Associate Director, Technology Licensing

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Associate Director, Technology Licensing

Job Profile Title

Associate Director, Technology Licensing

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Proactively develop, lead, and sustain strong working relationships with faculty and researchers in targeted PSOM departments. Meet regularly with investigators to discuss ongoing research and identify technologies with commercial potential, serving as the primary PCI point of contact for assigned investigators and/or departments.
• Evaluate assigned technology disclosures to determine their commercial potential and to develop and recommend well‑articulated, diligently justified “go/no‑go” decisions regarding whether to pursue patent protection. Present and support these recommendations, along with proposed IP and commercialization strategies, at weekly Patent Investment Meetings (PIM).
• Identify and actively engage with potential industry partners and investors; perform due diligence on prospective commercial partners and conduct technology valuation to inform deal strategy and structure. Initiate and lead the negotiation of licensing and option agreements, and assist with sponsored research and other research‑related agreements with commercial entities, as required. Be responsive to the needs of key internal and external PCI clients and help manage relationships with company partners following agreement execution.
• Develop commercialization strategies for assigned technologies and technology portfolios, including assessment of market need, commercial potential, competitive landscape, and appropriate commercialization pathways. Perform market analysis to identify commercial opportunities, including identification of and outreach to targeted commercial partners and investors. Prepare non‑confidential marketing materials for assigned technologies, with the assistance of PCI’s Marketing, Communications and Programs (MCP) team, as appropriate
• Participate in outreach activities to engage and educate PSOM faculty, researchers, and trainees about technology commercialization pathways and PCI resources. Help plan and deliver seminars, workshops, and events, and support programs designed to promote engagement with corporate partners and increase awareness of opportunities to work more closely with Penn and PCI.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to junior TLOs and other trainees.

Qualifications

• Master's and 5-7 years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required; PhD and 3-5 years of relevant work experience in a life science field strongly preferred.
• Understanding of research environment, preferably in higher education
• Excellent customer service skill