Department
SING Polsky Operations - Sr. Administration
About the Department
Job Information
Job Summary:
As a member of the Polsky Center’s executive leadership committee, the Assistant Vice President for Technology Ventures (AVP) will lead the Polsky Center’s Technology Ventures team, which includes technology development, business development and licensing, technology marketing, science venture development, investments, and accelerators. The AVP will also partner closely with University leadership and other Polsky Center leadership across teams and will develop and manage strong relationships with University faculty members, investors, industry partners, and other stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem.
Responsibilities:
Provide leadership and management for the managers and professional staff across the Technology Ventures team.Manage technology development staff, whose responsibilities include actively soliciting and evaluating inventions and software arising from University research for intellectual property protection and commercial potential, prioritizing projects, and managing patent prosecution for selected inventions.Manage business development and licensing staff, whose responsibilities include screening inventions for commercialization potential and drafting, negotiating, executing, and managing intellectual property licenses and other agreements.Lead technology marketing staff, whose responsibilities include developing marketing strategies and leading associated campaigns to stimulate licensing of University technology by corporations and/or faculty ventures.Lead science venture development staff, whose responsibilities include engaging faculty members to chart business/commercialization strategy and develop presentation materials for startups, building a network of potential investors and partners, and engaging investors and partners on faculty startups.Manage accelerator and investments staff, whose responsibilities include managing Polsky investment programs such as the George Shulz Innovation Fund, liaising with University-focused funds such as Harper Court Ventures and UCM Ventures, and managing the strategy and operations of Polsky’s science venture accelerators.Set and execute strategic priorities and goals for the Technology Ventures team, in collaboration with the Associate Vice President, Managing Director, other Polsky leadership, and University leadership.Partner with Managing Director, other Polsky leadership, and University leadership to build out new strategic priorities and capabilities as needed, to support Polsky’s mission and the University’s mission.Manage the budget for the Technology Ventures team, alongside Managing Director and other Polsky finance and operations leadership.Advise the Managing Director on internal and external issues affecting the team’s operations and goals.Promote cross-team collaboration and learning within the Technology Ventures team as well as across the Polsky Center.Lead cross-team University strategy related to technology transfer and science ventures, in collaboration with Polsky’s Managing Director.Build relationships with faculty members across the University engaged with, or with potential interest to engage with, translational research and commercialization.Identify and engage with external partners to advance Polsky’s mission.Establish and cultivate strong relationships with Polsky Center colleagues and University colleagues to advance Polsky’s mission.Act as thought leader internally and externally on technology transfer and commercialization.Competencies:
Effectively communicate and collaborate on scientific inventions and technologies.Build rapport and credibility with faculty members, researchers, and their labs.Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications.Comfort with ambiguity and organizational change in an area that is continually evolving.Address complex technical, legal and business issues, including negotiations.Creative problem-solving.Develop and lead strategy to develop new functions and capabilities to grow impact.Additional Responsibilities
Education, Experience or Certifications:
Education:
Bachelor's degree required.Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, chemistry, materials science, physics, computer science, engineering, or related discipline preferred.Experience:
Knowledge and skills developed through 10+ years of work experience in technology transfer in an academic or industry setting, including in managerial roles.Deep hands-on expertise in promoting intellectual property and working with internal and external stakeholders to advance commercialization activities.Deep expertise supporting the creation and growth of science-based faculty ventures.Technical Knowledge or Skills:
Knowledge of intellectual property.Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
Opportunity for hybrid work schedule.Required Documents:
Resume/CVCover Letter
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
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