Senior Director, Technology Commercialization

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Director, Commercialization provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Wayne State University’s commercialization portfolio. This position supervises Technology Commercialization Professionals and establishes commercialization strategy, portfolio governance, performance standards, and market-facing engagement across sectors. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Technology Commercialization.

Essential Functions

(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)

Portfolio Leadership & Commercialization Strategy

• Lead a team of Commercialization Professionals by providing mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities. Promote a culture of collaboration and innovation within the team to enhance performance and achieve commercialization goals. Lead strategic initiatives to enhance translation efficiency and outcomes.
• Implement and manage a stage-gated commercialization framework that includes portfolio prioritization and resource allocation decisions. Oversee startup strategy and capital readiness across sectors.
• Ensure the Commercialization Team keeps complete and up-to-date records in the IP (Intellectual Property) Management database and provides appropriate decision-making information to other OTC (Office of Technology Commercialization) team members in a timely manner, for compliance, financial transactions, and reporting. Ensure data accuracy and transparency across commercialization systems.

Regularly evaluate team performance, providing constructive feedback and supporting individual and team goals that align with the overall objectives and KPI’s of the Office of Technology Commercialization. Contribute to institutional, economic impact, and external funding reports.

Portfolio Management

• Manage own portfolio of technologies, in areas of expertise.
• Manage the full lifecycle of commercialization, from identifying promising discoveries, protecting IP, helping to secure development funding and strategic partnerships, to licensing and commercialization.
• Develop and execute forward-looking commercialization strategies for Wayne State’s IP, including market assessment, opportunity identification, commercial viability, and roadmaps aligned with university and industry needs.

Evaluate markets and prioritize technologies using data-driven analysis of competition, demand, and regulatory landscapes to optimize IP positioning and guide resource allocation.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including faculty, industry partners, and entrepreneurs, including regular communication, networking, and collaboration to promote Wayne State’s innovations.
• Work closely with various university departments, such as the Office of General Counsel and Sponsored Programs Administration, to ensure seamless collaboration and support for commercialization activities.
• Actively seek collaborations with established companies and startups, as well as engage with the broader Michigan innovation ecosystem to enhance technology transfer and commercialization efforts.

Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging a collaborative environment that inspires faculty researchers to engage in commercialization efforts, ensuring they understand the value and impact of their work.

Negotiation and Contracts

Lead the negotiation of licensing agreements, ensuring that terms reflect the value of the technologies and align with the university’s objectives. This includes preparing term sheets, conducting negotiations, and supporting contract finalization in close collaboration with the Director, Intellectual Property & Contracts, who retains authority over intellectual property protection strategy, patent prosecution, and agreement execution.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Approve time sheets.
• Monitor and approve direct reports business expenditures to ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Provide fiscal and administrative input towards the department's annual budget.

Other Duties as Assigned

Perform additional responsibilities as required to support the Office of Technology Commercialization and the overall mission of Wayne State University.

WORK CONTEXT

• Job Reports to: Vice President/AVP/Dean
• Leadership Accountability: Develops strategic plans and interprets policy
• Supervisory Accountability: Supervises professionals and non-managers
• Organizational Accountability: Manages department
• Financial Accountability: Approves expenditures
• Customer Accountability: Interfaces with regulatory authorities
• Freedom to Act: Operates with significant autonomy

Unique duties:

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education Master's degree

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a science or engineering-related field.
• Advanced degrees (MBA, JD, or PhD) preferred.

Experience Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ year's experience)

• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of experience in technology transfer, licensing, or intellectual property management is required.
• Experience with startups and the venture capital community is also critical, as it provides insight into the commercialization landscape and funding opportunities.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills are necessary for interacting effectively with faculty, industry representatives, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. The ability to build trust and rapport is critical for successful collaboration and commercialization efforts. Leadership and team development capability.
• Business Knowledge: A strong comprehension of product life cycles and the nuance of commercialization is vital. This includes the ability to analyze market conditions and identify strategic opportunities for new technologies.
• Statutory Knowledge: A solid understanding of federal and state laws regarding technology transfer, IP protection, and patent processes is essential. This knowledge ensures compliance with legal standards and maximizes the value of the university's innovations.
• Communication Skills: Proficient oral and written communication skills are required for presenting ideas, negotiating agreements, and engaging with stakeholders. Active listening is also critical for understanding the needs and perspectives of others.
• Business Acumen: The ability to distill complex business problems into actionable steps is crucial for effective decision-making. This includes navigating intricate licensing landscapes and negotiating favorable agreements.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills are essential for managing multiple projects, priorities, and relationships simultaneously. The ability to prioritize tasks effectively ensures that commercialization efforts remain focused and productive.
• Analytical Skills: High-level analytical skills are necessary for evaluating complex situations involving various stakeholders and interests. This includes using data to inform decisions and recommend courses of action that advance technology commercialization.
• Commitment: A steadfast commitment to the institutional mission and faculty success. This includes maintaining confidentiality, acting independently when necessary, and demonstrating a strong work ethic.

Preferred qualifications:

School/College/Division: Generic Division

Primary department: H0905

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Executive

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum:
• Salary hire maximum:

Working conditions: The Sr. Director, Commercialization will operate within a dynamic academic environment, requiring flexibility and adaptability. A hybrid work model offers the opportunity to balance remote work with in-person collaboration, enabling effective engagement with faculty and industry partners. Some evening and weekend work is required.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements: University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.