Director of Innovation and Commercialization

Overview

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…