EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR INNOVATION TRANSFER AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Overview

Position is based in Oakland, California. Work accommodation is fully remote within California only.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is a recognized leader in federal government, industry, and academic trends in knowledge transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. The role represents the UC system with external stakeholders nationally and internationally and serves as the lead resource for UC locations on IP and technology transfer policy and business processes. The Executive Director oversees a specialized staff that administers initiatives, agreements, and policies for UC campuses, UC ANR, and the three national laboratories, and is a member of the senior cabinet of the Vice President, Research & Innovation.

Key responsibility: lead UC's multi‑year modernization of the Intellectual Property Management System (IPMS), replacing the legacy Patent Tracking System with the Wellspring Evolve SaaS platform. Responsible for change management, stakeholder alignment, and full system rollout in 2026.

Responsibilities

• 35% Systemwide Leadership, Policy, and Governance – Provide strategic leadership for UC's innovation ecosystem, develop institution‑wide strategies for patenting, licensing, equity management, and IP governance. Represent UC nationally and internationally, lead systemwide reporting, and act as the systemwide owner of equity and facilities‑access policies.
• 30% UC Licensing Support Services and Reporting – Lead systemwide licensing operations, including financial accounting, revenue collection, inventor payments, equity income, and compliance reporting of more than $120M annually.
• 25% Organizational Management and Capacity Building – Direct a unit of approximately 25 FTE, manage resource allocation, establish internal controls, and develop professional development programs for campus partners and staff.
• 10% Innovation & Entrepreneurship Partnerships – Lead the President's Entrepreneurship Network Council, strengthen relationships with industry, venture capitalists, and economic development organizations, and promote equitable access to entrepreneurship resources.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing IP and/or technology transfer in academia, research, or business.
• Executive leadership of large, complex, multi‑stakeholder IP and commercialization programs.
• Experience overseeing enterprise‑level digital transformation or technology modernization projects.
• Strong financial and operational management experience with multimillion‑dollar budgets.
• Deep understanding of academic research enterprise, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to represent the institution internationally.
• Expert‑level knowledge of IP law, commercialization practices, and university‑industry partnerships.
• Knowledge of Bayh‑Dole compliance, iEdison reporting, and federal regulatory frameworks.
• Experience leading operations support for large, centralized IP platforms.
• Experience negotiating complex license agreements, contracts, and commercial terms.
• Demonstrated excellence leading diverse, high‑performing teams.
• Experience in organizational change management and policy development.
• Commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within innovation ecosystems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification or formal training in Organizational Change Management.
• Experience leading enterprise‑wide technology implementations for research or innovation & entrepreneurship.

Education

• Master's degree in a related area required.
• Terminal degree (PhD, JD, or LLM) preferred.

Special Conditions

Travel required: 10% for professional organization meetings and UC intellectual property & technology transfer manager convenings.

Salary and Benefits

Job Title – Intellectual Property Manager 2
Job Code –
Salary Grade – Grade 29
Salary Range – $240,000 – $266,000

Benefits: Benefits of Belonging

Additional Information

Benefit details and comprehensive benefits package information available at the link above.

How to Apply

Please attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

Application Review Date

First review date: February 4, 2026 . The position will remain open until filled.

Conditions of Employment

• Background Check Process – Successful completion required.
• Smoke‑free work environment: UC is smoke & tobacco‑free as of January 1, 2014.
• Vaccination Program compliance per University of California policy.
• Candidate must disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years related to misconduct, ongoing investigations, or appeals.

Misconduct Definition – Any violation of policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including violations of sexual harassment, assault, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct. For details, see: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy, APM‑035: Assurance of Equality.

EEO Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Accessibility

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