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Senior Director of Technology Transfer

Syracuse University

Syracuse University

IT, Sales & Business Development
USD 182k-288k / year
Posted on Jun 26, 2025
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Posting Details

Posting Details
Job # 041980
Department Code 20313-2243
Department Academic Affairs
Job Title Senior Director of Technology Transfer
Location Syracuse, NY
Pay Range $182,000 - $288,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level S6
FLSA Status Exempt
Hours
Standard University business hours.

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type Full-time
Campus Syracuse, NY
Unionized Position Code Not Applicable
Job Description
Syracuse University seeks a visionary and experienced Director of Technology Transfer to lead its technology commercialization enterprise. The Director will lead the university’s efforts to commercialize intellectual property (IP) and support the translation of university-owned innovations into societal and economic impact. The ideal candidate will bring significant experience in university-based technology transfer, IP management, and commercialization.

The Director will evaluate invention disclosures to assess their commercial potential and develop targeted marketing strategies for high-value technologies. They will lead the negotiation and execution of a wide range of complex agreements, including inter-institutional agreements, license agreements, option agreements, and material transfer agreements, to facilitate effective technology commercialization. They will manage strategic relationships including other universities and industry partners, to ensure the smooth and collaborative transfer of technologies across institutional boundaries.

This is a pivotal role at the intersection of research, innovation, and industry engagement. The Director will report to the Vice President for Research and collaborate with faculty, legal counsel, entrepreneurs, and external partners.
Education and Experience
  • JD or Ph.D. in a STEM field, business, or a related discipline.
  • Seven (7+) plus years of progressive experience in technology transfer, intellectual property, licensing, or university-industry relations.
Skills and Knowledge
  • Strong understanding of U.S. patent law, and current trends, policies and best practices affecting university technology transfer and commercialization.
  • Proven experience identifying commercialization pathways and negotiating complex licensing and related agreements.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess and prioritize a diverse IP portfolio and market university technologies.
  • Experience leading a tech transfer office or managing professional staff in a research university setting.
  • Familiarity with federal funding mechanisms (e.g., SBIR/STTR), research compliance, and startup incubation.
  • Experience with IP management software and metrics platforms (e.g., Inteum, Sophia, Wellspring).
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Ability to build trust and credibility with faculty, legal counsel, and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Intellectual Property Management and Licensing:
  • Manage the full IP lifecycle including invention disclosures, patent prosecution, and licensing.
  • Oversee portfolio strategy, ensure compliance with federal and institutional IP policies, and negotiate complex technology transfer agreements.
  • Evaluate market and commercialization pathways for university inventions.
Industry Partnerships & External Outreach, Startup Support:
  • Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, investors, accelerators, and economic development organizations to facilitate licensing, sponsored research, and collaborative opportunities.
  • Promote SU innovations to external audiences.
  • Collaborate with faculty to provide support for startup formation, funding, and commercialization strategy.
Compliance, Strategic Planning, Oversight and Metrics:
  • Ensure technology transfer operations are compliant with applicable regulations.
  • Lead strategic direction for the tech transfer office.
  • Supervise staff, manage budgets, track KPIs (e.g., disclosures, patents, revenue), manage day-to-day operations, ensure close collaboration with Office of University Counsel on technology transfer, and preparation of reports to university leadership.
Researcher Engagement:
  • Actively engage faculty to identify innovations with commercial potential. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders (e.g. Innovation Law Center) to educate researchers on IP, commercialization, and university policies.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
*
Tools/Equipment
*
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
Quick Link https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/109878
Job Posting Date 06/20/2025
Application Deadline
Full Consideration By
Job Category Staff
Message to Applicants

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you first find out about this position?
    • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
    • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
    • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
    • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
    • Women’s Opportunity Center
    • Jubilee Homes
    • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
    • Interfaith Works
    • JobPlus
    • Syracuse.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • Indeed.com
    • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
    • LinkedIn Job Posting
    • Facebook
    • Job Fair
    • Search Firm
    • Referred by an SU Employee
    • Other
  2. * If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position.

    (Open Ended Question)

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