Associate Director, Life Sciences - 128210

This position will remain posted until a suitable candidate has been identified.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates that apply by 3/9/24.

The Office of Innovation & Commercialization (OIC) oversees a campus-wide innovation platform of systemic and sustainable innovation culture, in order to drive social and economic prosperity in the regional ecosystem, and to accelerate the commercialization of UC San Diego inventions. OIC directly supports the Office of Research Affairs mission and UC San Diego strategic plan vision to be a student-centered, research focused, service-oriented public university. OIC strategy supports sustainable forms of economic development through collaboration with existing industry, and the creation of new high-potential startup companies. The integrated innovation platform supports entrepreneurial culture on campus and vibrant regional ecosystem of people working to develop new products, create jobs, and enrich society. Its programs are designed to increase the rate and number of university innovations that make it to the market/society and develop students who are capable of solving problems and leading and innovating in a diverse and interconnected world. OIC is responsible for initiatives to drive innovation across all areas of campus and to speed university discoveries and technologies to the nation’s marketplaces. OIC includes the Intellectual Property, Commercialization Agreements, Industry Partnering, Innovation Design, and Operations units that support this enterprise.

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 bioloigcal and life 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 is responsible for providing general oversight, training, and mentoring to 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.

~Must be U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident in order to comply with the Arms Export Control and Export Administration Act.

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

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate mutually beneficial intellectual property agreements that are compliant with relevant policies and laws. Ten years experience in technology licensing as evidenced by negotiated contracts with major biological and life science companies and startup companies. Good negotiation skills to obtain reasonable license terms and conditions while maintaining the university's long-term relationship with industry.

• 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.

• 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.\

• Ability to manage diverse staff (HR, Finance, IT). Demonstrated strong financial, management and leadership skills. Demonstrated managerial, supervisory, leadership and communication skills.

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

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

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

• Experience in technical writing.

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

• This position is hybrid/remote with a combination of onsite and remote work.

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

• U.S. person status is required for this position in order to comply with the Arms Export Control and Export Administration Act. U.S. persons are U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $124,400 - $243,600 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $59.58 - $116.67

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

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UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20
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