Description

Title: Director of Innovation and Commercialization
Position Number: 0089435
Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Innovation & Commercialization
Location: Manoa Campus
Date Posted: February 11, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous until filled. First review to begin on March 16, 2026. 
Band: SM-2
Salary Range: $129,732 - $233,508
Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

INTRODUCTION

The Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) is the University of Hawai`i's technology transfer office. OIC stewards the University's intellectual property (IP) assets, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks, and advances research translation through compliant, mission-aligned licensing and industry partnerships. OIC supports UH researchers, staff, and students to disclose inventions, protect IP, assess commercial potential, and execute technology transfer transactions (e.g., options and licenses). OIC also serves as an industry gateway by facilitating connections between UH innovators and external partners for licensing, sponsored research collaborations, and other forms of research translation. Entrepreneurship and startup development programs are co-developed with other OVPRI offices and statewide partners; the OIC Director ensures IP/licensing alignment, clear handoffs, and consistent policies across these programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership for UH's technology transfer program, including invention disclosure intake, evaluation, IP protection strategy, marketing, licensing, and post-execution agreement management.
• Establish and continuously improve end-to-end processes and review structures to identify and evaluate UH inventions and other IP for protection and commercialization using transparent criteria.
• Oversee management of UH's IP portfolio, including selection and supervision of outside counsel; patent prosecution strategy and budgeting; docketing; and maintenance of patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
• Lead technology marketing and partnering to identify, engage, and qualify potential licensees and collaborators; represent UH technologies to external audiences in a professional, data-informed manner.
• Negotiate and execute technology transfer agreements (e.g., options, licenses, inter-institutional and assignment agreements) and coordinate with UH counsel and other administrative units as needed.
• Coordinate with relevant OVPRI/UH offices to support consistent, compliant use of research-related agreements (e.g., confidentiality, material transfer, and data use) and alignment of IP terms across sponsored research and collaboration activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable requirements governing university IP and commercialization (including Bayh-Dole and sponsor terms), and oversee required reporting and documentation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across UH campuses; provide training and guidance on invention disclosure, publication timing, and engagement with external parties.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for industry on licensing and technology partnership matters and coordinate corporate engagement with OVPRI/campus units consistent with UH's mission and research priorities.
• Partner with OVPRI and campus entrepreneurship/innovation programs to co-develop startup-related ecosystem components, while keeping OIC's core focus on IP, licensing, and technology transfer transactions.
• Plan, coordinate, and administer OIC operations (personnel, budget, contracting, internal controls, and customer service) and implement continuous improvement based on peer benchmarking and metrics.
• Work with UH leadership, the Board of Regents, and stakeholders to propose and implement updates to UH IP and commercialization policies and procedures aligned with best practices and institutional goals.
• Prepare and submit timely reports to State Ethics, the Legislature, and other relevant entities.
• Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.
• Identify and mitigate through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.
  Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the goals and purposes of the University of Hawai`i.

LIST OF DIRECT REPORTS

• In accordance with the official organizational chart.

AUTHORITY AND DECISION-MAKING EXERCISED

• Work is performed under the general supervision of the UH Vice President for Research and Innovation, with opportunities to exercise independent judgment and initiative, as well as substantive decision-making under broad policy and general operational guidelines as set forth by the Board of Regents, President, and other University guidelines and applicable state and federal policies and guidelines.

DIRECTION AND REVIEW OF WORK RECEIVED

• Leadership and program results achieved are reviewed, on a regular basis, by the Vice President for Research and Innovation, the President, and state and federal agencies and/or external audits.

CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS

• The Director provides professional leadership and represents the Office of Innovation and Commercialization and UH in the local community, nationally, and internationally.
• The Director's responsibilities include extensive contact and dialogue with private companies, corporations, funding agencies, and large public organizations, as well as continual interaction with world-renowned researchers, distinguished philanthropists, foreign government representatives, and others.
• The Director's duties also involve considerable contact with senior executives, administrators, the Board of Regents, University of Hawai'i Foundation managers, legislators, state executives, and representatives of the community.

To Apply:

Select the "Apply" button in the top right corner of the screen; first-time NeoGov users will need to create an account. Please ensure your application includes the following materials:

Cover Letter: A letter detailing your interest and how you meet both the minimum and desirable qualifications. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date to be considered.
Resume/CV: A current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Professional References: The names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references.
Unofficial Transcripts: Copies of unofficial transcripts are required for the application, though official versions must be provided upon hire. Please note that copies of diplomas and academic summaries are not acceptable substitutes. Foreign Credential Evaluation: For degrees earned outside the U.S., you must provide a course-by-course analysis and equivalency statement from a NACES-member agency at your own expense.
Important Note: To protect your privacy, do not include any photos, Social Security Numbers, or dates of birth in your packet. Only the most recent application will be reviewed, and all submitted materials become the property of the University of Hawai’i. Please ensure all documents are complete and legible to be considered by the search committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Inquiries: Chad Walton, cwalton@hawaii.edu

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned Masters degree from an accredited university in the areas of life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, or a closely related discipline (or a combination of relevant advanced degree and directly related experience).
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience leading or managing technology transfer, intellectual property management, and/or licensing activities in a university, research organization, government laboratory, or technology-based enterprise.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IP concepts and practices (patents, copyrights, trademarks), including experience managing IP portfolios and/or patent prosecution with outside counsel.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and executing complex agreements (e.g., licenses, options, inter-institutional agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other IP-related contracts).
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations and compliance requirements relevant to university technology transfer (e.g., Bayh-Dole, sponsor reporting obligations, and institutional policy frameworks).
• Ability to evaluate technologies for commercialization potential (market assessment, competitive landscape, value proposition) and to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated people leadership and operational management skills, including building and mentoring teams, setting priorities, managing budgets, improving processes, and delivering high-quality customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across a multi-campus, multi-stakeholder environment; ability to manage sensitive matters and resolve conflict professionally.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to function successfully in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate or terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) in a relevant scientific/engineering discipline, and/or J.D. with substantial experience in IP/licensing.
• Professional credentialing or formal training in technology transfer (e.g., Certified Licensing Professional (CLP), Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), AUTM coursework).
• Direct experience leading a university technology transfer office or equivalent program at a major research organization, including supervision of licensing professionals and management of external counsel.
• Experience developing and implementing institutional IP policies, standard agreement templates, and compliance workflows.
• Experience supporting industry partnerships and aligning sponsored research terms with IP/licensing objectives; familiarity with UH and its major research units and programs and/or knowledge of Hawai'i's priority technology sectors.
• $129,732 - $233,508