Associate Director, Business Development and Licensing

   

The Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University seeks an Associate Director for Business Development and Licensing. Well-qualified candidates will possess prior experience assessing inventions, developing business, and negotiating contracts in the technology transfer field.

The Role

As Associate Director for Business Development and Licensing, you will contribute your forward-thinking perspective to a leadership team driving a comprehensive technology commercialization and partnership program. You will manage a large technology portfolio and serve as the primary liaison with faculty and research staff in designated research areas. 
 

Key responsibilities will include:

• Helping faculty and researchers crystallize inventive ideas and disclose inventions, tangible and copyrightable materials to the University

• Continuously assessing business needs in target industries by establishing, maintaining, and growing business development contacts with industry and the investment community

• Constructing reasonable and fair financial deals for complex intellectual property transactions including IP licenses, inter-institutional agreements, corporate financing documents, industry sponsored research agreements and other related commercial agreements

• Supporting the creation and growth of startups based on Cornell technologies

• Managing long-term relationships with licensees and startups

• Leading a functional team in technology protection, marketing and licensing in selected technology areas with designated authorities by the Executive Director

• Mentoring junior team members in the Business Development and Licensing team for technology management and licensing negotiations

• Acting as a thought partner to the Executive Director to develop, design, and lead implementation of new strategies, guidelines, and processes to support our office mission

About Us

The Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) is Cornell University’s technology transfer office. CTL’s mission is to bring the University’s scientific discoveries, technological innovations, and medical advances to the marketplace for societal benefit and to foster new venture creation and growth to support economic development within New York State and across the nation. The office manages a broad array of technologies for Cornell’s various campuses, including the Ithaca campus, Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), Cornell Tech in New York City, and Cornell AgriTech in Geneva.

To bridge the gap between lab and market, business ideas, and successful startups, CTL also manages the university gap funding series and works closely with the university’s incubators and accelerators to advance commercialization, new ventures, and partnerships. CTL is a part of Cornell Research & Innovation.

What We Need
Send us a cover letter, deal sheet, and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important component of your application. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

When evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:

• Master’s degree in a science or engineering field and at least 5 years of experience in business development and technology management in industry, venture, or academic technology transfer; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

• Proven ability to interact with a wide range of people in a professional and ethical manner, including faculty, students, business development professionals, and lawyers with excellent communication skills and proven sensitivity

• Ability to manage confidential information

• Ability to manage multiple complex and competing priorities and align divergent stakeholders

Additionally, although not required, we would like to see evidence of:

• PhD in science or engineering.

• Advanced degree in business or law (MBA or JD)

• 7-10 years of business development experience

• CLP certification

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York on the campus of Cornell University. The position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that would allow the flexibility to work from outside the office up to two days a week. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions, we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

   

University Job Title:

Technology Licensing Professional III

   

Job Family:

Administration

   

Level:

G

   

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

   

Pay Range:

$122,361.00 - $149,552.00

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

Endowed

   

Contact Name:

Kathy McKee

   

Contact Email:

[email protected]

   

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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2025-09-11