Innovation Manager

University of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UM Ventures, College Park, part of the University of Maryland, seeks an Innovation Manager to oversee innovations from disclosure through licensing and IP protection, coordinating with faculty, staff, students, patent attorneys, and licensees.

Responsibilities include evaluating marketability, preparing marketing information, negotiating license terms, and guiding external counsel on IP matters; reports to Executive Director, UM Ventures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 3 years of patents, copyrights, trademarks, or tech commercialization experience.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws regarding technology transfer and IP.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess innovations, determine marketability, and prepare concise marketing information.
• Prepare confidential disclosure agreements.
• Negotiate terms and draft license agreements per UM standard forms.
• Coordinate and manage IP activities with external legal counsel.

Skills

Negotiation

Marketing

Communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree with six years experience

Master's degree or MBA

JD (Law)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

UM Ventures, College Park accelerates knowledge creation and dissemination that can scale the impact of UMD research by transforming laboratory discoveries into products and services that deliver economic and societal benefit.

In its mission to scale UMD impact, UM Ventures, College Park leverages a variety of services and resources for faculty, staff, and students to protect intellectual property, build partnerships with business and government, and return investment to the University and its stakeholders through technology licensing and startup formation. From the laboratory to the marketplace, UM Ventures, College Park provides end-to-end support for researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners.

Job Description Summary:

The Innovation Manager manages innovations originating across the University of Maryland's research enterprise, from disclosure through marketing, licensing, and issuing and maintaining patents, copyrights, and trademarks. This position requires interaction with faculty, staff, students, patent attorneys, joint owners, and licensees (current and potential).

The Innovation Manager's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• assessment of the innovations, determination of the marketability (including preparation of concise marketing information) and appropriate intellectual property protection required (e.g., patent, trademark, and/or copyright)
• preparation and execution of confidential disclosure agreements
• negotiation of terms and preparation of draft license agreements consistent with UMD's standard form agreements for review and signature of the Executive Director, UM Ventures
• management of intellectual property activities of external legal counsel

The Innovation Manager reports to the Executive Director of UM Ventures, College Park.

PREFERENCES:

Education:

• Ph.D. Preferred.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with six (6) years of experience; or Master's degree; MBA; or law (JD) and at least four (4) years of related experience.

Experience:

• Relevant experience in commercializing technology may include experience in entrepreneurship, technology transfer, licensing, or business development in an academic, government, or corporate setting.
• Experience with intellectual property (patents, copyright, trademark protection); working knowledge of open-source licenses.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of federal and state laws regarding technology transfer and intellectual property. Understanding of commercialization processes.
• Technical background and ability to understand/interpret a wide range of innovations.
• Ability to understand business and legal concepts relevant to technology transfer and communicate the same effectively.
• Ability to interact effectively in an academic and corporate setting.
• Ability to problem solve and work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Possess strong negotiation and marketing skills.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks at the same time and under time constraints.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and tact while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to project a professional and positive image of the office and the university.
• Independent self-starter with a strong work ethic.

Licenses/Certifications: N/A

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three (3) years of professional patents, copyrights, trademarks, or commercializing technology experience. The position may or may not involve supervisory responsibilities.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Knowledge of federal and state laws regarding technology transfer and intellectual property.

Knowledge of commercialization processes.

Skill in oral and written communication.

Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.

Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials: Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcript.

Best Consideration Date: September 2, 2026

Open Until Filled: Y

Job Risks: Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required: No For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website .

Department: VPR-EconDev-UM Ventures, College Park

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