Indiana University · 6 hours ago
Director of Technology Development (Innovation and Commercial Leader)
Indianapolis, IN
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
10+ years expIndiana University is a leading research institution committed to fostering innovation and commercialization. The Director of Technology Development will oversee technology transfer processes, manage faculty engagement, and support the commercialization of intellectual property to enhance the university's research impact.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Manages day to day activities and processes related to faculty engagement for technology development, patenting, and research commercialization strategy development
Oversees technology transfer processes, including but not limited to increasing invention disclosures, provisional patent drafting, patenting, faculty outreach, technology market evaluation, and stage gate evaluation of technologies
Evaluates industry technology markets, early-stage technologies, drafts technology marketing materials, and has a firm understanding of intellectual property processes and timelines
Ensures that the ICO technology development activities are integrated and coordinated so that researchers are supported by service-oriented employees responsible for promoting innovation and commercialization
Serves diverse stakeholders in developing and commercializing transformational science
Collaborates across the university with stakeholders, including academic departments, research centers, and institutes, to identify areas to create effective learning opportunities for faculty around technology development
Leads ICO training programs, such as the Faculty Innovation Ambassador Program
Supports the activities other research offices, such as the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) and the Office or Research Administration (ORA)
Facilitates a clear understanding of intellectual property among the university faculty on how inventions and technologies are protected and commercialized
Develops and implements educational programs and initiatives for faculty, research scientists, and graduate students on topics related to technology commercialization and innovation planning
Represents the University at state and national level meetings concerning technology transfer, commercialization, and intellectual property
Contributes on senior leadership teams to formulate strategic planning and the highest-level operational objectives for Innovation and Commercialization
Establishes long-term business plans and long-term strategic objectives
Directs leadership staff who provide supervision to Innovation and Commercialization teams
Responsible for escalated operational issues, including human resources and/or people management situations
Drives innovation and excellence within the area of Innovation and Commercialization; reviews and creates policies and procedures
Determines overall budget for Innovation and Commercialization teams; reviews and approves financial proposals from direct reporting leaders; has significant fiscal responsibilities that require frequent interaction with executive leaders
Provides expertise and identifies grant and/or funding opportunities; develops business relationships across the university and externally
Stays up-to-date on new Innovation and Commercialization standards, technologies, policies, and procedures and works collaboratively with other Innovation and Commercialization leaders across departments and/or campuses in determining standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures; ensures the adoption and implementation by direct reporting leaders
Serves diverse stakeholders in developing and commercializing transformational science
Supports educational programs and initiatives for faculty, research scientists, and graduate students on topics related to technology commercialization and innovation planning
Provides leadership and oversight of Technology Development and Licensing
Ensures that the ICO technology development and licensing activities are integrated and coordinated so that researchers are supported by service-oriented employees responsible for promoting innovation and commercialization
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in science related field
10 years of relevant experience
Effective leadership skills
Excellent collaboration and team building skills
Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
Demonstrates ability to maintain confidential information
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Effective communication skills, spoken and digital
Proficient written and verbal communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Excellent organizational skills
Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
Effective conflict management skills
Builds and manages effective teams
Ability to represent the company with external constituents
Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
Demonstrates problem solving skills
Strong verbal communication and listening skills
Preferred
Ph.D. or terminal degree in a science related field
10 years of experience leading or managing intellectual property development, technology transfer, and technology commercialization research
Experience in stewarding intellectual property with industry, non-profits, and universities
Technology transfer experience in an academic setting
Experience as an entrepreneur in a technology-based start-up
Experience in successful commercialization of university-based discoveries
Demonstrates understanding of federal and state laws regarding intellectual property and technology transfer
Demonstrates experience in academic scientific research and innovation
Demonstrates experience of the patenting process, timelines, strategies, and costs
Demonstrates understanding of the stage gate process
Team-oriented strategist
Ability to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies
Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with faculty, which includes encouraging faculty to disclose IU-generated intellectual property and to participate in aspects of the commercialization process
Ability to work on multiple tasks at the same time and under time constraints
Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and tact while maintaining confidentiality
Strong data management skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, university administrators, patent law firms, and potential industrial partners
Demonstrates competence in driving consensus and building effective teams and mentoring junior staff
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Company
Indiana University
Indiana University looked for ways to promote innovation while assisting students in building better futures.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Indiana University 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 (187)
2024 (146)
2023 (127)
2022 (119)
2021 (81)
2020 (79)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Nancy Paton
Vice President & Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Aaron Neal
Deputy CIO
Recent News
Inside INdiana Business
2026-01-13
2025-10-31
Company data provided by crunchbase