Senior Associate Director, PCI Ventures

Trustees of University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania seeks a Senior Associate Director for PCI Ventures who will act as the scientific and entrepreneurial lead. You will oversee commercialization advisors and work with Penn faculty to evaluate high-potential technologies, shaping strategies and milestone-driven plans for company formation and growth.

You will lead front-end triage, set expectations for venture-building rigor, and coordinate with Penn's I-Corps when customer discovery is needed. 

Qualifications

• Masters degree and 5-7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• PhD strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop scientific and commercial strategies with faculty to evaluate technologies and define milestone plans.
• Directly supervise senior commercialization advisors, coach project work, and ensure quality.
• Develop and maintain PCI Ventures' commercialization frameworks, playbooks, and review processes.
• Hold office hours for early teams and coordinate with Penn I-Corps for customer discovery.
• Step into projects during transitions or workload gaps to provide senior support.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior Associate Director, PCI Ventures

Job Profile Title

Associate Director, Technology Licensing Senior

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of PCI Ventures, the Senior Associate Director will serve as the scientific and entrepreneurial lead for PCI Ventures, including providing oversight over its commercialization advisors. Working closely with Penn faculty, researchers, and expert network the Senior Associate Director will evaluate high-potential technologies, develop and shape commercialization strategies, identify critical technical and market risks, and create milestone-based development plans for each team, designed to position them for successful company formation and beyond. The Senior Associate Director will also provide mentorship and guidance to members of the PCI Ventures team, helping to strengthen their capabilities in technology assessment, commercialization strategy, and venture development.

The Senior Associate Director will provide day-to-day leadership to the advisors, set expectations for the quality and rigor of venture-building work, and review and pressure-test project strategies and recommendations. Together with the Executive Director, the Senior Associate Director will develop and maintain PCI Ventures' venture-building frameworks and operating practices.

The Senior Associate Director will also lead front-end triage for early opportunities, including office hours for teams that are not yet ready for full PCI Ventures engagement, and will coordinate with Penn's I-Corps program when additional customer discovery is appropriate. The role will not ordinarily maintain a standing project portfolio but will step into projects as needed to provide continuity during senior commercialization advisor transitions, vacancies, or periods of high workload.

The Senior Associate Director will serve as deputy and second-in-command to the Executive Director, represent PCI Ventures internally and externally, and make routine operating decisions when the Executive Director is unavailable. The position will also lead the onboarding and training of new senior commercialization advisors.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Scientific and commercial strategy development: Work with faculty, researchers, and senior commercialization advisor to evaluate technologies, develop commercialization theses, identify key technical and commercial assumptions, and define milestone-based plans for advancing venture opportunities.
• Senior commercialization advisor leadership and quality oversight : Directly supervise the senior commercialization advisors, and provide day-to-day coaching, review project work, and ensure consistent quality and rigor across venture-building activities.
• Venture-building frameworks and operating practices: Partner with the Executive Director to develop and maintain PCI Ventures' commercialization frameworks, playbooks, milestone practices, and project-review processes.
• Early-stage triage and I-Corps coordination : Hold office hours for early teams, assess readiness for PCI Ventures engagement, and coordinate with Penn I-Corps when additional customer discovery is needed.
• Project coverage and continuity : Step into projects as needed during senior commercialization advisor transitions, vacancies, or workload gaps and provide senior scientific and commercial support.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Masters degree and 5-7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required; PhD strongly preferred.
• Personally has d