Director of Ideation & IP

Title: Director of Ideation & IP

Employee Classification: Dir, Ideation & IP

Campus: University of North Texas - Health Science Center

Division: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

SubDivision-Department: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

Department: HSC-HSC Next-390040

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Department Summary

The mission of HSC Next is to guide the growth of innovators and their ideas into solutions for a healthier community. HSC Next does this by supporting HSC faculty, students, and staff, as well as regional entrepreneurs and startups through a variety of programs. These include managing the HSC IP portfolio, running ideation activities, incubating startup companies on the HSC campus and educating students to develop an innovative mindset.

Position Overview

This strategic leader will direct all commercialization activities related to HSC innovations, including identification, evaluation, protection, marketing and licensing. They will also build and manage commercialization partnerships for HSC. The leader will also design and implement ideation initiatives that will lead to engagement with innovators at the earliest stages - when all they have are ideas. Ideation initiatives are a novel approach to stimulating innovation on the HSC campus. This role will lead the Ideation and IP team at HSC Next and will be crucial to supporting innovators and building a culture of innovation at HSC.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate degree in life science, business, law or some other field related to innovation commercialization or entrepreneurship and 7 years of related experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strategic relations with colleagues, coworkers, constituents and volunteers.
• Ability to problem-solve a variety of situations.
• Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.
• Knowledge of legal contracts and business law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal graduate degree in a life science field
• Experience working in a small university technology commercialization office
• Experience managing ideation or proof-of-concept activities
• Private sector experience as an inventor

Required License/Registration/Certifications

• N/A

Job Duties:

• Direct all commercialization activities related to HSC innovations, including identification, evaluation, protection, marketing and licensing; Execute and manage across the full lifecycle, commercialization partnerships with private sector parties.
• Develop and manage programs for engaging with campus stakeholders at the ideation stage, helping stakeholders evaluate their ideas and supporting early-stage, proof-of-concept testing of the most promising ideas.
• Develop and implement strategies for growing the HSC portfolio of commercializable innovations and advance them along the innovation pipeline.
• Develop and maintain a trusting rapport with campus stakeholders (colleges, departments, faculty, staff and students)
• Manage, mentor and support the professional development of direct reports. - (Essential)
• Develop and manage budget for Ideation and IP unit; Interpret and apply applicable policies, such as the HSC Intellectual Property Policy, to unit operation.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule:

Regular business hours Monday through Friday, with occasional events after normal business hours

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

N/A

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) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System 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 an investigative proceeding or hearing.