Careers @ MSU

Duties and Responsibilities 

MTA/CDA/DUA Management – 25% 

Efficiently manage the day-to-day research agreements managed by the department: 

• Mentor and develop the CDA/MTA Coordinators, advising on modified agreement language and best practices. 

• Supervise the negotiation, drafting and implementation of all CDAs, MTAs and DUAs, including being lead on execution of such agreements. With the Executive Director and the MSU Office of the General Counsel (OGC), revise template agreements based on current licensing practices and changes in the law. 

Intellectual Property Portfolio Management – 20%  

• Mentor and develop the IP Administrator Team regarding IP docketing, patent administration and federal compliance; identify best practices and opportunities for increased efficiencies and cost savings, such as bringing certain tasks in-house or implementing AI solutions. 

• Monitor patent activities and invoices to ensure deadlines are being met, attorney charges are appropriate, and patent expenditures meet budget expectations. 

License Agreement and Compliance Management – 20% 

• Mentor and develop the Agreement & Compliance Team regarding preparation, internal review, execution and compliance of license agreements, option agreements, IIAs and other technology agreements; identify best practices and opportunities for increased efficiencies and increased licensee compliance. 

• Review all license agreements, option agreements, IIAs and other technology agreements as part of the pre-execution process; advise Agreement & Compliance Coordinator, Technology Managers and/or Executive Director on potential changes or exceptional terms. 

Leadership – 20%  

• Develop and recommend policy and provide high-level advice and guidance to the Executive Director to advance the commercialization of MSU technologies. 

• Supervision of the MTA/CDA/DUA Coordinators, IP Agreement Coordinator, and Agreement Compliance Coordinator. 

• Assist in the development and execution of MSUT’s strategic plan, and in the preparation of the annual operating plan and budget. 

Outreach & Engagement – 15% 

• Collaborate with the Conflict-of-Interest Office to manage COI matters, particularly those related to faculty-engaged start-up companies. 

• Collaborate with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) on matters related to MSU intellectual property policies, complex agreements, policy issues and patent matters. 

• Provide support to Business-CONNECT and OSP on intellectual property terms of research agreements, balancing MSU policies and the positions of funding organizations to reach mutually beneficial outcomes.