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Commercialization Program Manager, UM-MTRAC for Transportation

University of Michigan - Academic

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Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posted Date: 5/2/2013 Position Type: Full time Job Code: 81463 Required Education: Bachelors Degree

Description

Career Interest
   Administration

Commercialization Program Manager, UM-MTRAC for Transportation

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (UM-MTRAC) for Transportation is a strategic partnership between the College of Engineering (CoE) and its Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE), the U-M Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and the Office of Tech Transfer (OTT) with matching funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). This program is focused on identifying technologies and research projects with high commercial potential related to transportation that require additional funding (translational funding) to further their technical development.

The UM-MTRAC for Transportation program will provide needed commercialization expertise and funding for early stage Proof of Concept projects emanating from supporting schools and colleges, and will be housed and administered jointly by the CoE, UMTRI and OTT. Many technologies languish in universities, as traditional funding mechanisms, such as federal funding, are limited in offerings to investigators who want to move their technologies forward into proof-of-concept and early stage development activities.

The Commercialization Program Manager (CPM) will work collaboratively with many units across the College of Engineering and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) in order to identify high commercial potential research projects to enter the UM-MTRAC program, help researchers prepare proposals for committee review, and manage awarded projects.

Salary range is $80,000-$100,000, based on skills and experience.

Responsibilities*

Launch, Market and Administer the program, building internal interest in the program
- Create and nurture relationships with CoE and UMTRI faculty collaborators.
- Stimulate new project ideas and partnerships (both internal and external).

Lead project management for UM-MTRAC for Transportation
- Assist faculty with project proposal preparation and their execution, including milestone optimization, revision and completion, relative to translational goals.
- Coordinate with internal and external commercialization resources (e.g. prototype development, external business consulting firms, business school and venture capital firms.)

Evaluate Business Opportunities from UM-MTRAC Projects
- Evaluate business opportunities related to UM technologies by analyzing product development status, customer needs, market factors and resource requirements.
- Assist and mentor inventors to make critical business decisions either directly or by linking to specific mentors from the Oversight Committee.
- Work closely with OTT team, especially the licensing and venture formation teams, and leveraging Mentors-In-Residence where appropriate.
- Work closely with CFE to build faculty attraction, funding opportunities, and entrepreneurial support.

Assist with other initiatives to build partnerships for projects
- Maintain a working knowledge of other translational and gap funding programs both within the university and in the local community that can further support UM-MTRAC projects.
- Serve as the University of Michigan?s day-to-day contact with the MEDC and other participating MTRAC universities to share best practices and work through program challenges.

Provide University-wide outreach for emerging technology opportunities in Transportation
- Maintain a working knowledge of other research and grant opportunities connected to transportation
- Provide encouragement and mentoring to researchers who could benefit from translational funding
- Coordinate with OTT licensing and business formation specialists with these emerging opportunities
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Manage overall program finances and reporting
- Manage oversight of program funds, and coordinate with those designated to assist with commercialization strategy development (patent landscape, market assessments, product development resources, etc.)
- Prepare quarterly progress reports, presentations to the MEDC, and other reporting requirements.
- Supervise UM-MTRAC administrative support, part-time interns or temporary employees and subcontracted vendors.

Required Qualifications*

- Bachelor degree in engineering or a related technical field;
- Five years experience in a technology or business development role;
- Working knowledge of current strategies, requirements and implementation practices to successfully bring technology to market;
- Excellent project and product management, team-building skills with strong comfort level for multi-tasking;
- High-energy, enthusiastic, self-motivated with strong sales, marketing and communication skills;
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills including the ability to successfully interact with a variety of audiences: scientists, research sponsors, industry representatives and college administration;
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment;
- Ability to effectively coach faculty member in areas outside of their research expertise, including business management and commercialization;
- Proactive and goal-oriented.

Desired Qualifications*

- Advanced degree in engineering or a related field;
- Network of industry contacts;
- Ten years experience in a technology or business development role;
- Experience in academia and familiarity with University procedures;
- Experience in an academic technology transfer office;
- Experience in new technology commercialization.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Requirements

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