Location: Kennesaw,GA, USA
About Us
Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Do you want to cultivate an inclusive environment that encourages free expression and civil discourse? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!
Location
Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.
Job Summary
Provides senior-level knowledge and insight into management, control, and guidance on intellectual property (IP) that Kennesaw State University (KSU) created. Will administer the KSU IP Policy and IP Committee, support outside counsel in IP prosecution, market available technologies, and support licensing activities. Is responsible for identifying and overseeing all aspects of the universitys technology transfer program from initial disclosure through post-license compliance.
Responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Reviews, drafts, negotiates, and closes IP-related agreements, including complex or master agreements, on behalf of the University, assuring completeness and compliance with university policies and procedures and government regulations and laws. This includes providing guidance, review, and negotiation of IP language in university industry-sponsored research agreements.
2. Identifies and resolves risks in contractual terms and conditions not conforming to KSU policy or governing regulations. Work closely with the Office of Research and the Office of Legal Affairs on the review and execution of agreements
3. Moderates IP dispute resolution and interacts with outside counsel on IP prosecution.
4. Manages KSU intellectual property (IP) policies, ensuring compliance with USG policy and state and federal regulations.
5. Oversees the IP Committee.
6. Manages the process of sourcing, reviewing, and marketing university intellectual property (IP)
7. Lead all aspects of the university's technology transfer operations, including updating the office strategic plan to reflect a vision and plan to grow KSUs licensing activity
8. Manage major IP-related agreements with companies, universities, federal labs, hospitals, and other organizations
9. Educates faculty, staff, students, and outside inventors regarding IP, technology transfer, compliance and disclosure processes, and other outreach activities.
10. Guides faculty, administrative units, and staff, ensuring compliance with and adherence to IP-related laws, regulations, and policies while building trust and providing efficient and effective service to diverse constituents both on- and off-campus. Conducts faculty education regarding compliance and disclosure processes.
11. Works closely with industry engagement to align innovations with corporate needs and foster research collaborations and joint development opportunities with obligated licensing.
12. Builds and maintains strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students
13. Develops and implement strategies to identify inventions arising from KSU research
14. Promote awareness of the importance of IP and industry engagement to the University research community
15. Develop annual technology transfer objectives and associated metrics; provide regular reporting on progress to senior leadership and peers
16. Support KSU efforts in engaging with the local economic development community to promote the impact of KSU research and innovation
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Other Required Qualifications
Current, valid and unrestricted driver's license
Required Experience
Eight (8) years of related work experience, preferably in business development or technology commercialization
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Registered patent agent
Preferred Educational Qualifications
Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education, preferably a JD or PhD in a STEM discipline
Preferred Experience
Research administration experience and contracts experience, including drafting and negotiating complex agreements
Proposed Salary
The budgeted salary range is $119,280 to $130,000. Offers are based on relevant experience.
Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
ABILITIES
Experience and ability with successfully communicating with all levels within an organization, from senior management to operational teams
Ability to gain credibility and trust with multiple layers of complex organizations from the University to corporations. Ability to interact professionally and positively with all levels of staff.
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one-time meeting assigned deadlines
Dedicated, independent, and innovative team player
KNOWLEDGE
Working knowledge of accounting principles and financial management, research regulatory compliance requirements, use of human and animal subjects, and intellectual property
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of the higher education research enterprise and academic technology transfer
Knowledge of contract drafting and negotiation practices
Knowledge of licensing practices; knowledge of risk management
Knowledge of state, federal, and industry contract guidelines, procedures, and laws pertaining to university research and the intellectual property (IP) developed from research and IP protection procedures.
Knowledge of patent administration and Bayh-Dole compliance requirements; general understanding of business, including startups, venture capital, etc.
Experience managing others and developing talent
Working knowledge of intellectual property law, contract law, innovation, relevant technical fields, negotiations, and business principles
Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research administration in the conduct of academic research, grants, and contracts
SKILLS
Strong leadership and sound decision-making skills
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at
Equal Employment Opportunity
Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.
For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, ...@kennesaw.edu.
Other Information
This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 25% - 49% of the time
Background Check
* Standard Enhanced
* Education
* DMV
Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening
results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.
All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.