Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Commercialization, the Associate Director will provide high level management and advising for a comprehensive intellectual property program for the campus within engineering and physical sciences. The Associate Director will exercise maximum initiative and sound leadership within the parameters of the department and university policies and regulations to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) and will develop and determine innovative solutions and implement actions to resolve issues. The Associate Director will represent the Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Commercialization in the review and approval of selected business arrangements and agreements, execute business agreements in accordance with delegated authority, represent the office and the campus at professional meetings, technology trade conferences, and investment and economic development meetings and events, and provides high level support to the AVC in organizing and optimizing the general commercialization activities of OIC. The Associate Director provides leadership, strategic oversight, and guidance through supervision, training, and mentorship of a team of professional commercialization staff. Works closely with the AVC to set the strategic direction of the commercialization process for the University.

The Associate Director has the full scope of responsibilities for identifying and negotiating agreements, licensees, contracts, and evaluating portfolio inventions in various stages of development. The incumbent will serve as a liaison for faculty and staff across all UC San Diego offices, in addition to serving as secondary liaison to Campus Counsel and the Office of the President to ensure compliance, enforcement and implementation of University-wide and campus policies. Extensive interaction is required with campus researchers, senior campus administrators, potential licensees, patent and contract attorneys, industrial scientists, senior business development executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. The Associate Director will oversee the educational and service programs provided to the campus community and relating to intellectual property issues and awareness, and technology commercialization.

This position will work a hybrid schedule which includes a combination of working both onsite at Campus and remote.

• Bachelor's degree in related area. Advanced degree preferred.

• Ten years experience in technology licensing as evidenced by negotiated contracts with major engineering and physical science companies and startup companies.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate mutually beneficial intellectual property agreements that are compliant with relevant policies and laws. Good negotiation skills to obtain reasonable license terms and conditions while maintaining the university's long-term relationship with industry.

• Hands-on experience or additional degrees in business (especially in marketing or market valuation) and/or Law (business, contract, and intellectual property) or combination. Competent in communicating, drafting and reading of legal language in various contracts and other document.

• In-depth understanding of national and international developments in the management of IP license and related agreements.

• Ability to clearly communicate matters of policy, law and science to multiple constituencies. Demonstrated ability and leadership skills to interpret policy and advise leadership and staff to ensure compliance with UC-wide and campus policies.

• Ability to manage diverse staff.  Demonstrated effective managerial, supervisory, leadership and communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other University and System offices. Demonstrated ability to interact with UC San Diego researchers and potential licensees from the industry.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently.  Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Experience and skills to oversee a full and growing portfolio of diverse UC San Diego innovations.

• Ability to generate pro forma estimates of equity holdings / evaluations.

• Experience and skills in visualizing potential practical utilities of new discoveries and results of scientific investigations. Advanced skills in bridging research and applied uses of its results.

• Extensive experience working in academic and/or industrial settings.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality in all areas of responsibility.

• Experience in developing and implementing effective training, informational and educational programs and materials that promote understanding and compliance.

• Demonstrated skills in technical writing.

• Demonstrated high level skill in assessing needs and developing strategies to support diversity and inclusion.

• Proven ability to provide effective leadership in a diverse, ever-changing, and unpredictable environment.

• Demonstrated skill in developing and managing strategic initiatives. 

  SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on a background check.

• This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.