Reports to: Associate Provost, Research

Purpose: Senior Director, Technology Transfer will lead all aspects of the University's technology transfer operations, including identifying, protecting, marketing, and licensing its intellectual property assets, managing license compliance, and overseeing day-to-day operations of the Office of Technology Transfer, as well as liaising with other relevant offices across the University. S/he will have the unique opportunity to work with an inspiring group of innovators and staff members who are passionate about developing technologies and excited about commercialization opportunities

The Senior Director for Technology Transfer will develop a program that fosters a culture of innovation on campus. S/he will develop and implement technology transfer strategies to maximize benefit to University stakeholders, developing, reviewing, and recommending updates of relevant policies in consultation with appropriate University stakeholders that facilitate technology sourcing, evaluation, and commercialization through licensing

Responsibilities:

Scouting & Intellectual Property Portfolio Management

• Design and implement a comprehensive scouting plan for the office to effectively serve all on-campus innovators while building faculty trust through consistent and meaningful contact
• Proactively analyze processes and implement to enhance on-campus scouting activities
• Implement and update where needed a systematic process for evaluation and assessment of innovations disclosed by The American University in Cairo researchers for commercial and public impact potential
• Search and secure the most effective and appropriate research tools for the office to conduct the various degrees of assessment of patentability, commercial viability, public impact, and protection enforceability required for decision making along each innovation’s lifespan
• Manage all aspects of patent prosecution of AUC innovations including securing agreements with outside patent council for prosecution, filing strategies and jurisdictions, conversions, and continuations, and dropping prosecution of applications deemed no longer worth pursuing while consulting with the University office of Legal Affairs when necessary

Prospecting and External Community Engagement

• Manage and oversee all marketing efforts for AUC technologies and innovations, in coordination with all relevant cross-functional campus offices, towards successful prospecting of licensee outreach
• Represent the University on relevant Intellectual Property (IP) , research and technology transfer matters at conferences, industry events, to corporate partners, government agencies, and other relevant organizations
• Develop and maintain strong relations with relevant stakeholders locally and internationally
• Actively participate in, and/or initiative where relevant, national, regional, and international initiatives, enhancing the general operating environment for technology transfer and other relevant research and innovation aspects
• Direct the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) support to AUC community members for and beyond license agreements, where needed, especially in relation to further technology validation and/or entrepreneurial components
• Manage prospecting efforts to secure business-driven research sponsorship opportunities
• Serve as the point of contact for all licensees and other partners, working closely with all relevant university offices such as Communication, Legal Affairs, Sponsored Research, etc. during the review and drafting of relevant agreements in accordance with University Policy
• Develop dissemination strategies for enhancing the visibility of the Universitie’s licensed innovations as well as the visibility of the Technology Transfer Office, both internally and externally
• Develop and manage concepts and content for the office website, events, databases and other marketing vehicles
• Ensure confidentiality of AUC intellectual assets while prospecting and secure confidentiality agreements, when relevant, for technologies being considered for licensing

Technology Licensing/Commercialization

• Manage negotiations for technology licenses and other major IP related agreements for the University and serve as the point of contact for licensees and other partners, in coordination and consultation with relevant University offices
• Manage the design of meaningful valuation models and strategies for technologies under consideration for licensing
• Manage all post-license deal compliance for University licensees including diligence milestones, royalty and other payment collection, reporting, and audits when necessary
• Develop and advise on optimum protection and commercialization strategies for AUC technologies
• Ensure all University obligations and best interests in each license agreement are under consideration
• Building market knowledge and a high level of understanding of relevant market sectors
• Provide advice to faculty and students on general IP matters
• Conduct periodic reporting on technology licensing/commercialization
• Direct TTO campus outreach events
• Develop and support academic – industry relations for enhancing innovation

General Engagement and Support for University Community

• Ensure enforcement of the AUC intellectual property policy University wide with regards to technological innovations and inventions and liaise with cross-functional entities and offices within the University to ensure effective implementation of University IP policies including the AUC Venture Lab, Innovation Hub, Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of Legal Affairs, and Office of Communications
• Represent AUC interests in IP matters for all relevant incoming grants and lead the negotiations of terms, in coordination with the Office of Sponsored Programs and other relevant university offices, as necessary
• Serve on University Committees as relevant and requested
• Support, where needed, the Venture Lab and Innovation HUB teams, providing capacity building sessions to concerned beneficiaries
• Attract external grants for furthering technology transfer at AUC and beyond
• Develop and support initiatives that furthers technology transfer at AUC and beyond
• Direct support to concerned university entities for enhancing AUC’s technology transfer and innovation profile

Office Management

• Lead and manage staff members towards the successful implementation of the TTO’s mission
• Provide coaching and relevant career development opportunities for TTO team members
• Manage the annual patent budget and TTO operational budget
• Maintain and further enhance office procedures for effective documentation, review, evaluation and marketing of technologies and inventions for patent protection and licensing to companies and organizations
• Identify and apply current technologies for effective office administration and management of all technology transfer data, entailing agreements, patent and other documents and deadlines, assessments, office metrics, prospect interactions, incoming and outgoing payments etc.
• Identify ways to involve other internal and external parties (e.g. students, alumni, volunteers, etc.) in various office functions and activities as appropriate
• Manage the development and continuous improvement of the office’s custom and self-built Salesforce operations, planning and reporting application
• Manage all aspects of the office’s operations internally within AUC as well as externally where relevant
• Perform any other related duties as assigned

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline. An advanced degree in a relevant field is a plus
• Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) and/or Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) designations a plus.

Experience:

• 8+ years of professional experience in technology transfer or a related field
• Knowledge of and experience with legal requirements for patenting inventions, a strong grasp of legal principles and issues relating to obtaining patents and with respect to licensing and other agreements, and issues relating to tech transfer
• Proven supervisory experience of relevance

Skills:

• Excellent leadership skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong project management skills with ability to meet tight deadlines
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Self-motivated and able to move projects forward with little supervision; ability to work both collaboratively and independently in a collegial fashion
• Understanding of individual innovator needs and perceptions as well as those of potential licensees
• Creativity, curiosity, and an enthusiasm for meeting and working with a wide range of individuals and groups
• Ability to build effective relations with cross-functional partners across internally (relevant University stakeholders and offices) and externally (investors, key industry in-licensing relevant personnel, entrepreneurs, key relevant government officials, technology transfer peers globally, and others)
• Commitment to the highest level of customer service; demonstrated professional demeanour
• Strong work ethics

This position is open until November 18, 2023

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the shortlist will be contacted.

"The American University in Cairo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply."

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”