ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, LICENSING & TRANSACTIONS

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITLE:  Associate Director, Licensing & Transactions

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Associate Director of Licensing is a senior deal-focused role within the Office of Technology Development, responsible for leading the negotiation and execution of complex technology licensing transactions across Scripps Research's intellectual property portfolio. Will take primary ownership of high-value and strategically significant licensing deals from initial term sheet development through final agreement execution and post license compliance. The role spans the full breadth of Scripps Research's technology portfolio, including biomedical, chemical, and software/computational technologies, and requires deep expertise in crafting deal structures that align institutional objectives with commercial partner interests. Is a trusted advisor to faculty, a skilled counterpart to industry negotiators, and a key contributor to the institute's technology commercialization strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

• Leads the negotiation of complex technology licensing transactions, including exclusive and non-exclusive license agreements, option agreements, co-development agreements, and inter-institutional agreements, with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for deal outcomes.
• Drafts, reviews, and refines term sheets and agreements for complex licensing transactions, establishing deal frameworks including license scope, field-of-use definitions, financial terms (upfront fees, milestones, royalties, sublicensing income), equity provisions, and diligence obligations.
• Negotiates and executes a wide range of transactional agreements including sponsored research agreements, material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, inter institutional agreements and amendments to existing agreements.
• Applies expertise in software and computational technology licensing to structure agreements for software tools, algorithms, databases, AI/ML models, and research platforms, including appropriate source code provisions, use restrictions, and open-source compatibility considerations.
• Develops and presents proposed deal terms and negotiation strategies to OTD leadership and faculty, synthesizing market intelligence, comparable transaction data, and institutional priorities to inform recommendations.
• Leads industry outreach and relationship development for priority technologies, including targeted engagement with prospective licensees, presentation of licensing opportunities, and cultivation of long-term commercial partnerships.
• Negotiates founders' equity arrangements, start-up license structures, and related agreements in connection with spin-out venture formation, working closely with institutional leadership and counsel.
• Partners with the Office of Patent Counsel on IP strategy as it relates to active licensing transactions, including freedom-to-operate considerations, claim scope analysis, and patent portfolio positioning.
• Serves as a senior advisor and resource to OTD licensing staff on deal strategy, term sheet construction, and negotiation tactics for complex or novel transactions.
• Maintains current knowledge of market deal terms, licensing trends, and best practices across the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and software/technology sectors, applying this knowledge to strengthen the institute's negotiating position.
• Represents Scripps Research OTD in external forums including AUTM, LES, an