Associate Director, Business Development

The Senior Associate Director/ Deputy Director will be responsible for the review, prioritisation, commercialisation, and business development activities of NUS intellectual property (IP) in the Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI) Department. Specifically, the incumbent will strategise and drive business development and commercialisation efforts for NUS invention disclosures and IPs in the Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Information & Communication Technology domains. The incumbent will also manage a portfolio of existing IPs that are ready for commercialisation, licenses, and further development to enhance the technology readiness levels. It includes evaluating the commercialisation potential of newly disclosed invention disclosures, as well as developing commercialisation activities by building strong alliances with external partners, companies, investors, and NUS research community.

The successful candidate will guide TTI business development team through demonstration of strong leadership, possesses sound understanding of the startup ecosystem, and the tenacity to collaborate with different stakeholders in achieving the desired technology commercialisation and business outcomes.

• Support NUS Deputy President (Innovation and Enterprise) and Director (TTI) for fulfilling reports (quarterly, semi-annually, and annually) to the respective ministries and stakeholders for monitoring the performance of technology transfer activities, new initiatives, and their effects/outcomes.

• Proactively work with NUS TTI business development team to identify technologies for commercialisation such as licensing opportunities and providing suitable support to the development of NUS spinouts through the NUS GRIP initiative and other funding mechanisms.

• Provide leadership when engaging with external industry partners, government agencies and other relevant entities to advance NUS TTI’s interest for technology transfer, business development and innovation activities.

• Manage, encourage, and support the development, disclosure, and protection of NUS IPs, including reviewing proposals, technology transfer, negotiating ownership, negotiating agreements, license fees, royalties, etc. for technology transfers.

• Develop business strategies and assist with the assessment of inventions and identification of commercial applications through research and analysis of markets, competitive technologies, prior art, and patent landscape.

• Lead negotiations and complete licenses and related agreements, including development of business terms and overseeing internal due diligence procedures prior to signing of agreement.

• Manage NUS TTI business development team, and drive initiatives to generate business leads and commercialisation opportunities for NUS technologies and IPs.

• Engage NUS faculties and staff in establishing collaborative relationships with industry partners such as identifying interest to further develop NUS technologies and/or licensing of technologies.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with NUS faculties, schools, and research institutes/centres to disseminate information regarding technology transfer and commercialisation; make presentations and organising learning sessions.

• Contribute to enhance NUS TTI’s existing work processes and deliver high quality, professional service to a growing base of inventors and business partners.

• Good postgraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

• Possesses strong strategic thinking, sharp business acumen, good business planning and commercialisation skills in the start-up ecosystem.

• Experience in start-up’s deal development including essential elements regarding incorporation, share capitalisation, early-stage venture funding and product development.

• Experience in handling commercial negotiations to deal completion would be advantageous.

• Ability to quickly grasp new scientific concepts and technologies; appreciate latest state-of-the-art development in the various technology domains; identify opportunities for commercialisation and strategise pragmatic plans for execution.

• Excellent organisation skills and the ability to prioritise, manage and progress multiple projects efficiently while maintaining an active stakeholder interface.

• Effective oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to proficiently interact with stakeholders such as researchers, industry partners, and colleagues.

• Demonstrate initiative, adaptability and creative problem-solving.

• Passionate in working with commercialising cutting-edge technologies and the next great ideas, and to contribute to helping these discoveries make a difference in the world.

• Relevant network and experience in tech commercialisation with key stakeholders.

Job Type: Contract (2-year)
Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization:

Department :

Job requisition ID : 23468