Commercialization Coordinator (Research & Innovation)

Meharry Medical College; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Meharry Medical College seeks a Commercialization Coordinator to support innovation and technology transfer across the institution. You will partner with the Commercialization Counselor, faculty, and industry partners to move discoveries toward commercialization within a university academic medical setting.

The role emphasizes organized coordination, proactive communication, and hands-on support for early-stage opportunities, program logistics, and ecosystem engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, science, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience working with startups, innovation programs, or academic research environments.
• Ability to manage projects, coordinate events, and engage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Support execution of commercialization strategy and day-to-day priorities under the direction of the lead.
• Assist in managing multiple projects, tracking milestones, and ensuring timely progress.
• Prepare materials, updates, and reports to support leadership meetings and decision-making.
• Coordinate tasks, timelines, and follow-ups to keep initiatives moving forward.
• Serve as a reliable point of contact to streamline operations and reduce administrative burden.
• Support customer discovery efforts and market research to inform commercialization strategies.
• Work with faculty, students, and researchers to identify and advance innovation opportunities.
• Assist in preparing invention disclosures and guiding early-stage commercialization efforts.
• Provide hands-on support to teams navigating the innovation and entrepreneurship process.
• Coordinate logistics for programs, workshops, and cohort-based initiatives.
• Track team participation, engagement, and progress throughout programs.
• Support communication with participants, partners, and stakeholders.
• Assist in managing relationships with external partners, including universities and industry.
• Help coordinate events and initiatives that strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
• Assist in tracking grant milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
• Collect and organize data for reporting to funders and stakeholders.
• Support preparation of reports, presentations, and documentation.
• Maintain organized records of projects, participants, and activities.
• Provide general administrative and operational support to ensure smooth day-to-day functions.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Organization

Stakeholder coordination

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, science, engineering, or related field

Job description

The Commercialization Coordinator reports directly to the Commercialization Counselor at the Office for Research and Innovation at Meharry Medical College. The Commercialization Coordinator will collaborate closely with the Commercialization Counselor and help support innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer activities across the institution. This role will work closely with faculty, graduate students, industry partners, and external innovation networks to help move research discoveries toward commercialization. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and has great communication skills who can assist in helping support early-stage innovation in a university academic medical environment.

Daily Operations

Direct Support to Innovation & Commercialization Lead

• Support execution of commercialization strategy and day-to-day priorities under the direction of the lead.
• Assist in managing multiple projects, tracking milestones, and ensuring timely progress.
• Prepare materials, updates, and reports to support leadership meetings and decision-making.
• Coordinate tasks, timelines, and follow-ups to keep initiatives moving forward.
• Serve as a reliable point of contact to streamline operations and reduce administrative burden.

Customer Discovery, Market Research & Faculty Support

• Support and help lead customer discovery efforts, including conducting interviews and synthesizing insights.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform commercialization strategies.
• Work with faculty, students, and researchers to identify and advance innovation opportunities.
• Assist in preparing invention disclosures and guiding early-stage commercialization efforts.
• Provide hands‑on support to teams navigating the innovation and entrepreneurship process.

Program Coordination & Ecosystem Engagement

• Coordinate logistics for programs, workshops, and cohort‑based initiatives.
• Track team participation, engagement, and progress throughout programs.
• Support communication with participants, partners, and stakeholders.
• Assist in managing relationships with external partners, including universities and industry.
• Help coordinate events and initiatives that strengthen the innovation ecosystem.

Grant, Reporting & Operational Support

• Assist in tracking grant milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
• Collect and organize data for reporting to funders and stakeholders.
• Support preparation of reports, presentations, and documentation.
• Maintain organized records of projects, participants, and activities.
• Provide general administrative and operational support to ensure smooth day‑to‑day functions.

Required Skills

Strong project management and organizational skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skills (reports, presentations, proposals)Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environmentStrong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across faculty, students, entrepreneurs, and industry partnersCommitment to confidentiality and professional handling of sensitive information

Preferred Skills

Knowledge of technology commercialization, intellectual property, and licensing processesFamiliarity with grant‑funded research and compliance requirementsExperience with market research, business development, or startup ecosystemsAnalytical skills to evaluate technology potential and commercialization strategiesEvent coordination experience (workshops, pitch days, outreach activities)

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in business, science, engineering, or a related fieldExperience working with startups, innovation programs, or academic research environments.Demonstrated ability to manage projects, coordinate events, and engage multiple stakeholders

Preferred Education and Experience

2-4 years of experience in technology commercialization, research administration, or business development is preferred.Familiarity with intellectual property, licensing, or grant‑funded project management is preferred.

Preferred Licensure, Certification or Registration

NSF I-Corps Training CertificationProject Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)