Director/Office of Innovation and Commercialization

New Mexico Tech; Socorro (NM); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Tech in Socorro, NM seeks a dynamic Director of Innovation and Commercialization to champion the university’s entrepreneurial mission. You will lead IP strategy, align licensing opportunities, and collaborate with internal departments and external partners to drive university-wide commercialization.

The role reports to the Vice President for Research and requires strong fiscal/operational management. On-site in Socorro, NM with engagement across the regional innovation ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills with stakeholders at all levels.
• >5 years of experience in entrepreneurial environments.
• Proven experience navigating intellectual property, technology transfer, and university-to-market pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and oversight for the university's IP portfolio and commercialization strategies.
• Develop, refine, and implement IP-related policies including patenting, licensing, and commercialization opportunities.
• Lead IP commercialization efforts in partnership with the Research Park Corporation and its Board.
• Bridge the gap between inventors and external entrepreneurs, investors, and industry across the state and nation.

Skills

Communication

Entrepreneurial experience

IP/Tech transfer navigation

Education

Master's Degree

PhD preferred

Job description

Director of Office of Innovation Commercialization

Reporting to the Vice President for Research |

Socorro, New Mexico

New Mexico Tech (NMT) is seeking an innovative, dynamic, and collaborative Director of Innovation and Commercialization. In this pivotal leadership role, the Director will champion New Mexico Tech’s mission as an entrepreneurial university and serves as the primary catalyst connecting New Mexico Tech’s community of faculty, student, and staff inventors with the regional and national entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The position reports directly to the Vice President for Research and collaborates closely with faculty, research center staff and directors, the New Mexico Tech University Research Park Corporation, and external partners. The Director will have a direct, visible impact on shaping the university's entrepreneurial legacy, working closely with top-tier researchers who are changing the world.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and oversight for New Mexico Techs intellectual property (IP) portfolio and commercialization strategies.


• IP & Policy Management: Develop, refine, and implement policies related to patenting, intellectual property, and licensing opportunities.


• IP commercialization: Lead the efforts and partner with the New Mexico Tech University Research Park Corporation (NMTURPC) and its Board to actively seek out and secure commercialization and licensing pathways for NMT intellectual property and patents.


• Ecosystem Integration: Facilitate bridging the gap between New Mexico Tech inventors and external entrepreneurs, investors, and industry innovators across the State and Nation.


• Campus Engagement: Work hand-in-hand with both academic and non-academic departments to develop and execute active plans for safeguarding and commercializing university IP.

What We Are Looking For:

• An individual with excellent communication skills who can communicate effectively with faculty, researchers, students, New Mexico Tech executive staff at all levels, members of the Board of Directors of the NMTURPC and with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry innovators across the state and the nation.


• Someone with experience (>5 years) in entrepreneurial environments and who is innovative, proactive, and energized by the unique ecosystem of a focused STEM research institution.


• Proven experience and success in navigating the complexities of intellectual property, technology transfer, and university-to-market pipelines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters degree required, PhD degree preferred. Graduate degree in STEM field preferred, and acceptable in entrepreneurship, business administration, finance, or related discipline, but only with demonstrated relevant experience in tech transfer and commercialization at a STEM university or organization.


• Demonstrated record of fiscal and operational management.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time.

The primary location of the position is on-site in Socorro, NM.

For questions or additional information please contact Vice President for Research Lique Coolen at [e-mail]

New Mexico Tech is an Equal Opportunity / Aff…