SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:
The Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) was established in 1970 to manage the intellectual property assets of Stanford University. OTL evaluates, markets, and licenses technology owned by the University. OTL's mission is to encourage effective technology transfer for the public benefit as well as generating royalty income for Stanford to benefit research and education. OTL is one of the country's most active offices in the field of technology transfer from the university to industry. Our staff, most of whom are professionals engaged directly in licensing, manages over 3,000 active dockets. The Industry and Technology Transactions (IATT) Office is part of the OTL, and is responsible for drafting and negotiating contracts that enable research in collaboration with industry, including strategic alliances and some technology transactions.
Our VPDoR Diversity Journey:
- We create a hub of innovation through the power of diversity of disciplines and peopWe provide equitable access and opportunity to all members of the community in order to do their best work, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
- We listen to and value all colleagues who bring diverse perspectives to the advancement and development of a respectful community.
- We promote a culture of belonging, equity, and safety.
- We embed these values in excellence of education, research, and operation.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) is seeking a Director of Industry and Technology Transactions. This position provides strategic direction, cross-functional coordination, and oversight for Stanford’s industry research and alliance contracting, including complex, high-visibility, high-value strategic alliances and some technology licensing transactions, to achieve the goals and objectives of Stanford and OTL leadership. Responsibilities include overseeing the drafting, negotiation, execution and administration of more than 2,000 research agreements annually; staff training, development and management; intra- and cross-unit stakeholder coordination; contractual, reputational and IP risk mitigation; and drafting, negotiating, and executing as part of an OTL strategic alliance team, the high profile, complex research and strategic alliance agreements with companies and some non-profit entities.
The preference for this position is to be based at the Stanford work location with the option of a hybrid work arrangement, subject to operational need. Hybrid work arrangements require a regular presence at the Stanford work location that is determined based on business needs, and is typically two, three, or four days per week or an equivalent amount of time monthly.
CORE DUTIES:
- Oversee the management of areas of responsibility. Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve goals and vision of the organization. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports and accountable for the performance of employees.
- Provide strategic direction for multiple areas of business; create strategic plans of considerable complexity and scope; set long range direction and make high level decisions; propose and manage the implementation of complex and significant programmatic change; establish policies as needed.
- Make decisions for programs that provide critical support services for the University's mission of teaching and research. Oversee allocation of all resources.
- Set the direction of an organization and direct the policy development and implementation of administrative operations and workforce planning.
- Evaluate the performance of the organization and develop plans accordingly. Responsible for the financial viability and success of the organization. Responsible for committing University resources with limited review by senior management.
- Advise executive management on programmatic and policy development. Negotiate and influence university leaders on issues that have university-wide impact.
- Champion major initiatives lead complex, high-visibility process redesign and innovation projects; develop and implement initiatives.
Specific job responsibilities include:
- Draft, negotiate, sign and administer, and oversee the same for major research agreements with companies, including but not limited to agreements to govern strategic alliances, industry-sponsored research, unfunded industry collaborations, material and data transfers, equipment loans, and other research and technology transfer-related relationships.
- Oversee and coordinate the development and maintenance of reference and training documents, information systems and databases, and procedures to ensure work products and workflows are efficient and up-to-date.
- Identify and resolve strategic issues that could have significant financial or reputational impact for Stanford and its researchers and are critical to overall functioning beyond the immediate unit; advise and consult with Associate Vice Provost (AVP)/Executive Director of OTL, OGC and other units as relevant.
- Mitigate IP, legal and reputational risks by working in concert with the Director(s) of Licensing and Strategic Alliances to develop and implement a pre-award due diligence process to track and manage background IP and legal obligations for industry contract and strategic alliance proposals submitted by Stanford faculty, and to incorporate related mitigation terms into the subsequent contracts.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with deans, department chairs, faculty, and senior campus administrators, as well as executives and legal counsel of external entities.
- As part of the OTL Executive Management Team, collaborate with other Team members to ensure that consistency in research contracting, alliance and licensing terms is maintained across the organization.
- Advise AVP/Executive Director on programmatic and policy development to ensure successful research sponsor, alliance and licensee relationships, particularly relating to contracting activities. May provide input to university leadership on institutional administrative policies, practices and guidelines.
- Coordinate with other Stanford contracting units, Office of Development, Risk Management, Privacy Office, Information Security Office, Office of General Counsel, school-specific deans’ offices or business development teams, Stanford technology development programs, and other OTL staff to ensure ancillary research agreements required for successful functioning of research, alliance, licensee and certain vendor relationships are negotiated and executed in a timely manner. Negotiate or provide guidance on IP-related terms for other Stanford contracting units.
- Network with industry representatives, peers in academic institutions and professional associations to develop relationships and gain a broader understanding of industry-academic relationships and trends outside of Stanford. Promote Stanford and best practices in presentations at conferences.
- *Other duties as may be assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience in research administrative or technology licensing management, or combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced law degree strongly preferred.
Strongly Preferred Experience:
- 10+ years of research collaboration contracting and IP licensing experience.
- 5+ years of experience recruiting, training and managing a team of professional research and/or licensing transactions staff.
- Successful track record of negotiations with companies ranging in size from startups to global corporations and including deal sizes of at least $10M.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated strategic leadership, planning and change management skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. Advanced expertise in budget planning and financial forecasting.
- Strong knowledge of industry and legal standards, trends and/or regulatory requirements.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, written and presentation skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple units of an organization.
- Advanced leadership skills, political acumen, and demonstrated ability to develop and execute organizational vision.
- Demonstrated ability to independently exercise sound judgement and decision making, including ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative and effective solutions.
- Exemplary record of high achievement in IP-related contracting and the application of intellectual property principles, preferably as they impact institutions of higher education.
- Exceptional customer relationship skills, consensus building skills and proven ability to cultivate and maintain strong collaborative relationships with faculty, build professional business relationships, and represent the university externally.
- Proven ability to professionally interact, influence, negotiate and resolve conflicts with internal constituencies, external business partners and senior leadership.
- Proven ability to strategically manage personnel and other resources, and effectively prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive and complex projects from inception to timely completion.
- Demonstrated expertise and advanced knowledge of contract and IP laws, University policies, relevant industry a trends and related government regulatory requirements.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn applicable business systems. Highly proficient working with IP and contracting data information systems, typical academic policies and standard operating procedures while performing the core responsibilities of industry research contracting and technology transfer.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
- Frequently sitting.
- Occasionally stand and walk, reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds;
- Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.
- * - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
For On-site or Hybrid positions:
The expected pay range for this position is $205,000 to $280,000 per annum/hour.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
- Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and 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, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
