Director of Intellectual Property Management

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 127,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Houston in Houston, TX seeks a technology transfer leader to manage intellectual property and drive patent strategy under the Office of Technology Transfer & Innovation. You will collaborate with university stakeholders and oversee policy implementation and compliance.

The role requires significant experience in patent prosecution, licensing, and strategic planning for interdisciplinary research initiatives within UH systems.

Qualifications

• Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of directly job-related experience; ten (10) years preferred.
• Registered Patent Agent, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Responsibilities

• Manages intellectual property, identifies potential inventions, disclosures, and patent applications.
• Responsible for patent prosecution, portfolio strategy, and directs processing of patent applications; liaises with outside counsel.
• Collaborates with UH units, faculty, center directors, and staff to manage programs and initiatives of the Office of Technology Transfer and Innovation.
• Implements technology transfer service policies in line with laws, regulations, and UH policies.
• Ensures financial and administrative compliance of IP activities.
• Manages financial obligations with outside counsel.
• Recommends changes in IP business operations related to research agreements, copyrights, patents, royalties, licenses, and consortia agreements.
• Facilitates UH System Intellectual Property Committee meetings to review IP policies and disclosures.
• Assists with strategic planning for interdisciplinary research projects and tech transfer initiatives and business operations.
• Analyzes information to assist management decisions and supports VP Energy and Innovation leadership.
• Performs other related duties.

Skills

Analytical and technical discipline

Knowledge of patent laws

Education

Terminal degree in a related discipline

Job description

Department:Office of Tech Trnsfr & InnovaSalary:127,300 - 146,400

Description:

Under general supervision, manages and implements technology transfer and intellectual property activities. Assists the VP for Energy and Innovation and Energy and Innovation executive leadership with management of intellectual property assets created within UH and UH system.

• 1. Manages intellectual property, identifies potential inventions, disclosures, and patent applications.
• 2. Responsible for patent prosecution, patent portfolio strategy, and directs the processing of patent applications. Serves as a liaison with outside counsel.
• 3. Works collaboratively with University of Houston administrative units, faculty, center directors, and staff within the Division of Energy and Innovation to manage special programs, projects, and initiatives of the Office of Technology Transfer and Innovation.
• 4. Responsible for the implementation, modification, and operation of technology transfer service policies in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, agency regulations, and UHS policies and procedures.
• 5. Ensures financial and administrative compliance of intellectual property activities.
• 6. Responsible for managing financial obligations with outside counsel.
• 7. Reviews and recommends changes in intellectual property business operations to Energy and Innovation executive leadership with regard to research agreements, copyrights, patents, royalties, licenses, and consortia agreements.
• 8. Facilitates organization and implementation of UH System Intellectual Property Committee meetings to review and discuss intellectual property policies, pending disclosures, and patent submission.
• 9. Assists with strategic planning and implementation of major interdisciplinary research projects and technology transfer initiatives and business operations.
• 10. Complies and analyzes relevant information to facilitate management decisions and serves as a resource to the VP of Energy and Innovation and Energy and Innovation executive leadership.
• 11. Performs other job-related duties as required.

MQ: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related terminal degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Experience: Requires a minimum of seven (7) years of directly job-related experience. Preferred: Ten (10) years of directly job-related experience, preferably in an academic technology transfer office, deep familiarity with patent laws, patent applications and management, and patent prosecution. Registered Patent Agent, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Certification/Licensing: None.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.