Senior Director, Technology Transfer
George Mason University
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Job summary
George Mason University in Fairfax, VA invites applications for a Senior Director, Technology Transfer. The role leads IP protection, licensing, and commercialization across GMU campuses, translating research into societal impact.
You will guide patent strategy, manage disclosure evaluation, and supervise a team supporting industry engagement and startup activity. This executive position requires strategic thinking, strong communication, and a proven track record in technology transfer
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, and business or law, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least 10 years in technology transfer, IP management, licensing, or a related field within a research-intensive environment.
- Generally, at least 5 years of proven leadership and people management skills.
- Knowledge of technology transfer, IP management, licensing, business development, or a related field within a research-intensive environment.
- Demonstrated skill and success negotiating complex contracts and managing patent expenses.
- Strong understanding/knowledge of the university research environment and ability to translate between academic research and industry needs.
- Demonstrated team leadership and people management skills.
- Ability to translate complex technical research into clear, non-confidential technology descriptions.
- Demonstrated strategic thinking, sound judgment, and ability to work independently in a collaborative environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational abilities.
- Proficiency with MS Office and CRM or database systems; and
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Terminal degree such as a J.D., Ph.D., or MBA.
- Experience in academic technology transfer or commercialization at an R1 institution.
- Experience negotiating IP and licensing for startups.
- Experience with startup formation and early-stage venture financing.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the assessment, protection, and management of intellectual property, including inventions, software, data, and other research outputs.
- Guide patenting and IP strategy in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external legal counsel.
- Oversee the evaluation of invention disclosures for commercial potential and prioritize technologies for investment and advancement.
- Lead negotiation and execution of license agreements, option agreements, NDAs, MTAs, and other IP-related contracts; and
- Assist the Office of Sponsored Programs and University Counsel with intellectual property clauses in university agreements.
- Coordinate with the Associate Vice President to lead operational functions and new initiatives aligned with university strategy.
- Recommend and implement streamlined procedures, systems, and best practices for technology transfer operations.
- Manage staff and build a high-performing team to support invention intake, IP management, licensing, and industry engagement.
- Maintain and enhance reporting, project management, and database systems related to commercialization activities.
- Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and outside counsel; and
- Assist the Vice President of Research with George Mason Research Foundation operations.
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations, including Bayh–Dole requirements, conflict-of-interest policies, and reporting obligations.
- Communicate technology transfer policies and processes to faculty in a manner that fosters understanding, trust, and collaboration; and
- Prepare and present reports to university leadership as required.
- Serve as a liaison between faculty and industry partners to identify and align industry-relevant research opportunities;
- Cultivate and manage relationships with corporations, startups, investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, and government agencies; and
- Promote George Mason technologies through targeted outreach, meetings, presentations, and strategic partnerships.
- Support faculty and student entrepreneurs in navigating commercialization pathways;
- Collaborate with campus entrepreneurship programs, incubators, and economic development organizations; and
- Provide strategic guidance to university-affiliated startups and help reduce barriers to startup formation and growth.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Department: Office Rsrch Innov and Econ Impact
Classification: Administrative Faculty
Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: On Site Required
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
George Mason University has experienced rapid growth over the past several years, resulting in R1 classification, a significant increase in invention disclosures, and a growing portfolio of maturing technologies. With the continued expansion of the regional innovation ecosystem and numerous technology-driven companies in Northern Virginia, the University is advancing its technology transfer and commercialization infrastructure. The Office of Technology Transfer sits in Mason Enterprise, part of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, which leads university-wide efforts related to innovation, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement. The University continues to build a more holistic innovation and business development function to better serve faculty and student innovators, deepen industry partnerships, and contribute to the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Senior Director, Technology Transfer supports the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact's growth. This position reflects a refined, execution-focused leadership model while maintaining strategic responsibility for technology transfer across the University. The Senior Director will play a critical role in translating George Mason’s research discoveries into societal and economic impact through intellectual property protection, commercialization, industry engagement, and startup support. This position fits within George Mason’s highly collaborative and inclusive culture and strongly supports the University’s commitment to research commercialization and entrepreneurship. The Senior Director, Technology Transfer leads the University’s efforts to facilitate the transfer of research discoveries and innovations for public use and benefit. The Senior Director establishes and implements strategies, tools, and procedures to evaluate, protect, market, and commercialize technologies developed by faculty and students. The position has responsibility for technology transfer across all George Mason University campuses. This role requires independent decision-making authority that substantially affects business operations. The Senior Director reports to the Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development and works closely with faculty, university leadership, legal counsel, industry partners, investors, and external stakeholders.
- Lead and oversee the assessment, protection, and management of intellectual property, including inventions, software, data, and other research outputs;
- Guide patenting and IP strategy in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external legal counsel;
- Oversee the evaluation of invention disclosures for commercial potential and prioritize technologies for investment and advancement;
- Lead negotiation and execution of license agreements, option agreements, NDAs, MTAs, and other IP-related contracts; and
- Assist the Office of Sponsored Programs and University Counsel with intellectual property clauses in university agreements.
- Coordinate with the Associate Vice President to lead operational functions and new initiatives aligned with university strategy;
- Recommend and implement streamlined procedures, systems, and best practices for technology transfer operations;
- Manage staff and build a high-performing team to support invention intake, IP management, licensing, and industry engagement;
- Maintain and enhance reporting, project management, and database systems related to commercialization activities;
- Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and outside counsel; and
- Assist the Vice President of Research with George Mason Research Foundation operations.
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations, including Bayh–Dole requirements, conflict-of-interest policies, and reporting obligations;
- Communicate technology transfer policies and processes to faculty in a manner that fosters understanding, trust, and collaboration; and
- Prepare and present reports to university leadership as required.
- Serve as a liaison between faculty and industry partners to identify and align industry-relevant research opportunities;
- Cultivate and manage relationships with corporations, startups, investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, and government agencies; and
- Promote George Mason technologies through targeted outreach, meetings, presentations, and strategic partnerships.
- Support faculty and student entrepreneurs in navigating commercialization pathways;
- Collaborate with campus entrepreneurship programs, incubators, and economic development organizations; and
- Provide strategic guidance to university-affiliated startups and help reduce barriers to startup formation and growth.
- Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, and business or law, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Significant experience (generally at least 10 years) in technology transfer, intellectual property management, licensing, business development, or a related field within a research-intensive environment;
- Generally, at least 5 years of proven leadership and people management skills;
- Knowledge of technology transfer, intellectual property management, licensing, business development, or a related field within a research-intensive environment;
- Demonstrated skill and success negotiating complex contracts and managing patent expenses;
- Strong understanding/knowledge of the university research environment and ability to translate between academic research and industry needs;
- Demonstrated team leadership and people management skills;
- Ability to translate complex technical research into clear, non-confidential technology descriptions;
- Demonstrated strategic thinking, sound judgment, and ability to work independently in a collaborative environment;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Strong organizational abilities;
- Proficiency with MS Office and CRM or database systems; and
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Terminal degree such as a J.D., Ph.D., or MBA;
- Background in computing, cybersecurity, bio-technology, engineering or other high-growth technology domains;
- Significant experience in an academic technology transfer or commercialization office, particularly at an R1 institution;
- Experience negotiating early-stage technology intellectual property and licensing agreements for businesses;
- Experience with startup formation, early-stage venture financing, and entrepreneurial ecosystems;Experience managing outside patent counsel and converting invention disclosures into strong provisional applications;
- Established relationships with industry, investors, or sponsors involved in research or commercialization;
- Experience implementing operational systems in a technology transfer or innovation office; and
- Familiarity with AUTM practices and federal technology transfer regulations.
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials. George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/
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