Licensing Manager

Drexel University; Pennsylvania; Remote; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University, via the Office of Applied Innovation, seeks a Licensing Manager to evaluate inventions, protect intellectual property and drive industry collaborations. You will manage licensing negotiations and support research sponsorship, while engaging faculty and external partners.

The role emphasizes life sciences and engineering disciplines, with hybrid/remote flexibility and campus event participation. Ideal candidates have strong negotiation and project-management skills.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, life sciences or biomedical engineering or equivalent mix of education/experience.
• Minimum 3 years in technology commercialization.
• Experience managing multiple tasks and projects.
• Knowledge of life sciences, engineering/technology or biomedical engineering domains.
• Excellent analytical, negotiating and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate inventions for protection and support patenting and agreements.
• Build relationships with faculty, staff, outside providers, companies and entrepreneurs.
• Identify and analyze commercial potential, develop commercialization strategies and marketing efforts.
• Draft/finish term sheets, confidentiality agreements, licenses and inter-institutional agreements.
• Educate the Drexel community about Drexel Applied Innovation and promote innovation culture.

Skills

Technology commercialization

Project management

Time management

Communication

Self-motivation

Attention to detail

On-site presence

Independence

Education

Master's degree in engineering, life sciences, or biomedical engineering

PhD in engineering, life sciences, or biomedical engineering (preferred)

Job description

Job Summary

The Office of Applied Innovation is seeking to hire a Licensing Manager. Drexel Applied Innovation, a unit within Drexel University's Office of Research & Innovation, expands the impact of Drexel research through technology transfer. The team focuses on two core functions: Intellectual Property & Agreements, and Industry Engagement. Applied Innovation is also responsible for playing a leadership role in elevating the University's innovation ecosystem by collaborating with a variety of university-wide initiatives and stakeholders to support Drexel innovators, such as entrepreneurial and translational research programs. At the direction of and under the supervision of the Director of IP & Agreements, this position will focus on technologies in life sciences and engineering/tech disciplines and be part of a multidisciplinary team covering the breadth of Drexel's research expertise.

Essential Functions

• Essential Functions As a member of the Intellectual Property (IP) & Agreements team, the Licensing Manager will:
  • Evaluate Drexel inventions and discoveries for potential protection.
  • Protect qualifying Drexel discoveries and innovation through patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.
  • Develop supportive relationships and contribute to timely and high-quality contracts and agreements to support tech transfer and industry sponsored research.
• Relationship building and Customer Service.
  • Connect and collaborate with faculty, professional and administrative staff, outside service providers, companies, investors, and entrepreneurs.
• Assess and commercialize inventions:
  • Identify research programs and discoveries with commercial potential.
  • Drive the process for analyzing the commercial potential of Drexel technologies, developing, and executing commercialization strategies, and execute marketing and business development efforts.
• Review and negotiate agreements:
  • Draft and complete term sheets, confidentiality agreements, options, licenses and inter-institutional agreements, memoranda of understanding, material transfer agreements and other agreements and contracts necessary in the licensing process.
• Education and training:
  • As a member of Drexel Applied Innovation, educate the Drexel community about Drexel Applied Innovation services and promote the culture of innovation.
• Hybrid work. Primarily Remote, with some time required on campus/at events.
• Other related duties as assigned by Director, IP & Agreements and Asst Vice Provost, Applied Innovation.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a master's degree in engineering, life sciences, or biomedical engineering discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information).
• Minimum of At least 3 years related experience in technology commercialization.
• Experience in managing a large, diverse set of tasks and projects.
• Knowledge of disciplines relevant to the university's programs in life sciences, engineering/technology or biomedical engineering.
• Must process excellent analytical and negotiating skills.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Independent self-starter and strong work ethic.
• Good attention to details, follow through and closing.
• Availability to work on campus and attend campus/Philadelphia innovation ecosystem events, as occasionally required.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, life sciences, or biomedical engineering discipline or an equivalent combination of education.
• Experience in academic technology transfer.
• Experience in corporate or academic business development.
• Evidence of creative problem-solving, entrepreneurship, initiative, and intellectual curiosity.
• Demonstrated ability to work energetically and produce results.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Lifting demands 25lbs

Location

• Remote

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade N. Compensation for this grade ranges from $99,720.00 - $149,580.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

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