Career Center

Michigan State University has exclusively retained Gardner Innovation Search Partners to fill two critical roles within their Innovation Center: Associate Director – Technology Transfer and Commercialization, MSU Technologies & Executive Director – Business Connect.

The MSU Innovation Center combines innovation, technology transfer, start-up support and a portfolio of dedicated business and community partnerships to bring cutting-edge ideas to the marketplace. Composed of Business Connect, MSU Technologies, and Spartan Innovations, the MSU Innovation Center stewards ideas from concept to product, engaging in hundreds of corporate-sponsored programs, and launching more than 130 discoveries into patented products and start-up businesses annually.

Associate Director – Technology Transfer and Commercialization, MSU Technologies Qualifications:

• A high degree of energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to transferring technology for public benefit.
• Ability to collaborate with internal offices and third parties, including other academic institutions and industry.
• Leadership experience in academic technology transfer or experience in corporate business development. 5-10 years of licensing experience, with a preference for an in-depth understanding of and experience in a research university environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills along with the ability and desire to develop and lead the licensing team. Ability to efficiently and effectively mentor and guide a significant number of direct reports. Sets clear expectations and holds direct reports accountable for performance.
• Experience in supporting and growing professional development of technology transfer staff.
• Deep understanding of the academic research environment, including the various stakeholders of an academic technology transfer office.
• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering is required and an advanced degree is preferred.
• Excellent working knowledge of laws and business practices related to university technology transfer.

Executive Director – Business Connect Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, an advanced degree (PhD, MBA, etc.) preferred (preferably in business, engineering, or the sciences).
• 10 years’ experience working in research management, business development, or corporate relations with at least 5 years of this experience in private sector research and development. Extensive and broad experience in the business of research and commercialization, a documented and strong track record in negotiation and contract development, or other business operations across an academic-corporate interface.
• Commercial expertise and mindset achieved as an executive or manager of a business unit, a corporate, government or academic corporate engagement unit, or research and development organization. Evidence of ability to balance competing priorities and effective time management skills.
• General management experience in a university, or biotechnology/engineering, or other relevant company, and related experience building and/or managing a unit within an academic environment. A demonstrated record of proactive attention to matters of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Specific experience that relates to technologies with commercial potential developed in MSU colleges (e.g., Agriculture, Communication Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering, Natural Science, Social Sciences and Medicine) is highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people and to act effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
• A reputation and demonstrated success as a visionary, creative and dynamic business professional, and more specifically, success in creating commercial value derived from scientific or other innovations. International business experience and established networks are highly desired.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, highly effective as a business leader sensitive to the needs and workings of the academic and corporate environments and missions. Must demonstrate leadership and a capacity to achieve consensus among university officials, the MSU Foundation, Michigan economic development leaders and Business Connect personnel concerning key initiatives, commercial strategies and long-term planning of technology growth and infrastructure.
• Capacity to easily comprehend technical communications/documents from diverse scientific and technical disciplines and work effectively with diverse elements of the MSU technology base.
• Operational knowledge and significant experience with university-based research contracting processes and the development and execution of diverse agreements, demonstrated negotiating skills, and experience in advanced deal-making business strategies. Evidence of creative solutions in complex negotiations and an experience in negotiating to productive middle ground will be highly valued.
• Established networks and working relationships with corporations within the US and internationally, to enable opportunities to link Business Connect to external partners.
• Familiarity with external funding opportunities from federal, state, or private granting agencies, and generally understand the requirements of regulatory bodies (FDA, USDA, EMEA etc.).
• Fluency with computer software (spreadsheet, word processing, PowerPoint).
• Advanced knowledge of the law (especially relating to contracts and intellectual property).

Read more about each of the roles here:

Associate Director Technology Transfer and Commercialization, MSU Technologies – https://gardnerisp.com/associate-director-technology-transfer-commercialization-msu-technologies-michigan-state-university/

Executive Director, Business Connect – https://gardnerisp.com/executive-director-business-connect-michigan-state-university/