Description

Position Summary
The Associate Director of MSU Technologies plays a pivotal leadership role in managing MSU’s intellectual property and research agreement operations. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position oversees key personnel and functions including IP administration, license compliance, and CDA/MTA/DUA negotiation. The Associate Director leads agreement negotiation and execution, monitors patent activities and invoices, ensures legal and policy alignment in licensing templates, and advises on strategic planning and budgeting efforts. They mentor teams to improve efficiency, compliance, and cost-effectiveness, often exploring innovations like AI integration. The role involves high-level collaboration with internal and external stakeholders such as faculty inventors, the MSU Research Foundation, Office of the General Counsel, Business Connect, and Office of Sponsored Programs, ensuring MSU’s commercialization efforts are legally sound and strategically aligned. With a strong emphasis on communication, organization, and critical thinking, this primarily in-person role is central to advancing MSU’s research enterprise. This position offers in-person work experience, requiring a minimum of four days in office with occasional remote flexibility.  

Duties and Responsibilities 
MTA/CDA/DUA Management – 25%

Efficiently manage the day-to-day research agreements managed by the department: 
- Mentor and develop the CDA/MTA Coordinators, advising on modified agreement language and best practices. 
- Supervise the negotiation, drafting and implementation of all CDAs, MTAs and DUAs, including being lead on execution of such agreements. With the Executive Director and the MSU Office of the General Counsel (OGC), revise template agreements based on current licensing practices and changes in the law. 

Intellectual Property Portfolio Management – 20%  

- Mentor and develop the IP Administrator Team regarding IP docketing, patent administration and federal compliance; identify best practices and opportunities for increased efficiencies and cost savings, such as bringing certain tasks in-house or implementing AI solutions. 
- Monitor patent activities and invoices to ensure deadlines are being met, attorney charges are appropriate, and patent expenditures meet budget expectations. 

License Agreement and Compliance Management – 20%

- Mentor and develop the Agreement & Compliance Team regarding preparation, internal review, execution and compliance of license agreements, option agreements, IIAs and other technology agreements; identify best practices and opportunities for increased efficiencies and increased licensee compliance. 
- Review all license agreements, option agreements, IIAs and other technology agreements as part of the pre-execution process; advise Agreement & Compliance Coordinator, Technology Managers and/or Executive Director on potential changes or exceptional terms. 

Leadership – 20% 

- Develop and recommend policy and provide high-level advice and guidance to the Executive Director to advance the commercialization of MSU technologies. 
- Supervision of the MTA/CDA/DUA Coordinators, IP Agreement Coordinator, and Agreement Compliance Coordinator. 
- Assist in the development and execution of MSUT’s strategic plan, and in the preparation of the annual operating plan and budget. 

Outreach & Engagement – 15%

- Collaborate with the Conflict-of-Interest Office to manage COI matters, particularly those related to faculty-engaged start-up companies. 
- Collaborate with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) on matters related to MSU intellectual property policies, complex agreements, policy issues and patent matters. 
- Provide support to Business-CONNECT and OSP on intellectual property terms of research agreements, balancing MSU policies and the positions of funding organizations to reach mutually beneficial outcomes. 

Requirements

Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a bachelor’s degree in technical field related to either Engineering, Life Science, or Physical Science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; five to eight years relevant experience. Candidates must have the capacity to comply with federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control law.  

Desired Qualifications
Technical Skills: Proficiency with computer operation, proficiency in MS Office suite, Zoom, Minuet, Adobe Pro, Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and databases. 

- Soft Skills: Strong written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, ability to maintain confidentiality, time management and prioritization, strong interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and a collaborative mindset. 

- Experience: (required) A minimum of 5 years’ experience in licensing, leadership, Technology transfer or corporate business development; legal, contract and patent experience required. (desired) A minimum of 10 years’ experience.  

- Preferred Certifications: CLP (Certified Licensing Professional), registration to practice as a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney. 

- Preferred Education: BS degree in a technical field and/or Juris Doctor.