Industry Engagement, Marketing & Communications Manager
Job description
SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:
Dean of Research / Office of Technology Licensing: The Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) was established in 1970 to manage the intellectual property assets of Stanford University. OTL evaluates, markets, and licenses technology owned by the University. OTL's mission is to encourage effective technology transfer for the public benefit as well as generating royalty income for Stanford to benefit research and education. OTL is one of the country's most active offices in the field of technology transfer from the university to industry. Our staff, most of whom are professionals engaged directly in licensing, manages over 3,000 active dockets.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) is seeking to fill an Industry Engagement, Marketing & Communications Manager position. In this role, you will independently lead complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives to enhance industry engagement, strengthen commercialization pathways, and elevate the visibility of university technologies. You will oversee the full project management lifecycle and direct initiatives requiring high levels of integration across licensing, marketing, faculty engagement, and corporate partnership development.
This position serves as a senior subject matter expert in technology commercialization and industry partnership strategy. Responsibilities include developing and executing OTL’s annual marketing and business development strategy and communications strategies, leading targeted industry engagement initiatives, advancing strategic partnerships, managing project scope and resources, and facilitating outreach and stakeholder alignment. The role requires expertise in market analysis, commercialization strategy, intellectual property fundamentals, and strategic communications. The preference for this position is to be based at the Stanford work location with the option of a hybrid work arrangement, subject to operational need. Hybrid work arrangements require a regular presence at the Stanford work location determined based on business needs, and are typically two, three, or four days per week or an equivalent amount of time monthly.
This is a 100% FTE, benefits-eligible position. The preference for this position is to be based at the Stanford work location with the option of a hybrid work arrangement, subject to operational need. Hybrid work arrangements require a regular presence at the Stanford work location that is determined based on business needs, and is typically two, three, or four days per week or an equivalent amount of time monthly. For consideration, please submit resume. All final candidates must complete a background check.
CORE DUTIES:
- Perform the full range of project management cycle: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling, and closing. Independently lead and direct projects requiring high levels of functional integration and involving multiple disciplines to be managed.
- Direct development of an action plan, and estimate requirements for resources, including management, labor, materials, and time required to complete project.
- Facilitate discussions and negotiations to drive recommendation consensus.
- Develop and help execute comprehensive change management strategy and communication plan relative to project scope and stakeholders; orchestrate and lead change management methodologies underlying project success.
- These elements typically delineate the project management involved at this level: charter origination or scope identification and shaping, scope definition; # of disciplines /stakeholders to manage is across-university impact, and city, county constituents; risk-manage, control and report on risk associated with more complicated projects, affecting division or program as it relates to their project portfolio and risk sharing and control is skewed further to the project manager; project complexity involves synthesizing complex technical data and driving decisions; primary university relationship is at the senior associate/administrative dean, faculty and directors level cumulative budget/scope up to $250k.
Qualifications:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related field and five years relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience in leading management of projects with extensive size/complexity/multiple stakeholders and moderate performance risk, including project planning, scheduling, tracking, and budgeting, or combination of education. Relevant experience should include strategic marketing/communications, industry engagement/business development, and/or technology commercialization support requiring translation of technical concepts for external audiences (companies and investors/VCs).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific and commercial concepts to diverse internal and external audiences (Stanford researchers, licensing professionals, university leadership, companies, and investors/VCs).
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Demonstrated leadership and project management skills, including the ability to independently initiate, develop, and execute strategic initiatives from concept through completion (e.g., marketing campaigns, industry showcases, and communications programs), including defining scope, deliverables, timelines, stakeholder roles, dependencies, and success measures.
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Strong relationship management, influencing, and negotiation skills, with experience in engaging with faculty, senior university leadership, corporate executives, and venture partners.
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Advanced analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to conduct market assessments, identify industry trends, and develop outreach approaches that support technology commercialization objectives.
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Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, make data-informed decisions, and solve complex problems in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.
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Working knowledge of technology commercialization processes, intellectual property fundamentals, licensing process, and relevant contract, patent, and regulatory considerations.
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Ability to synthesize complex technical, market, and strategic information to guide prioritization and drive consensus across cross-functional teams.
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Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-impact projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
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Experience developing and implementing strategic marketing and industry engagement plans, including digital outreach, conference strategy, and partnership cultivation to increase engagement with companies and investors.
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Proficiency with business systems and analytics tools, including CRM platforms, marketing analytics tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn and implement new enterprise technologies and reporting dashboards.
Certifications and Licenses: N/A
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
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Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, seated work and use light/ fine grasping.
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Occasionally stand, walk, use a telephone, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
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Rarely writes by hand.
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Occasional work on evenings and weekends.
- Occasional travel may be required (less than 10% time).
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
The expected pay range for this position is $157,651 to $180,377 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate including but not limited to geographic location, knowledge, skills and abilities, relevant education, depth and breadth of experience, performance; as well as other business and organization needs such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the minimum qualifications, departmental budget availability, and market and internal equity across the unit, department and reporting relationships.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.