Executive Director, Innovation & Commercialization

Title: Executive Director, Innovation & Commercialization

Employee Classification: Exec Dir Innovation & Comm

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Research & Innovation

SubDivision-Department: UNT-Research & Innovation

Department: UNT-Innovation & Commercialization-190300

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Salary to commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Innovation and Commercialization unit within the Division of Research & Innovation, empowers researchers to transform discoveries into products, services, and companies. The team provides university researchers with services to support navigating the intellectual property and patent processes, development of licensing agreements with strategic industry partners, mentorship in creating startups and pursuing entrepreneurship, and administering commercialization education programs that help forge paths from academic innovation to real-world application.

Position Overview

The Executive Director for Innovation and Commercialization serves as the “Chief Innovation Officer” at UNT, leading the Innovation & Commercialization (I&C) unit within the Division of Research & Innovation. This position develops strategic initiatives to increase the scale of technology transfer and commercialization output, as outlined in the "Look North" UNT Strategic Plan. Tasked with achieving these grow metrics, the Executive Director will implement strategies focused on: building and managing a high-performing team that provides excellent service to faculty, staff, and student researchers to help facilitate the translation of research discovery into commercially viable products; cultivating relationships between researchers and industry stakeholders to foster commercialization partnerships; and developing data-driven programming and products that support the growth of UNT's research innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Executive Director for Innovation & Commercialization reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, with a dotted line to the Office of the President, to also provide support for UNT initiatives that drive talent and workforce development efforts and ensures the university is competitively contributing to the continued economic growth of the North Texas region and throughout the state.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related field and ten years of closely related professional experience; or any equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge in intellectual property, tech transfer, patents, licensing, and startup company support within a higher education university setting
• Familiarity with technology solutions and data analytics platforms that support technology transfer offices
• Proven track record in leading a tech transfer office, deep understanding of the commercialization process, start-up companies, and working with stakeholders including industry and local government economic boards
• Demonstrated success in designing and launching new initiatives from concept to implementation
• Proven track record in convening cross-sector stakeholder groups and experience with managing a variety of stakeholders with differing interests
• Experience in creating and managing data-driven workforce development initiatives
• Strong team building and management skills with experience supporting faculty researchers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven record of managing executive-level relationships with industry, government, and academic leaders
• Ability to think strategically and develop and implement complex plans that incorporate dynamic conditions and a diverse set of stakeholders and interests
• Knowledge of research and innovation best practices within a university setting
• Experienced public speaker and convener with ability to facilitate industry roundtables and stakeholder meetings

Preferred Qualifications

Leadership experience managing technology transfer and commercialization team within higher education setting.

Job Duties

• Implementation of Strategic Leadership: • Build and lead a high-performing and collaborative team of tech transfer and commercialization specialists and support staff • Define and steer the overall innovation and commercialization agenda in alignment with university research strengths, capacity, and strategic industry partnership • Build and sustain an engaged advisory group of external high-performing experts (e.g. entrepreneurs, business leaders, technical experts) for the UNT innovation ecosystem • Connect with division leaders to support the unit and division goals (e.g. data analytics group, research development and events, communications and web design) 
• Management of the Innovation and Commercialization Unit: • Manage and work with staff to develop and communicate optimal tech transfer and commercialization processes • Build and sustain policies and procedures that support the innovation ecosystem • Build a service-focused culture to provide expertise for the UNT research community 
• Development of Higher Education Ecosystem & Regional Impact: • Provide expert advice for contract agreements with industry partners • Develop strategy for usage of UNT resources such as space to foster industry partnerships and entrepreneurial activities • Support the entrepreneurship ecosystem on main campus and UNT Frisco leaning on the expertise of the campus and the and opportunities within the DFW region 
• Implement Strategic Communications & Convening Stakeholders: • Facilitate and engage in the delivery of knowledge regarding tech transfer and commercialization pathways to the university researchers (faculty, students, staff) • Lead strategy for university and industry, and local government convenings centered around innovation, commercialization and the entrepreneurial ecosystem 
• Develop Funding Opportunities for Innovation and Commercialization: • Collaborate with stakeholders to increase financial support for the innovation and commercialization ecosystem (e.g. grants, sponsorships, space leases, patent revenue, etc.) 

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm. Evenings and weekends as needed for work functions

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.