Executive Director, Intellectual Property

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks a dynamic and strategic Executive Director, Intellectual Property (EDIP) to lead the University’s intellectual property strategy, protection, and commercialization activities. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Brand Partnerships & Licensing, the Executive Director provides vision, leadership, and operational oversight for a broad range of intellectual property protection, licensing, and commercial development activities. The Executive Director will align intellectual property management with UTK’s institutional and athletic brand, corporate partnerships, and commercialization goals, ensuring that trademark, copyright and related creative works are translated into meaningful strategies, supporting efforts to expand and elevate our brand. The role sits at the intersection of business and brand advancement, requiring both technical expertise and collaborative leadership with key campus stakeholders.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) or advanced degree in business, intellectual property, technology (physical sciences, engineering, etc.), or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in intellectual property management, licensing, technology transfer, or related fields.
• 5+ years supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a complex academic, corporate or innovation-driven organization.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. intellectual property law and commercialization practice.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. intellectual property law and licensing methods.
• Proven experience negotiating and managing sophisticated intellectual property arrangements.
• Familiarity with brand licensing, corporate partnerships, athletics, or consumer-facing intellectual property programs.
• Strategic, integrative thinking across legal, brand, and partnerships
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented leadership style
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills
• High ethical standards and sound judgment
• Strong judgment, integrity, and communication skills
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and manage diverse stakeholder interests

Nice To Haves

• Experience at a university or within a corporate intellectual property division or firm is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive intellectual property strategy aligned with UTK’s mission, brand stewardship, athletic vision and partnership objectives.
• Lead the interpretation and application of UTK, UT System, state and federal intellectual property policies while actively participating in the identification, maintenance, and need for other policies.
• Advise senior leadership on risks, opportunities, and emerging trends affecting branding and commercialization.
• Oversee and evaluate brand-related intellectual property disclosures, protection strategies, prosecution, portfolio management, and maintenance, focusing primarily on trademarks and copyrights with some patent and/or trade secret support.
• Manage and direct relationships with outside counsel and service providers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable state, federal and collegiate regulations.
• Provide executive oversight of licensing, option, and commercialization agreements, including those connected to brand partnerships and strategic collaborations.
• Work closely with the Office of Brand Partnerships & Licensing and the Athletics Department to ensure consistency across campus assets.
• Collaborate with campus partners including research administration, corporate engagement, athletics, and advancement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to campus units on intellectual property and commercialization matters.
• Promote a culture of innovation and asset development through education, outreach, and training related to intellectual property, licensing, and entrepreneurship.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing intellectual property and licensing team.
• Work with the Director of Licensing to manage budgets, revenue distribution, and financial reporting related to their licensing activities and intellectual property initiatives.
• Establish performance metrics and reporting structures to assess impact and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• The university offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes health insurance and retirement plans through the State of Tennessee, generous annual and sick leave accruals, longevity pay, tuition waivers and discounts, and more.
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree