University of California, Merced · 14 hours ago
Industry Alliance Specialist 4 (Local Hybrid)
Merced, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$113K/yr - $133K/yr
5+ years expThe University of California, Merced is a leading R1 research university seeking an Industry Alliance Specialist 4. This role involves managing programs that support technology commercialization and the formation of university-associated startups, while engaging with innovators and industry representatives to facilitate funding and growth opportunities.
Education
Hiring Manager
Rosana McKinney, MA, SPHR
Responsibilities
Cultivate a pipeline of innovators and startups by engaging with diverse groups of university-associated entrepreneurs, academic departments, labs, and centers, as well as student classes, program, and clubs and assessing research and innovation activities for new technology commercialization opportunities
Identify barriers to new startup formation that exist for university-associated innovators and entrepreneurs and develop strategies to overcome them
Manage relationships with portfolio innovators and startups, regularly assessing needs, effectively moving through program workflows, and proactively identifying and solving problems
Assist entrepreneurs with navigating internal policies and processes relevant to university innovators, startup founders, and executives, including intellectual property, conflicts of interest and commitment, and other compliance aspects
Develop and manage innovation and entrepreneurship programs and partnerships, organize workshops and events, effectively deliver services, provide business guidance, and facilitate connections to internal and external resources and networks to support the formation and growth of university-associated startups
Collaborate with partners to coordinate and support innovation and entrepreneurship programs and activities, including but not limited to NSF iCorps and Blackstone LaunchPad
Develop and manage mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence programs focused on providing dedicated support and strategic guidance to innovators and startups
Develop educational content, mentor pipeline, and support to capture Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) funding
Work closely with AVC and other partners to develop specific strategies for soliciting targeted support for OTIIR initiatives developed to support translational research, technology commercialization, and startups
Enable investment opportunities by developing relationships with incubators, accelerators, and investors focused on startups, establishing regular mechanisms for engagement, and facilitating connections and follow-up actions with innovators and startups
Conceptualize and implement preferred investor and partner programs targeting relationships with core interest areas aligned with university innovation and startup strengths
Facilitate corporate partnership opportunities by attending industry conferences and innovation events, organize partnering activities involving innovators and startups, and managing follow-up activities
Work closely with AVC and other partners to develop strategies for establishing proof-of-concept, seed, and venture investment funds targeting university-associated technologies and startups
Support internal and external communications activities and initiatives that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization and raise the visibility of innovators, technologies, and startups among key audiences
Represent unit at campus and community events, develop marketing materials, and create and provide presentations to academic, investor, and business audiences
Conduct research and analyze trends and opportunities in intellectual property, investment, technology commercialization, and business dynamics to inform engagement with team, partners, innovators, and startups
Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators for innovation, and new venture resources and industry and investor engagement activities and regularly evaluate metrics for quality improvement
Performs other duties/special projects as assigned. May lead other lower-level staff
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in STEM field or Business, Business Administration or related field
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for program or project management activities, or equivalent education/training or experience. A master's degree is preferred but may not substitute for the required years of experience
Experience and deep understanding of faculty and programmatic research interests within the University. Understanding of partnership agreements, patent law, licensing, and commercialization
Skilled communicator: includes verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, and advising and counseling skills. Ability to use discretion and respect confidentiality
Demonstrated interpersonal skills to establish and maintain working relationships with colleagues, faculty, donors, and industry partners, with an emphasis on collaboration, tact, diplomacy, flexibility, professionalism, and discretion
Advanced organizational and project management skills. Ability to lead a team, prioritize personal and team tasks, and see projects through from inception to completion on schedule
Ability to perform all commonly applicable functions of Microsoft Suite. Advanced knowledge of software applications specific to industry alliance programs. Ability to teach others
Ability to break down complex concepts and tailor communication to industry partner unique needs and interests
Knowledge of University of California policies and rules governing intellectual property, equity, licensing, technology transfer, and related conflicts of interest and commitment policies and ethical requirements
Experience developing business plans, financial models, investment pitches, and business development and fundraising strategies
Experience working in both academic and corporate environments to provide guidance on and engage in translational research and technology commercialization
Preferred
Advanced degree such as Master of Business Administration (MBA) or in Economics, Finance, Marketing, STEM or related area
Benefits
Full University of California benefits
Company
University of California, Merced
University of California system and the first American research university of the 21st century.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.15MKey Investors
Hearst Foundations
2022-01-19Grant· $0.15M
Leadership Team
Daniel Okoli, PhD, MBA, AIA, AUA, NCARB, CEFP
Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer
Bhavna Gundamaraju
Catwaves: UC Merced Radio Founder
Recent News
News-Medical.Net
2025-11-04
Company data provided by crunchbase