Commercialization and Licensing Manager

Georgia Southern University is the state's largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With nearly 150 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 "high research" university and serves more than 29,500 students from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and more than 100 countries.

With four vibrant campuses - the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, the Liberty Campus in Hinesville, and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro - Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment that encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned specialized accreditation from numerous professional and academic associations that set standards in their respective fields.

Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority. With a focus on hands-on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive, student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed.

Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally recognized for the caliber of its academic programs and student experience. Georgia Southern University has also been recognized by Forbes as one of "America's Best-In-State Employers" for 2025.

Armstrong Campus - Savannah, GA

OR 

Statesboro Campus - Statesboro, GA

Tech Transfer Office

Reporting to the Vice President for Research, the Commercialization and Licensing Manager must fulfill organizational, interpersonal, scientific/technical, entrepreneurial, and marketing responsibilities. The position is a non-academic (12-month) appointment.

This position is time limited and 100% sponsored-funded; therefore, continued employment is contingent upon availability of grant or contract funding.

• Proactively identify and evaluate promising research and technologies for commercialization by engaging faculty and researchers, particularly in advance of public disclosure or publication, and assessing opportunities for intellectual property protection, translational funding, licensing, and startup formation
• Advise, build, and maintain a strong external commercialization network of industry partners, investors, entrepreneurs, startups, licensing prospects, funding organizations, and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for Georgia Southern research, technology translation, and economic impact. Mentor faculty and researchers on commercialization and entrepreneurial opportunities, including customer discovery, business-model development, market validation, industry needs, technology positioning, and pathways for translating research into products, services, or businesses
• Connect faculty innovators with translational funding and commercialization resources, including programs such as NSF I-Corps, NSF Partnerships for Innovation, SBIR/STTR, Georgia Research Alliance programs, and other external funding or entrepreneurial resources
• Actively market Georgia Southern's intellectual property portfolio to companies, entrepreneurs, investors, startups, and other potential commercialization partners through targeted outreach, presentations, networking, and other business-development activities, working collaboratively with all Tech Transfer Office staff
• Lead and support licensing activities for Georgia Southern technologies, including identifying prospective licensees, developing licensing strategies, supporting deal structures and negotiations, and coordinating the execution and ongoing management of licensing relationships
• Develop and implement commercialization strategies for university intellectual property, including assessing market opportunities, identifying potential industry and commercialization partners, developing technology value propositions, and determining appropriate pathways to market.

Educational Requirements

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in university technology transfer or a closely related field, such as patents, venture capital, product management, and/or licensing

Required Experience

• Ability to comprehend a wide range of technologies, understand cutting-edge innovations, and explain their value proposition to business and industry
• Ability to handle all aspects of technology licensing, including strategies, conceptualization, mentoring, legal requirements, alternative financial/royalty/equity structures, negotiations, and finalization
• Ability to market innovative technologies to a wide range of potential funders, investors, licensors, start-ups, and large multinational corporations
• Ability to seek out, connect with, and maintain positive working relationships with a variety of outside sources of funding for research, technology translation and commercialization, and start-ups
• Ability to support and guide a variety of innovation start-ups from conception to first sales
• A practical, applied understanding of the legal, business, scientific, technical, and/or entrepreneurship aspects of university intellectual property processes, patents, copyrights, and technology transfer

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success

Preferred Educational Qualifications

• Three (3) years or more of documented success, within a university setting, in innovation, commercialization, and licensing processes, including translational funding and the formation of start-ups

Preferred Experience

• Documented success in all aspects of technology licensing, including strategies, conceptualization, mentoring, legal requirements, alternative financial/royalty/equity structures, negotiations, and finalization
• Documented success in comprehending a wide range of technologies, understanding cutting-edge innovations, and explaining their value proposition to business and industry 
• Documented success in marketing innovative technologies to a wide range of potential funders, investors, licensors, start-ups, and large multinational corporations
• Documented success in gaining funding from a variety of outside sources for research, technology translation, and commercialization, and/or start-ups
• Documented success guiding a variety of innovation start-ups from conception to first sales
• Experience creating a start-up business and/or documented success working in such a setting
• Documented wide-ranging applied knowledge of the legal, business, scientific, technical, and/or entrepreneurship aspects of university intellectual property processes, patents, copyrights, and technology transfer
• Documented success in contributing to a positive work environment
• Experience with relevant organizations such as the USPTO, NSF, I-Corps, AUTM, NAI, UIDP, ABA, SBIR/STTR, GRA, or GIPA  

$65,000 - $70,000

This is an exempt position paid on a monthly basis.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Two (2) Professional References

ABILITIES

• Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
• Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
• Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and secure sensitive information
• Ability to glean the specific technical challenges and innovation needs of industries and businesses and convey them back to faculty researchers in relevant fields

KNOWLEDGE

• Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills
• Knowledge of patent portfolio management, maintenance costs, and timelines
• Knowledge of license monitoring, auditing, and enforcement

SKILLS

• Consistently exhibit engaging customer service

Open Until Filled

Application review may begin on September 3, 2026.

For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at (912) 478-6947 or by email at hrservice@georgiasouthern.edu.

For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. 

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request. 

Legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment without assistance from the University. 

Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community. 

Proof of valid driver's license upon and throughout employment. 

This position is time limited and 100% sponsored-funded; therefore, continued employment is contingent upon availability of grant or contract funding.

Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947.

• Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation  
• Work generally performed in an office environment  
• Workweek may occasionally extend beyond 40 hours  
• Travel may be required 

• Standard + Education & DMV