University of Oklahoma · 1 day ago
Associate Director of Technology Commercialization
Oklahoma City, OK
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expThe University of Oklahoma is seeking an Associate Director of Technology Commercialization to oversee and enhance the university's technology transfer, patent management, and licensing activities. This role combines operational leadership with strategic growth initiatives to expand commercialization opportunities and strengthen industry partnerships.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Serve as a primary point of contact for university researchers, improving response times and facilitating smoother communication between inventors, legal counsel, and industry representatives
Assist the Director in managing daily operations of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), including supervising staff and ensuring consistent, efficient work flow across technology evaluation, patent management, and licensing activities
Translate complex scientific and technical data into clear, market-relevant language by collaborating with scientists and engineers to identify potential product applications and viable commercialization pathways
Oversee project pipelines to ensure timely execution of agreements and effective coordination among team members
Lead initiatives that expand commercialization opportunities, strengthen relationships with external partners, and enhance the university's reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship
Identify emerging markets and technologies for potential licensing and partnership development
Collaborate with senior leadership to implement strategic goals that align with institutional priorities
Promote awareness of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) services and intellectual property processes among faculty and research staff
Support the Director in ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
Maintain accurate internal and external reporting on licensing activity, invention disclosures, patents, and revenue
Work closely with legal and compliance teams to uphold intellectual property standards and best practices
Provide leadership stability and operational continuity within the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) during periods of transition or expansion
Mentor junior staff and contribute to developing a high-performing, collaborative team environment
Negotiate, execute, and manage licensing agreements, renewals, and amendments in coordination with university policies
Maintain strong relationships with licensees, ensuring compliance with contract terms and monitoring financial performance
Collaborate with finance, legal, and research offices to support royalty tracking, reporting, and audit processes
Monitor industry trends and identify new areas for commercialization and partnership development
Evaluate and analyze new invention disclosures by conducting initial reviews, meeting with key stakeholders, identifying and engaging industry reviewers, and distributing relevant materials this includes collecting feedback, assess findings, and provide necessary notifications and recommendations
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Masters degree in a relevant field (e.g., Biology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related discipline)
5 years of related experience with at least 3 years within an academic environment
Strong leadership and staff management skills
Understanding of federal and state regulations affecting intellectual property, research, and commercialization activities
Proven ability to develop and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
Demonstrated knowledge of scientific principles, technology transfer processes, and market dynamics to effectively bridge the gap between research innovation and commercial opportunity
Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills
Project management and organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives and meet deadlines
Strategic thinker with a commitment to advancing innovation and economic development
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information related to intellectual property, licensing agreements, and research projects
In-depth understanding of intellectual property law, patent processes, licensing, and technology commercialization
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and emerging opportunities in a fast-paced environment
Ability to translate complex scientific and technical information into clear, market-relevant insights by leveraging strong collaboration skills with scientists and engineers to identify product applications and commercialization pathways
Company
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a public research university that provides variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in multiple fields.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Oklahoma has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (106)
2024 (96)
2023 (83)
2022 (104)
2021 (87)
2020 (68)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$35.4MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyUS Department of Commerce, Economic Development AdministationAir Force Research Laboratory
2024-03-13Grant· $3.1M
2023-11-09Grant· $1.9M
2023-04-05Grant· $8.7M
Leadership Team
Mark Yeary
Co-Founder, Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC)
Marcus Bowman
Deputy Athletic Director, CFO & Business Strategy
Recent News
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