Assistant Director - Technology Licensing and Business Development

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Electrical / Computer / Software Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or other Physical Science related discipline. Five (5) years of direct, full-time technology transfer experience (university or industry) in technology scouting/assessment, intellectual property licensing, business development and/or legal. Two (2) years of experience successfully negotiating intellectual property agreements including licenses, options, term sheets or other complex agreements (e.g. sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, equity agreements) in a lead role. Experience drafting and reviewing intellectual property agreements.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Electrical / Computer / Software Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or other Physical Science related discipline. Master’s degree in Business (foreign equivalent or higher). Juris Doctor (foreign equivalent or higher). Licensed Patent Agent. Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) or Certified Licensing Professional (CLP). Two (2) or more years of experience working in a university Technology Transfer Office.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Assistant Director, Technology Licensing and Business Development serves as a senior leader within Stony Brook University's (the “University”) technology transfer office, Intellectual Property Partners (IPP). The Assistant Director provides hands-on management of an assigned portfolio of University technologies while leading the day-to-day operations of the licensing function.

The Assistant Director supervises and develops licensing staff and provides direction on technology evaluation, intellectual property (IP) strategy, marketing, business development, licensing, and post-agreement management. The position reviews and guides licensing activities across the team's portfolio, supports complex transactions, establishes priorities, and ensures that licensing activities advance the University's research, educational, economic development, and public-service missions.

The Assistant Director also manages an individual portfolio of technologies and personally leads activities that include technology assessment, IP strategy, commercialization planning, industry outreach, business development, agreement development and negotiation, and post-agreement management.

The position works closely with faculty, students, researchers, industry partners, entrepreneurs, investors, patent counsel, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Security, the Research Foundation for the State University of New York’s (RF) central office and other stakeholders. The Assistant Director also works with leadership on strategic initiatives, policy development, process improvement, major transactions, and other matters that affect the University's technology transfer and commercialization activities.

• Technology Portfolio Management, Licensing, and Business Development:
  • Manage an assigned portfolio of University inventions and technologies from initial evaluation through intellectual property protection, commercialization, licensing, and post-agreement management.
  • Evaluate invention disclosures and existing technologies for technical merit, IP position, market potential, translational development requirements, and commercialization opportunities.
  • Develop IP, commercialization, and business development strategies for assigned technologies.
  • Conduct market and competitive assessments and identify potential licensees, collaborators, entrepreneurs, investors, and other commercialization partners.
  • Develop and execute technology marketing plans.
  • Meet with faculty, researchers, companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and other external stakeholders to advance commercialization opportunities.
  • Lead and/or participate in the development, drafting, review, and negotiation of term sheets, options, licenses, sponsored research agreements, collaboration agreements, and other IP and commercialization agreements.
  • Manage negotiations and transactions that require substantial professional judgment and coordinate with counsel and other stakeholders as appropriate.
  • Manage post-agreement matters, including diligence, reporting, milestones, amendments, compliance, and ongoing licensee relationships.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records of portfolio activities, transactions, and commercialization outcomes.

• Licensing Team Leadership and Supervision:
  • Lead the day-to-day operations of the technology transfer licensing team.
  • Supervise, mentor, train, and develop licensing staff.
  • Establish priorities and allocate work across the licensing team based on portfolio needs, transaction complexity, institutional priorities, and available resources.
  • Provide guidance on technology evaluation, IP strategy, marketing, business development, transaction strategy, and license negotiations.
  • Review and provide direction on licensing and commercialization matters handled by licensing team members.
  • Review proposed options, term sheets, licenses, and other commercialization agreements prepared by the licensing staff and provide recommendations regarding transaction strategy, business terms, and any associated risks.
  • Monitor the team's technology pipeline, licensing  and post agreement activity and identify matters that require additional attention, resources, or escalation to leadership.
  • Promote consistent, high-quality practices across the licensing function while allowing staff appropriate professional judgment and autonomy.
  • Draft, establish and monitor workflows, performance expectations, and service standards for the licensing team.
  • Support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, professional development, and succession planning for licensing staff.
  • Escalate significant institutional, financial, legal, compliance, or reputational issues to leadership and coordinate resolutions with appropriate University offices.

• Technology Pipeline, Intellectual Property Portfolio, and Sponsored Research Support:
  • Support the development and monitoring of the annual patent budget for the University's technology portfolio in coordination with leadership and appropriate office personnel.
  • Support risk management and other University compliance activities pertaining to intellectual property, commercialization, and contractual matters.
  • Support the Office of Sponsored Programs on intellectual property provisions in industry-sponsored research and other research agreements, as needed.
  • Help assess intellectual property implications of sponsored research, collaborations, joint development, and other research relationships.
  • Help ensure that technology transfer activities comply with applicable University and RF policies, the SUNY patent policy, sponsor requirements, and other applicable obligations.
• Faculty Engagement and Education:
  • Advise faculty, students, and researchers on new technology disclosures, intellectual property, commercialization, licensing, entrepreneurship, and relevant University and RF policies and procedures.
  • Build and maintain productive relationships with faculty and research teams to identify promising technologies and support their progression toward commercialization.
  • Help educate researchers about technology commercialization, IP protection and the University's technology transfer process including, for example, representing the technology transfer office at office hours, as well as campus or technology transfer seminars/workshops and events
  • Serve as a knowledgeable and accessible resource for faculty and researchers while coordinating with leadership on sensitive or high-priority matters.
• Policy, Process Improvement, and Operations:
  • Interpret University technology transfer policies and procedures and provide guidance to staff and stakeholders.
  • Identify opportunities to improve technology transfer workflows, transaction processes, portfolio management practices, and internal controls.
  • Recommend policy, process, and operational improvements to leadership.
  • Develop or improve templates, procedures, reporting tools, and other resources that support efficient and consistent technology transfer operations.
  • Contribute to strategic planning and operational initiatives for the technology transfer office.
• Entrepreneurship Programming, and University Partnerships:
  • Support formation of new ventures based on University IP when appropriate.
  • Develop relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, industry partners, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders that can help advance University technologies.
  • Support University initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, industry engagement, and regional economic development.
  • Represent the technology transfer office at conferences, industry events, technology showcases, entrepreneurial programs, and other external activities as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Notes:
The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

This position may be eligible for hybrid, alternative workplace arrangements/telework after an initial training period has been completed.

Due to U.S. Export Control laws and regulations, the candidate hired will need to be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other "protected individual" (as defined by 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1324b(a)(3).

For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.

Resume/CV, deal sheet and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws. 

Stony Brook University is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or hiring process, please request one by contacting [email protected]. We will consider accommodation requests in compliance with applicable laws. This process is independent and does not require any voluntary self-identification of disability status. Please include the position title and position number (if known) in your message.

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The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.