Position Description

Responsible for leading the university’s offices and efforts in technology commercialization, corporate partnerships, and venture development for sponsored research and education, as well as building an institutional culture to support and incentivize innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. Oversees the planning, development and implementation of strategic initiatives and programs that support the University's missions of research and creative and scholarly activity, knowledge advancement, and societal impact.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Ability to efficiently and effectively engage strategically with private sector companies interested in research and educational partnerships and accelerating private sector sponsored research at all three of OU’s campuses.
• Collaborate with the Governor’s office, state, local, and community stakeholders to help attract new companies to the University
• Identify and resolve institutional barriers to innovation, entrepreneurship, venture creation, external partnerships, and intellectual property creation.
• Manage the Intellectual property and commercialization of technologies to scale corporate and private sector engagement and enhance licensing of OU technologies
• Partner and build relationships across campuses and with departments to ensure proper use of resources to enhance the University’s ability to commercialize OU Intellectual Property
• Facilitate the establishment of strategic research partnerships with the State of Oklahoma and private-sector Corporations in key areas of mutual interest
• Partner with legal and others as appropriate to ensure smooth and timely negotiation of contracts, copyrights, patents, licensures, etc.
• In collaboration with General Counsel, interprets laws, regulations, and policies to ensure that the University complies with university, state, and federal policies and procedures associated with intellectual property negotiations with companies
• Works with appropriate University departments and assists in the development and application of policies and procedures to support and incentivize the protection and utilization of OU system intellectual property rights, along with commercial use of OU intellectual property.
• Develops and presents industry partnering training sessions
• Develop annual industry partnership objectives and provide regular reporting on progress of milestones

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience with intellectual property, technology transfer, and licensing.
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend scientific and technical systems as well as business needs.
• Track record of creativity, flexibility, and initiative in planning, launching, and executing projects and products for commercial markets.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and higher education institutional rules and regulations.
• Collaborative mind-set and congenial nature to network and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, outside companies, and other external partners.
• Strong negotiating skills and knowledge of industry practices, with an ability to participate in, advise, and oversee negotiations, drafting and execution of agreements in collaboration with the Office of Legal Counsel.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively – to present ideas, both in writing and orally, in an understandable, non-technical manner, with internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to function successfully in a matrixed, collaborative environment.
• Excellent oral/written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Minimum Requirements:
 
Education: Master’s degree in a scientific, business, or other related discipline

Experience: 10 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA, JD, PhD, or MD/PhD
• Experience with conflicts of interest issues in an academic environment
• Industry research experience
• Venture development and capitalization experience

Application Instructions

The University of Oklahoma has retained the services of the executive search firm Korn Ferry to conduct this important search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted to Korn Ferry at:  ou-cico@KornFerry.com. Initial applications should consist of two documents: 1) a full-length curriculum vitae and 2) a letter describing why you interested in both the position and the University environment; why you are a good fit for the position based on your experience; and why now is a good time for you to consider the opportunity. For priority consideration, please submit application materials in confidence by August 1, 2024.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to:  admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides.