Director of IP Management

AUTM; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Houston is seeking an experienced IP Manager to lead technology transfer and intellectual property activities. You will report to the Assistant VP for IP and Industrial Engagement and support the VP for Energy and Innovation and leadership in managing IP assets within UH and UH system.

The role involves strategizing patent portfolios, ensuring compliance, and coordinating with outside counsel to prosecute patents, while collaborating across UH units on major interdisciplinary

Qualifications

• Requires J.D. and USPTO registration.
• Bachelor of Science or higher in STEM.
• Minimum seven years of directly related experience; ten years preferred.
• Registered Patent Agent (USPTO) is preferred; no licensing is required.

Responsibilities

• Manages intellectual property, identifies potential inventions, disclosures, and patent applications.
• Responsible for patent prosecution, patent portfolio strategy, and directs the processing of patent applications; serves as liaison with outside counsel.
• Works collaboratively with University of Houston administrative units, faculty, center directors, and staff within the Division of Energy and Innovation to manage projects of the Office of Technology Transfer and Innovation.
• Implements and operates technology transfer service policies in line with Federal/State laws and UH System policies.
• Ensures financial and administrative compliance of IP activities.
• Manages financial obligations with outside counsel.
• Reviews and suggests changes in IP operations regarding research agreements, copyrights, patents, licenses, and consortia agreements.
• Facilitates UH System Intellectual Property Committee meetings to review IP policies and disclosures.
• Assists with strategic planning and implementation of interdisciplinary research projects and tech transfer initiatives.
• Provides data and analysis to support management decisions for the VP and executive leadership.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Patent portfolio management

Liaison with outside counsel

Strategic planning

Technology transfer

IP management

Education

J.D. and USPTO registration

B.S. or higher in STEM

Job description

Manages and implements technology transfer and intellectual property activities. Reports to Asst. VP for IP and Industrial Engagement. 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.

Job Responsibilities

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 UH System 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.

Education

Requires J.D. and USPTO registration, and B.S. or higher degree in STEM discipline (Engineering or Science).

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.