"Associate Director, Intellectual Property & Award Management"

Job Details

Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu. If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions.

Current Employees and Students: If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please log in to Workday to use the internal application process.

Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site. We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:

• Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.
• Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application.

Job Title: Associate Director, Intellectual Property & Award Management

Department: ERIK | Technology Commercialization

The Associate Director of Intellectual Property and Award Management is responsible for strategic planning, innovation, and intellectual property (IP) within the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) Health Sciences Innovation (HSI) team, under the direction of the Associate Vice President (AVP). Oversees commercial applications, the evaluation of commercial potential of technologies, venture development, awards, and compliance. Works with the AVP in strategy development. Partners with the Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) and the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship. Lead efforts to identify translational projects in key thematic areas, obtaining funding for those projects through industry-sponsored research and other sources, maturing those projects. Works closely with the Office of Sponsored Program’s Office for Business Industry Contracts (OBIC) to negotiate industry contracts for health sciences research and development. Leads and oversees the stewardship of health sciences intellectual property filings, new company formation, and growing corporate engagements. Drives participation of faculty and research staff in the commercialization process and fosters the growth of the HSI inventive output and its intellectual property portfolio. In partnership with ICO leaders, develops and communicates commercialization objectives, strategic plan, priority research areas, and commercialization needs to drive alignment and engagement.

Responsible for ensuring the effective performance of the team across all aspects of intellectual property (IP) and award management, including IP protection strategies, market analysis and commercialization strategy, negotiating and structuring licenses, option and other related agreements in award contracts, post-license surveillance, and enforcement and monetization.

The Associate Director tracks and performs monthly reviews of the university’s health sciences invention disclosures and patent applications and assists with the colleges’ strategic intellectual property portfolio development across the entire commercialization continuum. The Intellectual Property (IP) may be in the fields of biomedical and life sciences, medical device, therapeutics, drug development, or areas of veterinary medicine and agriculture that relate to translational research. Leads a team of qualified staff responsible for intellectual property and award management. Works closely with IP staff and outside counsel to achieve the appropriate level of IP protection. The Associate Director is responsible for mentoring support staff as well as educating faculty and staff in commercialization, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In partnership with the Director, Licensing and Business Development. Identifies high priority industry/corporate partners and engages those partners across all relevant dimensions.

The Associate Director works closely with the ICO, Corporate Partnerships, and Office of Legal Affairs to maximize impact, accelerate outcomes, and harness the full potential of the Health Sciences Innovation team and the broader Ohio State ecosystem. Actively engages with college and medical center leaders and their faculty, staff, and students to drive engagement, invention, intellectual property, and relationship management across the university. As part of the HSI leadership team, actively works with the AVP on short- and long-range strategic vision as well as executing the strategies and tactics to reach core licensing objectives. Works with Legal to communicate with the external entity practicing OSU IP, yielding fair value for OSU.

Oversees talent acquisition within the team and develops a strategic staffing model to yield high productivity within intellectual property and award management. Responsible for developing, coaching and mentoring team managers, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of core processes, and ensuring outstanding customer experience through all aspects of stakeholder engagement. Participates in difficult conversations that lead to positive outcomes. Works closely with the AVP and other senior leaders to establish OSU as a top-tier, nationally recognized innovative university.

The Associate Director will be responsible for leading a team of seven unclassified staff positions.

Qualifications Required:

• Masters, MBA, JD, or Ph.D. in STEM related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant working experience in early-stage intellectual property with an emphasis on deal negotiation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, management skills and written and oral communication skills.
• Adept in negotiation, university policies, patent and recent changes in patent law, exceptional knowledge and network in industry licensing.
• Proven track record of closing successful deals demonstrable through deal sheet.
• Has positive attitude and models inspirational leadership to build strong, resilient, and innovative teams.
• Process and metrics oriented and committed to continuous improvement.
• Self-motivated, and an effective verbal and written communicator.

Qualifications Desired:

• PhD or other advanced degree.
• Minimum of 12 or more years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, life sciences, and/or digital health is desired.
• The ideal candidate will be a visionary and inspiring leader who is committed to fostering a high performing working environment.
• Extensive experience in a health sciences field with direct experience in serving as science advisor or innovation leader.
• Translational and transactional experience at or with an academic enterprise. Training in patent research and technology transfer.

A resume and cover letter are required to be submitted for this position.

Additional Information:

Join the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) at The Ohio State University and become a part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of discovery and innovation. ERIK positions Ohio State to expand curiosity-driven research and creative expression, further develop our research community of faculty, staff, and students, and grow the innovation ecosystem to address big challenges and improve communities locally and globally. We are seeking passionate individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. To learn more about our mission and work, please visit https://erik.osu.edu/.

Position Mapping:

Function: Research Administration

Sub-function: Technology Commercialization

Career Band and Level: M3

Location: Mount Hall (0311)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.