Assistant Vice President, Office of Technology Transfer & Commercialization

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

General management responsibilities for strategic and annual planning, budgeting, organization staffing, managing, and supervising direct reports, and leadership of the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization (OTTC). Development of a well-functioning, well-respected, customer oriented OTTC within WSU. Organization and maintenance of effective communications and outcomes within the OTTC, internal and external stakeholders.

Develops strategic direction and oversight of technology development and management functions including but not limited to Intellectual property protection and management, business development and forecasting market research and marketing strategy, entrepreneurship and start-up formation, and licensing and contractual agreements with continued adherence to compliance applicable laws and regulations. Increase deal flow and foster strategic partnerships with industry.

Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) on WSU Intellectual Property Policy review, revision, and implementation. Work closely with OGC, Sponsored Programs, and other administrative offices to streamline the development, review, execution, and oversight of OTTC managed contracts including confidentiality and data use agreements, non-exclusive and exclusive licenses, inter-institutional agreements, collaboration and consortia agreements and transactions with WSU faculty and other industry related contracts.

Create value for WSU Research and Innovation through education, mentorship, opportunity assessments, gap funding programs; identify and lead funding applications for innovation and technology transfer from state, federal and other agencies, support and promote translational research through cooperative federal and industry research funding. Foster an entrepreneurial culture at WSU to support WSU start-up companies for the commercialization of WSU owned technologies.

Development and management of education and promotion programs within WSU to advance the knowledge and understanding of WSU's technology transfer and management objectives to faculty staff and administration. Serve on WSU committees as needed.

Promotion and support of external relations between or among other organizations and WSU's technology transfer activities, including (a) current and potential licensees (b) industry partnerships (c) members of the Detroit Community particularly supporting economic and business development, (d) other universities, and (e) professional organizations (f) state and federal agencies.

This position will also require (a) frequent contacts with others on campus in their locations, (b) contacts with professionals and others in Detroit and elsewhere, (c) contacts with a variety of persons in the Detroit community, and (d) national and international travel as needed.

Direct, plan and control the day-to-day, strategic management of the unit. Direct, hire, train and evaluate management, professional and support staff. Direct the development and administration of the departmental budget and authorize the expenditure of funds.

Other duties as assigned.

Experience: Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years’ experience).

10+ years of experience in a sophisticated technology transfer organization, including significant personal participation in the leadership and senior management (including at the board level) of one or more technology-based start-up businesses. Five years of experience in management of licensing personnel, either in industry or in a university setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Leadership Skills: Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities. Ability to plan and set strategic and operational direction for program development. Ability to concurrently manage multiple diverse projects. Ability to foster collaborations across diverse constituencies in a large academic institution with strong experience in participatory leadership.

Business Acumen: Excellent analytical, marketing, selling, organizational, communications, negotiating, and planning skills; ability to successfully "meet and match wits" with senior people in business and academia. Creativity and problem-solving capabilities; perseverance to get things done to high standards. High energy and stamina and ability to (a) work under pressure; (b) pay attention to detail; (c) meet inflexible deadlines on own initiative; (d) deal with difficult situations while maintaining composure.

Technical Skills: Experienced in technology assessment and licensing process; new company formation process; patent and copyright laws and other methods of intellectual property protection and licensing and the processes of achieving such protection; government laws and regulations as related to technology transfer; contract law.

Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to influence and motivate others and represent WSU effectively in varied situations with alumni, civic organizations, colleges, and senior leadership. Ability to build effective working relationships with a variety of constituencies, as well as a commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, excellence, and diversity.