Senior Manager, Knowledge Transfer & Commercialisation (2-year contract), IIE

Job Description

• This position is forInstitute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE).
• Intellectual Property (IP) Management
  • Manage and maintain SMU's IP portfolio, including evaluating inventions for prior art, commercial viability and managing patent applications and renewals.
  • Collaborate with the Office of Legal & General Affairs (OLGA) to ensure compliance with SMU IP policy and IP laws and regulations.
  • Collaborate and advice the Office of Research Governance & Administration (ORGA) and Office of Industry Engagement (OIE) on the treatment of IP in research collaboration with academic institution or industry.
  • Develop and implement robust policies and procedures for effective IP management.
• Licensing and Commercialization
  • Negotiate and finalize licensing agreements, ensuring adherence to terms and effective relationship management with licensees.
  • Proactively identify commercialization opportunities by engaging with faculty and industry partners.
  • Support faculty in exploring practical applications of research, conducting market validation, and developing commercialization strategies.
• Engagement and Stakeholder Management
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with SMU faculty, researchers, and external industry stakeholders to foster technology transfer opportunities.
  • Provide training and advisory services to faculty, researchers, and students on IP management and commercialization.
  • Participate in knowledge transfer events, conferences, and industry forums to promote SMU's IP portfolio and capabilities.
• Proof-of-Concept (POC) Project Support
  • Guide faculty in POC gap funding applications, connecting them to relevant resources and support networks.
  • Coordinate proposal presentations, evaluation panel meetings, and post-panel reviews to ensure alignment with commercialization goals.
  • Oversee post-award activities, including incubation space allocation, mentor matching, networking, training programmes and IP/legal advisory support.
• Project Monitoring and Reporting
  • Monitor and manage the performance of market discovery and commercialization projects, providing ongoing guidance from inception through spin-off or licensing stages.
  • Track project milestones, ensuring compliance with grant disbursement requirements.
  • Prepare clear and concise management reports to communicate project status, outcomes, and potential risks to stakeholders.
• Capacity Building and Ecosystem Development
  • Organize training programs and knowledge-sharing sessions to enhance commercialization expertise within the SMU community.
  • Cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem by encouraging faculty and researchers to explore market-driven applications of their work.
• Any other duties assigned.

Qualifications

• Degree/Post-graduate degree in STEM.
• 8 to 10 years of post-graduate work experience in technology commercialization or innovation/entrepreneurship development.
• Past relevant experience and strong international network in the area of technology commercialization across public and private sectors, especially in markets such as the USA and Greater China.
• Up to date with industry and technology trends in the innovation and entrepreneurship eco-system.
• Commercially savvy and ability to structure deals and partnerships innovatively that promotes knowledge transfer and adoption.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Effective communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.

• This position is forInstitute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE).
• Intellectual Property (IP) Management
  • Manage and maintain SMU's IP portfolio, including evaluating inventions for prior art, commercial viability and managing patent applications and renewals.
  • Collaborate with the Office of Legal & General Affairs (OLGA) to ensure compliance with SMU IP policy and IP laws and regulations.
  • Collaborate and advice the Office of Research Governance & Administration (ORGA) and Office of Industry Engagement (OIE) on the treatment of IP in research collaboration with academic institution or industry.
  • Develop and implement robust policies and procedures for effective IP management.
• Licensing and Commercialization
  • Negotiate and finalize licensing agreements, ensuring adherence to terms and effective relationship management with licensees.
  • Proactively identify commercialization opportunities by engaging with faculty and industry partners.
  • Support faculty in exploring practical applications of research, conducting market validation, and developing commercialization strategies.
• Engagement and Stakeholder Management
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with SMU faculty, researchers, and external industry stakeholders to foster technology transfer opportunities.
  • Provide training and advisory services to faculty, researchers, and students on IP management and commercialization.
  • Participate in knowledge transfer events, conferences, and industry forums to promote SMU's IP portfolio and capabilities.
• Proof-of-Concept (POC) Project Support
  • Guide faculty in POC gap funding applications, connecting them to relevant resources and support networks.
  • Coordinate proposal presentations, evaluation panel meetings, and post-panel reviews to ensure alignment with commercialization goals.
  • Oversee post-award activities, including incubation space allocation, mentor matching, networking, training programmes and IP/legal advisory support.
• Project Monitoring and Reporting
  • Monitor and manage the performance of market discovery and commercialization projects, providing ongoing guidance from inception through spin-off or licensing stages.
  • Track project milestones, ensuring compliance with grant disbursement requirements.
  • Prepare clear and concise management reports to communicate project status, outcomes, and potential risks to stakeholders.
• Capacity Building and Ecosystem Development
  • Organize training programs and knowledge-sharing sessions to enhance commercialization expertise within the SMU community.
  • Cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem by encouraging faculty and researchers to explore market-driven applications of their work.
• Any other duties assigned.