Intellectual Property Director - Oakland, CA, Job ID 81874

Job Description

This position is posted as an Intellectual Property Director 2, but an Intellectual Property Director 1 may be considered depending on the level of experience of the hired applicant.

Department Summary:

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of UC research and education to all 58 counties of California. UC ANR employs more than 1,600 academic and staff personnel and operates with an annual budget exceeding $300 million. We manage 10 Research and Extension Centers across the state and are present in every county and across all UC campuses, working with communities, farmers, ranchers, youth, and policymakers to develop practical, science-based solutions. Our programs advance sustainable agriculture, healthy food systems, natural resources, youth development, and community resilience, improving the lives of all Californians.

Position Summary:

This position will utilize best practices in intellectual property and technology transfer to ensure that discoveries and innovations emerging from UC ANR research and outreach continue to benefit the people of California and beyond.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department for this position is IMM Office Associate Vice President - Business Operations. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale:

Intellectual Property Director 1: $138,200/year to $204,700/year

Intellectual Property Director 2: $176,100/year to $266,000/year

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for the Intellectual Property Director 2 position is $150,000 to $210,000.

Job Posting Close Date:

This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/28/2025.

Key Responsibilities:

40%

Strategic Leadership, Policy, and Governance

• Provides strategic direction and plays a key role in developing institution-wide policies related to intellectual property, patents, licensing, and conflicts of interest.
• Advises senior leadership on policy exceptions and high-level legal or operational issues.
• Exercises delegated authority for contracts and major organizational decisions involving finance, staffing, and compliance.
• Interacts with senior management to ensure alignment across departments and functional areas.
• Approves or provides input on settlements of legal disputes.

40%

Industry, External Relations, and Technology Exchange

• Directs and oversees activities that facilitate technology transfer and collaboration between the university and the private sector.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with industry executives, venture capitalists, entrepreneurship organizations, and economic development entities.
• Develops and implements strategies to expand partnerships and promote innovation across key sectors.
• Promotes the dissemination of new ideas and research to the broader public and industry communities.

20%

Organizational Development and Capacity Building

• Advises and consults with departments, faculty, and organizational leaders on strategic and operational matters.
• Identifies organizational training needs and implements development programs for multiple audiences.
• Establishes and manages internal processes for effective intellectual property and departmental operations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related area.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse audiences.
• Expert understanding of applicable laws/policies/principles for intellectual property/technology transfer/commercialization, economic development, private-public partnerships and has excellent connections to further these initiatives.
• In-depth understanding of national and international developments in the management of IP license and related agreements.
• Strong financial, management, and leadership skills.
• Understands and appreciates research enterprise in an academic institution as it relates to intellectual property and technology commercialization.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced Degree

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.