Director of Innovation and Commercialization (Technology Transfer) Position #89435

INTRODUCTION

The Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) is the University of Hawaiis technology transfer office. OIC stewards the Universitys intellectual property (IP) assets including patents copyrights and trademarks and advances research translation through compliant mission-aligned licensing and industry partnerships. OIC supports UH researchers staff and students to disclose inventions protect IP assess commercial potential and execute technology transfer transactions (e.g. options and licenses). OIC also serves as an industry gateway by facilitating connections between UH innovators and external partners for licensing sponsored research collaborations and other forms of research translation. Entrepreneurship and startup development programs are co-developed with other OVPRI offices and statewide partners; the OIC Director ensures IP/licensing alignment clear handoffs and consistent policies across these programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership for UHs technology transfer program including invention disclosure intake evaluation IP protection strategy marketing licensing and post-execution agreement management.

• Establish and continuously improve end-to-end processes and review structures to identify and evaluate UH inventions and other IP for protection and commercialization using transparent criteria.

• Oversee management of UHs IP portfolio including selection and supervision of outside counsel; patent prosecution strategy and budgeting; docketing; and maintenance of patents trademarks and copyrights.

• Lead technology marketing and partnering to identify engage and qualify potential licensees and collaborators; represent UH technologies to external audiences in a professional data-informed manner.

• Negotiate and execute technology transfer agreements (e.g. options licenses inter-institutional and assignment agreements) and coordinate with UH counsel and other administrative units as needed.

• Coordinate with relevant OVPRI/UH offices to support consistent compliant use of research-related agreements (e.g. confidentiality material transfer and data use) and alignment of IP terms across sponsored research and collaboration activities.

• Ensure compliance with applicable requirements governing university IP and commercialization (including Bayh-Dole and sponsor terms) and oversee required reporting and documentation.

• Build and maintain strong relationships across UH campuses; provide training and guidance on invention disclosure publication timing and engagement with external parties.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for industry on licensing and technology partnership matters and coordinate corporate engagement with OVPRI/campus units consistent with UHs mission and research priorities.

• Partner with OVPRI and campus entrepreneurship/innovation programs to co-develop startup-related ecosystem components while keeping OICs core focus on IP licensing and technology transfer transactions.

• Plan coordinate and administer OIC operations (personnel budget contracting internal controls and customer service) and implement continuous improvement based on peer benchmarking and metrics.

• Work with UH leadership the Board of Regents and stakeholders to propose and implement updates to UH IP and commercialization policies and procedures aligned with best practices and institutional goals.

• Prepare and submit timely reports to State Ethics the Legislature and other relevant entities.

• Adhere to applicable laws regulations and policies and procedures of the University raise awareness among staff and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.

• Identify and mitigate through policy development/revision/enhancement and training areas of risk and developing risk to the University e.g. legal financial reputation and compliance risk and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.

• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the goals and purposes of the University of Hawaii.

LIST OF DIRECT REPORTS

• In accordance with the official organizational chart.

AUTHORITY AND DECISION-MAKING EXERCISED

• Work is performed under the general supervision of the UH Vice President for Research and Innovation with opportunities to exercise independent judgment and initiative as well as substantive decision-making under broad policy and general operational guidelines as set forth by the Board of Regents President and other University guidelines and applicable state and federal policies and guidelines.

DIRECTION AND REVIEW OF WORK RECEIVED

• Leadership and program results achieved are reviewed on a regular basis by the Vice President for Research and Innovation the President and state and federal agencies and/or external audits.

CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS

• The Director provides professional leadership and represents the Office of Innovation and Commercialization and UH in the local community nationally and internationally. The Directors responsibilities include extensive contact and dialogue with private companies corporations funding agencies and large public organizations as well as continual interaction with world-renowned researchers distinguished philanthropists foreign government representatives and others. The Directors duties also involve considerable contact with senior executives administrators the Board of Regents University of Hawaii Foundation managers legislators state executives and representatives of the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned Masters degree from an accredited university in the areas of life sciences physical sciences engineering or a closely related discipline (or a combination of relevant advanced degree and directly related experience).

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience leading or managing technology transfer intellectual property management and/or licensing activities in a university research organization government laboratory or technology-based enterprise.

• Demonstrated knowledge of IP concepts and practices (patents copyrights trademarks) including experience managing IP portfolios and/or patent prosecution with outside counsel.

• Demonstrated experience negotiating and executing complex agreements (e.g. licenses options inter-institutional agreements confidentiality agreements and other IP-related contracts).

• Working knowledge of applicable regulations and compliance requirements relevant to university technology transfer (e.g. Bayh-Dole sponsor reporting obligations and institutional policy frameworks).

• Ability to evaluate technologies for commercialization potential (market assessment competitive landscape value proposition) and to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated people leadership and operational management skills including building and mentoring teams setting priorities managing budgets improving processes and delivering high-quality customer service.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across a multi-campus multi-stakeholder environment; ability to manage sensitive matters and resolve conflict professionally.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to function successfully in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate or terminal degree (e.g. Ph.D. M.D.) in a relevant scientific/engineering discipline and/or J.D. with substantial experience in IP/licensing.

• Professional credentialing or formal training in technology transfer (e.g. Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) AUTM coursework).

• Direct experience leading a university technology transfer office or equivalent program at a major research organization including supervision of licensing professionals and management of external counsel.

• Experience developing and implementing institutional IP policies standard agreement templates and compliance workflows.

• Experience supporting industry partnerships and aligning sponsored research terms with IP/licensing objectives; familiarity with UH and its major research units and programs and/or knowledge of Hawaiis priority technology sectors.

To Apply:

Select the Apply button in the top right corner of the screen; first-time NeoGov users will need to create an account. Please ensure your application includes the following materials:

• Cover Letter:A letter detailing your interest and how you meet both the minimum and desirable qualifications. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date to be considered.
• Resume/CV:A current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
• Professional References:The names telephone numbers and email addresses of three (3) professional references.
• Unofficial Transcripts:Copies of unofficial transcripts are required for the application though official versions must be provided upon hire. Please note that copies of diplomas and academic summaries are not acceptable substitutes.
  • Foreign Credential Evaluation: For degrees earned outside the U.S. you must provide a course-by-course analysis and equivalency statement from a NACES-member agency at your own expense.

Important Note:To protect your privacy do not include any photos Social Security Numbers or dates of birth in your packet. Only the most recent application will be reviewed and all submitted materials become the property of the University of Hawaii. Please ensure all documents are complete and legible to be considered by the search committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Inquiries: Chad Walton

The University of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information visit: is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions criminal history record checks.

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Accommodation Request: The University of Hawaii complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information please refer to the following link: