ASU Enterprise Partners - Engineering Commercialization Analyst ,  Skysong Innovations

What we do:
ASU Enterprise Partners is a global-reaching non-profit based in Tempe, AZ. We raise resources to support students, researchers and programs at Arizona State University so that they can improve the world.

As is customary at ASU, we operate a little differently: not only do we cultivate philanthropy, we also identify real estate, technology transfer, international partnership and defense research opportunities that yield private support for the university. You can learn more about each of these entities at www.asuenterprisepartners.org.

Who we are:
Our team is varied – fundraisers, designers, scholars, financial wizards, ex-CEOs, filmmakers, venture capitalists, inventors, volunteers – and each member brings a different perspective to our vision.

Regardless of background, we share a mission that we can help, that quality higher education should be accessible -- no matter from where one comes -- and that we are responsible for the wellbeing of the communities we live in and serve.

Want to advance the most innovative university in the country – and your work? Join us.

There is no single career journey at Enterprise Partners. Roles often shift as passions are discovered. You’ll be encouraged to look across the organization to determine if new areas are of interest – whether in fundraising, real estate development, social media or something else. Training courses are offered every week, and our main offices face ASU’s Tempe campus, where our employees’ tuition is significantly reduced.

Our advancement opportunities are real – and so is the ability to be part of an intellectually stimulating, people-focused, mission-driven team doing meaningful work in a beautiful, vibrant, sunlit location.

Details about our comprehensive benefits are available at https://www.asuenterprisepartners.org/careers/benefits.

Partner Description:

Skysong Innovations
As the top-rated university for innovation, Arizona State is a powerful generator of intellectual capital and technology. Skysong Innovations, a private non-profit organization, disseminates and manages that capital in the marketplace by nurturing relationships between faculty, investors and industry partners. Since its creation in 2003, Skysong Innovations has launched more than 120 startups, which support over 1,000 jobs and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to Arizona’s economy.

General Summary:

·       The mission statement for the Physical Science Technology Transfer function is to identify, evaluate, protect, market and commercialize innovative physical science based technologies developed at Arizona State University, a $600MM research enterprise. The aim is for ASU technologies to be licensed to both established and startup companies with a view to promoting societal benefits while also ensuring a fair return for the university While the incumbent will be joining SI to assist in the evaluation of technologies for commercial potential, prepare written non-confidential descriptions, assist in the development of commercial strategies and identify potential licensees for technologies. The major activity will be to carry out marketing campaigns, updating marketing records and following up on leads.

·         Further, he/she will search relevant business information and analyze commercial factors such as market size, developmental risk, and competitive environment.  He/she will work independently with the internet and other technology and literature database tools to perform research on the new technology for commercial potential. SI has an extensive database of companies working in a wide range of PS related fields and the successful candidate will need to maintain and update this database on a regular basis. He/she will assist the other members of the PS team in determining the keys aspects of invention disclosure with respect to marketing strategies and will take the lead in all marketing activities.

·         Through on-the-job training, he/she will develop a working knowledge of the technology transfer process including patent management, and the negotiation of technology transfer agreements. This will lead to making preliminary recommendations supporting final investment decisions and assisting other SI staff with invention disclosure reviews and inventor interviews. Report writing and presentation skills are essential.

What you'll do: 

·         Preparing written non-confidential disclosures, assembling a target-marketing list, recording marketing activities in Inteum database and running marketing campaigns for faculty innovations.

·         Perform market research studies to aid the assessment of disclosures. Create Market research reports and marketing documents.

·         Conduct and support marketing outreach activities and support licensing negotiations

·         Actively market PS technologies via e-mail campaigns and support the PS team in formulating strategies to bring innovations to market.

·         If needed interact closely with ASU faculty  to monitor their research activities and to solicit and assist with the completion and submission of invention disclosures

·         If needed meet and work with faculty to explain ASU’s technology transfer activities, solicit invention disclosures, and explain the patent application process and Skysong Innovation’s standard procedures and practices.

·         Make presentations to faculty and student groups

·         Provide back up and support to the PS team as needed in any aspect of the technology transfer process.

Other duties as assigned

What you'll need:

• Collaborative and considerate style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment
• Ability and drive to learn to new skills
• Understanding of, and interest in, high-technology companies and their market needs
• Experience with maintaining and using databases both in-house and external
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone with co-workers, faculty, researchers, administrators and industry (with an emphasis on the ability to listen carefully, speak tactfully, and write professional-quality emails and other written correspondence)
• Team orientated strategist; able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies
• Ability to maintain a high-degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Skysong Innovation, the Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties
• Highly organized with ability to multitask.
• Adept at navigating complex situations with evolving priorities and communication plans
• Ability to represent and promote the institution as an advocate of the vision of ASU as the New American University

Relevant Qualifications:

A graduate degree in chemistry, materials science, or engineering with additional business education (an MBA is preferred) or an undergraduate degree with business analyst, marketing and/or business development experience.  Equivalent experience will also be considered.  It is preferred that he/she possesses good scientific grounding in specific areas such as computer sciences, a broad spectrum of engineering fields including biomedical engineering.

 Skysong Innovations, through ASU Enterprise Partners offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan and reduced tuition at ASU.

For more information on Skysong Innovations, visit our existing web site at www.skysonginnovations.com

Skysong Innovations is an equal opportunity employer