Currently, UK Technology Commercialization is seeking an Associate Director, Intellectual Property Development (AD, IPD), to lead its IP Development Team. This team leader will be responsible for managing the invention disclosure, invention market assessment, patent protection strategy and IP portfolio management components for UK TC on behalf of the University of Kentucky Research Foundation. The role will coordinate with all outside patent counsel related to patent filings and prosecution, and will oversee all interactions with UK inventors related to technology evaluations, patenting questions, preparation for invention disclosure, market assessment feedback and patenting strategies. In addition, this team leader will oversee a team of TC Fellows - UK graduate students employed by the office - related to creation and presentation of technology and market assessment reports, including initial prior art search. This position will be responsible for shepherding and guiding all patenting and renewal decisions in coordination with the participating inventor, UK Intellectual Property Committee (IPC), and the UK TC Director, pursuant to UK TC internal business processes and UK policies. The AD, IPD will be responsible for day-to-day management of the UK IP portfolio, its maintenance and docketing, and will work directly with UK faculty, staff and student inventors related to protecting and ultimately commercializing their discoveries. This role will support the UK TC in conducting education for faculty, staff and students related to patentable innovation, invention disclosure activities, and IP protection strategies.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Develop and foster ongoing and mutually beneficial relationships with UK faculty, staff, and student inventors.

• Oversee the IP Development team, including IP Docket Analyst and IP & Compliance Coordinator

• Manage an efficient and transparent invention disclosure submission and review process utilizing advisory input from the Intellectual Property Committee (IPC), documented research review, other scientific advisory inputs, if available, and market research inputs.

• Oversee and manage a team of TC Fellows to ensure timely market assessment feedback to inventors

• Advise the IPC on patentability issues, and manage the patent prosecution process with external attorneys, including overseeing the development of and managing an organized and collaborative (with UK inventors) IP development process.

• Develop and oversee management of functional IP docket/data for quick research supporting progress updates, licensing, and startup company development activities.

• Collaborate with Commercialization & Licensing Team and New Ventures & Alliances team to support development of commercialization plans and licensing, and assist startup company strategy with IP strategy input.

• Play a key role on the UK TC Leadership Team related to overall office strategy and operations.

• Bring a positive attitude and be ready to work in an energetic, busy, and fun environment to advance innovation that makes a difference!

There is an internal employee being considered for this position (IEBC).