Licensing Manager

Job Summary:

Licensing Managers are part of the licensing team, part of the broader Innovations team, and part of the CU Anschutz campus' team, bringing new technologies to patients. The Licensing Manager's primary function is to manage the day-to-day operations of a complex portfolio of University intellectual property in the life sciences, including therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. This includes independently evaluating, advancing, partnering and commercializing an intellectual property portfolio.

Licensing Managers will have strong portfolio commercialization skills, including understanding and assessing the intellectual assets developed in a faculty member's lab. They will encourage faculty to disclosure new ideas, inventions and other intellectual assets to Innovations. They are also responsible for assessing new inventions for technical merit, patentability, and commercial feasibility, while overseeing the filing and prosecution of patent applications where appropriate. They will independently identify and communicate with potential licensees to market technologies to industry. They are responsible for negotiating, drafting and enforcing options, licenses, IIAs, CDAs and other revenue generating agreements. Importantly, Licensing Managers must have the confidence and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with very senior, high-level faculty and executives in the business community.

Licensing Managers will confer with campus administrative staff and investigators on intellectual property protection and licensing, and to coordinate procedures to ensure compliance with rules, regulations, laws, university policies, and business contracts. The position requires the use of a variety of communications and computer database tools to track and convey issues and decisions about invention disclosures, patent applications, patent prosecution, patent issuance and maintenance, and all contractual agreements and financial arrangements related to a particular technology.

Key Responsibilities:

• The primary function is the management of a portfolio of university intellectual property in the life sciences disciplines.
• Understand and assess the intellectual assets in a faculty member's lab, whether patentable or not, encouraging disclosure of new ideas, inventions and other intellectual assets to TTO.
• Evaluate and analyze new invention disclosures for technical merit, meet with inventor(s), assess patentability, marketability, commercial feasibility and identify relevant industry contacts.
• Encourage the commercialization of innovation through multiple channels including industry collaborations, licensing or the formation of start-up companies.
• Develop commercialization strategies including product development and funding plans, identify critical path experiments, and source cross-functional teams.
• Develop licensing strategies, identify potential licensees, negotiate terms, draft agreements, and close deals.
• Manage patent-related activities, including the filing and prosecution of patent applications.
• Assist with the daily operations of the Campus and System Technology Transfer Offices.
• Organize educational programs for faculty, inventors, and entrepreneurs and serve as liaisons to the business community.
• Provide information and advice to investigators, students, and other campus staff on matters involving intellectual property policies, procedures and decisions.
• Mentor and support more junior members of the licensing team as it relates to the licensing and commercialization process.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director of Licensing.

Work Location:

Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

Innovations is an integral part of The University of Colorado Anschutz, a top-tier academic medical institution, collaborating with pioneering researchers, clinicians, staff, and external partners at the University of Colorado, staff at UCHealth and Children's Hospital Colorado. Together, we power innovation by imagining, discovering and commercializing advanced healthcare solutions, including treatments, medical devices, and cutting-edge technologies. Our mission at Innovations is driven by the unique collaborative environment we operate in, and our guiding principle is to transform breakthrough discoveries and treatments into realities within an efficient ecosystem that accelerates their availability to patients. This approach not only empowers our partners to have an immediate and meaningful impact but also enhances the quality of life and outcomes for patients now and in the future, at both CU and beyond.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in life sciences, health, or physical sciences, or in law or business with relevant knowledge of biological/life sciences. Substitution: A bachelor's degree in an unrelated field with a master's degree or PhD in life sciences, health, engineering, or physical sciences, or in law or business with relevant knowledge of biological/life sciences.
• 4 years of direct life sciences technology transfer, business development, industry research, licensing/patent management, or related experience at a research university, academic medical center, or in industry.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in life, health, or physical sciences, law or business.
• Experience including the development, preparation, negotiation, review, and execution of a wide range of licenses as demonstrated by a deal sheet and consistent management of a portfolio of cases.
• Pharmaceutical, medical device, and/or health IT commercialization experience including technology review, patent protection (as appropriate), FDA approval process, reimbursement, and negotiation.
• Knowledge of experience working with intellectual property protection methods, licensing practices, contract law, as well as government laws/regulations relating to technology transfer within industry and/or academia.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency in understanding healthcare related inventions, in areas such as therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health.
• Confidence and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with very senior, high-level faculty and licensing staff at other institutions and in the business community
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment; to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Team player and builder; works well in group environments; shares knowledge, expertise; provides assistance and accepts additional responsibility when necessary.
• Commitment to values and strong business ethics.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Ability to grasp complex scientific concepts and effectively promote them.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and close business deals.
• Ability to interact effectively in both academic and corporate cultures with scientists, research sponsors, industry representatives and patent attorneys.
• Technology and patent case management skills and prioritization abilities.
• Effective mentoring and collaboration skills.
• Ability to independently represent the Office at the most senior level with University faculty and leadership and Industry partners.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Self-starter in establishing relationships both internally and externally.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Lindley Pagels, Lindley.pagels@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by April 17, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $83,083 - $110,000.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.