including assessment of market need, commercial potential, competitive landscape, and appropriate commercialization pathways. Perform market analysis to identify commercial opportunities, including identification of and outreach to targeted commercial partners and investors. Prepare non‑confidential marketing materials for assigned technologies, with the assistance of PCI’s Marketing, Communications and Programs (MCP) team, as appropriate
• Participate in outreach activities to engage and educate PSOM faculty, researchers, and trainees about technology commercialization pathways and PCI resources. Help plan and deliver seminars, workshops, and events, and support programs designed to promote engagement with corporate partners and increase awareness of opportunities to work more closely with Penn and PCI.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to junior TLOs and other trainees.

Benefits

• Excellent healthcare benefits for employees and their families
• Tuition benefits for employees and their families
• Generous retirement benefits
• Wide variety of professional development opportunities
• Supportive work and family benefits
• Wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
• Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care expenses
• Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn and other institutions
• Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with pre-tax or Roth basis options
• Substantial amount of time away from work (vacation, personal affairs, illness, family time)
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Wellness and Work-life Resources
• Professional and Personal Development resources
• Access to a wide range of University resources, cultural and recreational activities
• Discounts on arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, goods, and services
• Flexible work options (non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures)
• Penn Home Ownership Services (forgivable loan for eligible employees)
• Adoption Assistance (reimbursement for qualified expenses)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level