Licensing Manager

Lead the charge in driving innovation and maximizing the impact of intellectual property (IP) by joining Berkeley Lab as a Licensing Manager in the Intellectual Property Office! Reporting to the Chief Technology Transfer Officer, the Licensing Manager is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of IP licensing at Berkeley Lab, including independently negotiating and managing licensing activities for lab intellectual property at one of the world’s leading research institutions. Proficiency in licensing best practices is required. Responsibilities include negotiating and drafting terms for technology options, licenses, agreements, and managing intellectual property provisions in research agreements such as Cooperative Research and Development Agreements and Strategic Partnership Project agreements. This position also oversees the Principal Licensing Associate and ensures effective collaboration with various departments. 

Berkeley Lab’s Intellectual Property Office licenses cutting-edge research that saves lives, generates revenue and jobs, reduces energy costs and consumption, and creates new industries. As such, the Laboratory has partnered with hundreds of companies in moving technology out the door and was recently awarded seven R&D 100 Awards. Together, Berkeley Lab’s Intellectual Property Office and the Strategic Partnerships Office – the two offices with the greatest interface with industry and with creating economic activity – play a key role in facilitating the efficient and timely movement of Lab-developed technologies to market, leveraging the research enterprise and technology transfer programs to create maximum impact to society. An ideal candidate for this position will possess a strong interest in and awareness of DOE national laboratories and the critical roles they play among industry, academia, research institutions and other science agencies within the nation’s innovation ecosystem. 

What You Will Do:

• Negotiate legal terms of IP agreements, ensuring consistency with business terms.
• Review business terms negotiated by the technology commercialization function.
• Prepare draft IP agreements based on business terms and templates.
• Collaborate with counterparties to negotiate legal terms in a timely manner.
• Seek input from the legal function on unique or risky terms as needed.
• Ensure negotiated IP agreements meet the needs of both parties.
• Supervise and mentor the Principal Licensing Associate.
• Negotiate and execute various agreements containing intellectual property terms.
• Participate in initiatives to improve practices related to IP agreement management.
• Collaborate with compliance and finance functions to ensure agreement obligations are met.
• Identify opportunities to improve the licensing process for faster technology transfer.
• Understand and manage compliance requirements for the patent license portfolio.
• Stay updated on Department of Energy (DOE) requirements to ensure Berkeley Lab's licensing practices comply.
• Advise Berkeley Lab employees on legal aspects of IP agreements.
• Represent Berkeley Lab to UC campuses, DOE national laboratories, and industry.
• Maintain database entries critical for tracking performance metrics, and ensure accurate and up-to-date database records.

What is Required:

• Bachelor's degree in the life sciences or a related technical area and 10+ years of experience negotiating and drafting complex IP and licensing agreements; or Juris Doctor (J.D.) and 5+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent judgment in intellectual property and industry relationship management issues.
• Previous experience in identifying, assessing, and commercializing early-stage technologies.
• Demonstrated supervisory and mentoring experience.
• Strong communication skills, capable of presenting material persuasively and professionally, orally or in writing, regarding matters of law, policy, and science to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to proactively stay updated on national and international developments in IP agreement management.
• Proficiency in computer literacy, including web-based research, utilization of intellectual property databases, and office productivity software.

Desired Qualifications:

• M.B.A. and/or advanced technical degree.
• Familiarity with Department of Energy (DOE) and/or university guidelines related to intellectual property and licensing.
• Experience with material transfer and non-disclosure agreements.
• Industry experience, particularly in the life sciences.
• Project management experience.

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position is expected to pay $170,000 to $200,000, which fits within the full salary range of $143,736 to $242,556 for the Licensing Manager 1 job classification. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications and experience (including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications), as well as aligned with the internal leadership peer group.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• This position will involve access to hardware, commodities, and technical information subject to export control regulations including, but not limited to, the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and/or International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR").  Accordingly, any hiring decision may depend in part on Berkeley Lab’s ability to obtain or rely on federal government authorizations as required, if you are not a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (“green card holder”), asylee, refugee, or other qualifying protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
• This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the California Political Reform Act of 1974. The successful candidate for this position will be required to file financial interest statements upon assuming this position, annually while holding this position, and when leaving this position.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule - a combination of teleworking and performing work on site a minimum of 1 day per week at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. 

Learn About Us:

Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory managed by the University of California and designated a Federally Funded Research and Development Center. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have a close relationship with UC Berkeley, as well as robust partnerships with other academic institutions and industries, including those in Silicon Valley. The Laboratory conducts world-class research that supports clean energy, a healthy planet, and solution-inspired discovery science. Berkeley Lab is defined by our deeply felt sense of stewardship, which we describe as a commitment to taking care of the Laboratory's research, people, and resources that are entrusted to us. Our values of team science, innovation, service, trust, and respect knit us together as a community. We practice these values and prioritize our principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability (IDEA) to build highly effective teams that produce world-class science and technology and where all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences, can thrive.

Working at Berkeley Lab has many rewards including a competitive compensation program, excellent health and welfare programs, a retirement program that is second to none, and outstanding development opportunities. To view information about the many rewards that are offered at Berkeley Lab- Click Here.

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab’s mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. 

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links: Know your rights, click here for the supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.40.