The expected hiring range for this position is:
$153,200.00-$217,733.00.
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
About the Role:
Fermilab is seeking a Division Head for the Office of Partnership and Technology Transfer. This position will report directly to the Associate Laboratory Director for Science, Innovation, and Technology Partnership and Outreach (SITPO) and with limited supervision, develops, implements, maintains and directs the Laboratory’s partnership agreements and intellectual property management systems. Assures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, requirements and standards and Department of Energy (DOE) prime contract requirements. Partners with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Corporate Accounting and the Office of the General Counsel to execute these responsibilities. This person will assist the Associate Lab Director with identifying issues, preventing problems, and mitigating impacts.
What your day-to-day as a Division Head, Office of Partnership & Technology Transfer at Fermilab will look like:
- Develops strategies and formulates short and long-range plans with subordinates, peers, and senior management for executing the laboratory’s technology transfer mission.
- Develops and ensures deployment of Laboratory policies, protocols, procedures and guidance for the technology transfer/commercialization process and the management of intellectual property; serves as the Management System Owner for the Partnerships Management System within the Laboratory.
- On behalf of the Directorate, establishes and oversees the processes for securing funding from external sources, including providing letters of support, securing DOE Contracting Officer approvals, and coordinating with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Corporate Accounting to ensure compliance with the proposal requirements and the prime contract.
- Establishes and manages the processes of forming, reviewing, and approving all institutional-level Partnership Agreements with external entities, including but not limited, to Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Strategic Partnership Projects (SPPs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Non-Proprietary User Agreements (NPUAs), licensing agreements, or other such agreements that may be approved for use at the Laboratory by DOE.
- Executes (signs) legally-binding agreements on behalf of the Contractor, as delegated by the Deputy Director for Administration.
- Performs the statutory functions of the Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA), as defined by the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (as amended); establishes and directs all processes for Intellectual Property Management, including but not limited to, records of invention, software disclosures, patent protection, copyright registration, non-disclosure agreements, licenses, option agreements, or IPrelated processes, in accordance with the prime contract and subject to approval by the Fermilab Office of General Counsel as to legal form.
- Together with the Head of Technology Development and Industry Engagement, guides the development, commercialization and transfer of impactful laboratory technologies. Sets patent-filing priorities and coordinates with inside and outside counsel on patent, copyright, and trademark filings.
- Develops and implements procedures for early identification of important laboratory innovations, record of invention evaluation, patenting prioritization and election, patent portfolio management, technology strategy development, license negotiation, license maintenance and royalty distribution.
- Assists the Deputy Director, other members of the Directorate, and DOE as requested to establish appropriate agreements with international partners in support of the Laboratory’s scientific mission; provides input to government-level agreements as requested by the Directorate or DOE; assists with the interpretation and application of government-to-government agreements at the Laboratory.
- Establishes and maintains the official repository for all Partnership Agreements and Intellectual Property Management records.
- Measures and reports on performance to laboratory leadership and DOE; performs assessments of the Partnerships Management System; identifies process improvements and corrective actions; works with Division/Section/Center Heads to implement improvements.
- Represents the laboratory with external stakeholders including other technology transfer, innovation, and economic development organizations.
- Serves as the Laboratory representative on the National Laboratory Technology Transfer (NLTT) Working Group; the Technology Transfer Working Group (TTWG); the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC), and other communities of practice that may be established by DOE or the US Government that are relevant to Partnership Agreements and Intellectual Property Management.
- Establishes and manages the staff and budget assigned to the Partnership Agreements and Intellectual Property Management functions; oversees and guides utilization of the IARC OTE building consistent with laboratory priorities.
- Interfaces with scientific leadership/staff, legal and finance organizations. Serves as the point of contact for expediting CRADA and SPP projects for the laboratory. Assists laboratory staff in the negotiation of Intellectual Property (IP) agreements with potential laboratory partners.
- Educates and informs laboratory staff on intellectual property, licensing and CRADA/SPP policies, procedures and protocols and establishes/oversees a formal system for training of Fermilab staff who will handle proprietary information and official use only (OUO) information.
- Serves as “landlord” and space manager for the IARC buildings including the Heavy Assemble Building and the Office & Technical Education building.
- Conducts special projects as assigned by the Directorate for innovation, partnering and outreach.
- May provide supervision or leadership of a team including hiring, promotions, performance reviews, training, disciplinary actions, team exits, and other duties as assigned.
- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
- Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.
Skills and Attributes for Success:
- Bachelor's degree in science or engineering.
- 10+ years of experience in business administration, management or operation of technology related business OR advanced science or engineering degree (master’s or PhD) and/or master's degree in business administration OR equivalent combination of science/engineering education and business administration educations and/or experience.
Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- Demonstrated ability to build effective teams; create strong morale and spirit; share wins and successes, and effectively lead and influence personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values.
- Working knowledge of federal technology transfer and intellectual property management policies, laws, and requirements along with key issues and potential changes affecting Partnerships and technology transfer.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex agreements, manage intellectual property, and communicate effectively with external partners and DOE sponsors.
Work Arrangement:
Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.
- Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.
Benefits/Perks:
Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid time off
- Life insurance
- Short and Long-term disability insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Onsite day care
Why Fermilab:
Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.
Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening
Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. As part of the hiring process, candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.
REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.
What To Expect Next:
We’ll be in touch! If your qualifications are in alignment with the position requirements, one of our recruiters will be reaching out to schedule a phone interview to learn more about your career interests and goals. In the meantime, we encourage you to check us out on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or our About Us page.
