Business Development Director (Hybrid) - Office of Technology Management

Washington University in St. Louis; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university seeks a Business Development Director to manage its intellectual property portfolio. This senior role involves complex licensing agreements, mentoring associates, and enhancing outreach efforts to commercial partners. Ideal candidates will possess advanced degrees and significant experience in technology transfer.

Benefits

Up to 22 days of vacation

Competitive health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Tuition coverage for employees and family

Wellness programs and resources

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in relevant sciences.
• Experience in technology transfer or commercial development (7 years).
• Ability to assess technologies in a commercial context.

Responsibilities

• Manage and evaluate a portion of the university’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Negotiate complex license agreements and communicate with researchers.
• Train and mentor licensing associates and trainees.

Skills

Communication

Customer Service

Decision Making

Leadership

People Management

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Scheduled Hours 37.5 Position Summary The Business Development Director (BDD) is responsible for managing a portion of the university’s intellectual property portfolio with the mission of transferring it to commercial companies for the benefit of society. The BDD will be responsible for handling highly complex license agreements, a large portfolio of IP for the most active faculty, and training and mentoring licensing associates and trainees. These responsibilities will be completed with minimal direction from the Associate Director. The BDD will be expected to direct high-profile initiatives for the benefit of OTM and contribute toward outreach to potential and existing inventors. The BDD job is an advanced-level licensing position for OTM. Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Complete Technology Assessment and Commercial/Patent Reassessment on assigned invention disclosure within established time frames.

• This assessment should include an evaluation of patentability and commercial opportunity.

• Recommendations will be made on appropriate IP protection (patent or copyright) and patent conversions.

• Work with legal counsel to protect intellectual property either through patenting or other proper tactics for assigned portfolio.

• Work directly with patent coordinator and internal legal counsel (OGC) on patent costs and filing tactics with outside patent law firms.

• Develop marketing materials and website information on IP-protected cases.

• Market IP and establish contacts with potential licensees.

• Maintain and build relationships with industry contacts as licensees and/or potential licensees.

• Manage IP portfolio and decisions on future license potential.

• Negotiate key terms and execute complex license agreement with established companies and start-ups.

• Manage a large and complex portfolio of existing licenses with respect to technology development, milestones and non-financial terms of the licensees.

• Responsible for the training, mentoring and evaluation of Technology Transfer Trainees.

• Responsible for managing and evaluating certain members of the licensing team.

• Direct high-profile initiatives as identified by department.

• Communicate with and educate investigators, researchers and students, along with departments and schools in order to better understand the potential for inventions from the research done at WU.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time. Required Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Technology Transfer Office Or In Commercial Development Within The Private Sector (7 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position. More About This Job Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in the life/biological science, medicine, biomedical engineering, engineering, or physical sciences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in closing complex business transactions and licenses with large established companies and start-ups.
• Business experience in private industry.
• Ability to assess the potential for a nascent technology in the commercial arena.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills and be able to represent the department inside and outside WU.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Communication, Customer Service, Decision Making, Leadership, People Management Grade G17 Salary Range $110,300.00 - $194,200.00 / Annually The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget. Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. Pre-Employment Screening All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening. Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.