Department: Office Rsrch Innov and Econ Impact
Classification: Administrative Faculty
Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: On Site Required
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa
sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and
experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
George Mason University has experienced rapid growth over the past
several years, resulting in R1 classification, a significant
increase in invention disclosures, and a growing portfolio of
maturing technologies. With the continued expansion of the regional
innovation ecosystem and numerous technology-driven companies in
Northern Virginia, the University is advancing its technology
transfer and commercialization infrastructure.
The Office of Technology Transfer sits in Mason Enterprise, part of
the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, which
leads university-wide efforts related to innovation,
commercialization, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement. The
University continues to build a more holistic innovation and
business development function to better serve faculty and student
innovators, deepen industry partnerships, and contribute to the
region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
About the Position:
The Senior Director, Technology Transfer supports the Office of
Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact's growth. This position
reflects a refined, execution-focused leadership model while
maintaining strategic responsibility for technology transfer across
the University. The Senior Director will play a critical role in
translating George Mason’s research discoveries into societal and
economic impact through intellectual property protection,
commercialization, industry engagement, and startup support. This
position fits within George Mason’s highly collaborative and
inclusive culture and strongly supports the University’s commitment
to research commercialization and entrepreneurship.
The Senior Director, Technology Transfer leads the University’s
efforts to facilitate the transfer of research discoveries and
innovations for public use and benefit. The Senior Director
establishes and implements strategies, tools, and procedures to
evaluate, protect, market, and commercialize technologies developed
by faculty and students. The position has responsibility for
technology transfer across all George Mason University
campuses.
This role requires independent decision-making authority that
substantially affects business operations. The Senior Director
reports to the Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic
Development and works closely with faculty, university leadership,
legal counsel, industry partners, investors, and external
stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property
Management:
- Lead and oversee the assessment, protection, and management of
intellectual property, including inventions, software, data, and
other research outputs;
Guide patenting and IP strategy in collaboration with internal
stakeholders and external legal counsel;
Oversee the evaluation of invention disclosures for commercial
potential and prioritize technologies for investment and
advancement;
Lead negotiation and execution of license agreements, option
agreements, NDAs, MTAs, and other IP-related contracts; and
Assist the Office of Sponsored Programs and University Counsel
with intellectual property clauses in university agreements.
Technology Transfer Operations, Strategy & Team
Leadership:
- Coordinate with the Associate Vice President to lead
operational functions and new initiatives aligned with university
strategy;
- Recommend and implement streamlined procedures, systems, and
best practices for technology transfer operations;
- Manage staff and build a high-performing team to support
invention intake, IP management, licensing, and industry
engagement;
- Maintain and enhance reporting, project management, and
database systems related to commercialization activities;
- Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and outside counsel;
and
- Assist the Vice President of Research with George Mason
Research Foundation operations.
Compliance, Policy & Stakeholder Communication:
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations, including Bayh–Dole
requirements, conflict-of-interest policies, and reporting
obligations;
- Communicate technology transfer policies and processes to
faculty in a manner that fosters understanding, trust, and
collaboration; and
- Prepare and present reports to university leadership as
required.
Industry Partnerships & Commercialization
Strategy:
- Serve as a liaison between faculty and industry partners to
identify and align industry-relevant research opportunities;
- Cultivate and manage relationships with corporations, startups,
investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, and government
agencies; and
- Promote George Mason technologies through targeted outreach,
meetings, presentations, and strategic partnerships.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ecosystem
Development:
- Support faculty and student entrepreneurs in navigating
commercialization pathways;
- Collaborate with campus entrepreneurship programs, incubators,
and economic development organizations; and
- Provide strategic guidance to university-affiliated startups
and help reduce barriers to startup formation and growth.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, and business or
law, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education
and experience;
- Significant experience (generally at least 10 years) in
technology transfer, intellectual property management, licensing,
business development, or a related field within a
research-intensive environment;
- Generally, at least 5 years of proven leadership and people
management skills;
- Knowledge of technology transfer, intellectual property
management, licensing, business development, or a related field
within a research-intensive environment;
- Demonstrated skill and success negotiating complex contracts
and managing patent expenses;
- Strong understanding/knowledge of the university research
environment and ability to translate between academic research and
industry needs;
- Demonstrated team leadership and people management skills;
- Ability to translate complex technical research into clear,
non-confidential technology descriptions;
- Demonstrated strategic thinking, sound judgment, and ability to
work independently in a collaborative environment;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Strong organizational abilities;
- Proficiency with MS Office and CRM or database systems;
and
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain
confidentiality.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Terminal degree such as a J.D., Ph.D., or MBA;
- Background in computing, cybersecurity, bio-technology,
engineering or other high-growth technology domains;
- Significant experience in an academic technology transfer or
commercialization office, particularly at an R1 institution;
- Experience negotiating early-stage technology intellectual
property and licensing agreements for businesses;
- Experience with startup formation, early-stage venture
financing, and entrepreneurial ecosystems;
- Experience managing outside patent counsel and converting
invention disclosures into strong provisional applications;
- Established relationships with industry, investors, or sponsors
involved in research or commercialization;
- Experience implementing operational systems in a technology
transfer or innovation office; and
- Familiarity with AUTM practices and federal technology transfer
regulations.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for the
Senior
Director, Technology Transfer at
https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online
application to include three professional references with contact
information, and provide a cover letter and resume for
review.
Posting Open Date: August 24, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: September 7, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research
university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous
world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest
and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering
degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,
along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for
students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We
believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing
our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and
we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of
origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its
community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or
veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at
http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/