Commercialization Program Director

University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Remote; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pittsburgh's Orthopaedic Surgery department seeks a Staff Commercialization Program Director to lead the commercialization program and oversee IP licensing, tech transfer, and venture development for musculoskeletal research.

You will manage cross‑functional teams, coordinate clinical trials, and drive strategy, budgeting, and partnerships while guiding policy and education initiatives across departments.

Qualifications

• BS in business/health/STEM + 7 yrs progressive exp in innovation mgmt, tech transfer, venture dev, or industry partnerships.
• Strong communication skills and proven ability to secure funding and drive partnerships.
• Pref: MBA/MHA/MS; experience in academic medical centers, VC, or startups.

Responsibilities

• Drive commercialization, IP licensing, and tech transfer for musculoskeletal research to translate discoveries into startups, products, and services.
• Provide expertise in venture capital, startup development, financial forecasting, and due diligence to secure funding.
• Cultivate internal and external relationships across Tech Management, the Innovation Institute, investors, and healthcare organizations.
• Coordinate clinical trials and optimize operations across orthopaedic subspecialties to boost productivity.

Skills

Market analysis

Business planning

Project management

Partner relations

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Oversees and leads commercialization program of planned outreach. Works with faculty throughout invention life cycle and accounts for all aspects of a commercialization package. Leads a team that coordinates across stakeholders to ensure adherence to scope, timeline, and launch plan execution. Develops policies and procedures, prepares and maintains budgets, and performs other leadership duties as a member of the leadership team.

Med-Orthopedic Surgery

In lieu of educational requirements, additional years of relevant experience may be considered, as per University guidelines.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. The University offers comprehensive benefits to eligible employees. Aside from our great health plans, we have a generous match to our 403B retirement savings plan, vacation, sick and personal days. We have Paid Winter Recess (Christmas to New Year’s Day). Finally, we offer generous educational benefits for eligible employees, their dependents and spouse/domestic partner.

Essential Functions

Drive commercialization, IP licensing, and tech transfer for musculoskeletal research to translate discoveries into startups, products, and services using market validation and business planning. Provide expertise in venture capital, startup development, financial forecasting, and due diligence to secure funding via industry sponsors and strategic partnerships. Cultivate internal and external relationships across Tech Management, the Innovation Institute, investors, and healthcare organizations while representing the Department/BMRC in professional forums. Coordinate clinical trials and optimize operations across all Orthopaedic Surgery subspecialties—including Spine, Trauma, Hand, Joint, Foot, and Oncology divisions— to cut redundancies and boost productivity. Design educational programming and mentor innovators like faculty, trainees, staff, and students on university resource pathways. Advise leadership on strategy, resource allocation, and growth goals while tracking outcomes using custom metrics and serving on ecosystem committees.

Physical Effort

• Ability to work in a standard office environment.
• Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, and partner engagements.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category

Full-time regular

Job Classification

Staff.Commercialization Program Director

Job Family

Research

Job Sub-Family

Intellectual Properties

Campus

Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years Of Experience Required

7

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience?

Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Additional Details About Required Licensure/Certification

Reqs: BS in business/health/STEM + 7 yrs progressive exp in innovation mgmt, tech transfer, venture dev, or industry partnerships. Proven track record in market analysis, business planning, project mgmt, and partner relations. Strong communication skills. Pref: MBA/MHA/MS. Exp in academic med centers, VC, or startups. Knowledge of IP, licensing, clinical trials, or digital health/med devices. Proven success securing funding and driving strategic healthcare partnerships.

Work Schedule

M-F 8-4

Work Arrangement

Remote: Teams working from different locations (off-campus).

Hiring Range

TBD BasedUpon Qualifications

Relocation Offered

No

Visa Sponsorship Provided

Yes

Background Check

For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances

The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

Required Documents

Resume

Optional Documents

Not Applicable