Senior Technology Manager

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The Senior Technology Manager reports to the Director of the Technology Transfer Office and acts with a high degree of autonomy to assist MSU researchers to identify, protect, and license intellectual property to industry, supporting the TTO core mission of translating MSU research to practice, to maximize its societal impact.

The Montana State University Technology Transfer Office (TTO) has a need for a Senior Technology Manager. The TTO pursues three primary goals: establishing collaborations and working relationships between industry and the research and creative areas of MSU. This includes pursuing industry sponsored research and collaborating on commercial opportunities. Licensing the inventions of MSU faculty and researchers to industry and managing the relationship between the University and its licensee partners. Serving the economic development arm of the University and working with Montana companies and entrepreneurs to leverage the resources of MSU to the benefit of Montana's economy.

The person in this position will be responsible for assisting with technology transfer efforts in identifying and managing MSU intellectual property, performing market research, licensing intellectual property to industry, and managing other MSU-industry research collaborative relationships, particularly but not exclusively in the areas of engineering, physics, and software. The role will be performed on site in Bozeman, Montana, including frequent in-person interactions with MSU faculty and staff, so is not feasible to be done remotely.

Duties and Responsibilities include identifying and evaluating MSU technologies with commercial and licensing potential. Soliciting and facilitating IP disclosures from MSU researchers and coordinating closely with the MSU TTO IP Manager to ensure all materials and information are obtained in a timely manner to support patent filing and prosecution deadlines. Evaluating patent landscapes, competitive IP, and technology market opportunities. Selecting the most promising MSU technologies for licensing to companies. Generating marketing collateraltypically, one-page technical marketing summaries of technologies available for license. Performing market and industry research to identify high-potential industry customers for selected technologies, including building compelling business cases as needed. Engaging target companies through proactive outreachincluding email, phone, professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn, and conferencesto present licensing and research collaboration opportunities (and, where appropriate, other technology transfer opportunities). Helping MSU startups perform customer discovery, market research, develop technology commercialization plans, and perform other analysis needed to help MSU licensee companies find a path to translate MSU research innovations into real-world applications. Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, editing, and tracking agreements such as Licensing Agreements, Research Collaboration Agreements, Inter-Institutional Agreements, and Sponsored Research Agreements. Professionally communicating directly with federal, state, and private sponsors or collaborators in a timely and well-documented manner to complete contracts and agreements. Establishing effective working relationships with staff across the university and MSU extension to ensure that contract transactions are completed in a timely and professional manner. Maintaining and updating records in the TTO database to ensure data is accurate and current. Assisting with TTO communications and outreach efforts, including website and newsletter materials. Occasional travel for industry conferences, meetings with federal sponsors, and the like.

Required Qualifications include a Masters in engineering, physics, or other relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. A minimum of five years of experience in a technology-driven company. This does not include time spent in academia, research institutes, or non-profits. Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property, particularly patents. Demonstrated experience moving technology from R&D to the marketplace. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrated collegiality and ability to work in a team environment.

The successful candidate will excel in an autonomous environment with the ability to work independently with a high degree of self-motivation, accuracy and efficiency, with little or no supervisory oversight of day-to-day operations. Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills. Plan for and meet strict deadlines while being able to adapt to rapidly changing needs. Express commitment to working in a transparent and collaborative manner with university and external stakeholders, with an understanding of state and university administrative policies. Possess excellent interpersonal skills and a customer-oriented approach, to effectively engage with research faculty, staff, campus administrative departments, department heads, deans, MSU executives, and sponsor organizations.