Position Summary: The Chief Commercialization Officer shapes the strategic direction of and oversees City of Hope’s development and commercialization of research, intellectual property assets and data. The Chief Commercialization Officer will foster an entrepreneurial environment to enhance commercial success enabled by City of Hope intellectual property, data, research results and other assets, including internal development of assets, licensing of tools and technology, strategic partnerships and collaborations and launching new startup companies and strategic ventures. The Chief Commercialization Officer will serve as a key member of senior management and will help build a culture at City of Hope that values commercial success in addition to scientific discovery and advancement.   

STRATEGIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND OVERSIGHT

·       Develop a new strategic plan for the commercialization of City of Hope’s intellectual property, data, research results and other assets. Develop framework for assessing commercialization approach, including internal development, out-licensing, partnerships/strategic ventures and spin outs.  Identify and prioritize areas for new investment, new initiatives and expansion.

·       Provide executive leadership and oversight of City of Hope’s commercialization capabilities and activities.  Build or develop capabilities in internal development of assets, out-licensing, partnerships/strategic ventures and launching new companies/spin outs. Serve as a champion for City of Hope’s commercialization programs, initiatives and teams.

·       Develop and implement system-wide processes for prioritizing commercialization efforts. Explore opportunities for operational efficiencies to streamline the pathway for commercializing ideas and innovations. 

·       Develop goals and metrics to monitor the performance of key projects and programs.

Effectively communicate the vision, objectives and accomplishments of City of Hope’s commercialization activities to executive leadership and stakeholders

OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

·       Nurture and manage relationships with industry (including biotechnology companies and venture capital firms) for potential research collaborations, licensing deals and/or joint ventures.

·       Establish professional network of external companies and advisers through ongoing participation in conferences and other industry events.

·       Capture industry business challenges to help guide business development efforts and inform research conducted at City of Hope.

·       Identify and secure external funding for City of Hope’s commercialization activities and programs through fundraising, venture capital and other partnerships and endeavors.

Cultivate strategic alliances with companies and other collaborators to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization

FOSTER A CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEUERSHIP

·       Foster an environment where faculty and external collaborators feel supported in launching and scaling ideas and innovations. Work closely with faculty and staff inventors and entrepreneurs through all stages of the venture creation process.

Explore the feasibility of developing new programs to catalyze the commercialization of City of Hope’s intellectual property, data and other assets, such as an accelerator or incubator program and/or a venture fund

Position Requirements 

• Master’s degree in business administration or similar area

  10 years of senior-level professional and leadership experience in intellectual property management, technology transfer, drug development, commercialization, startups and/or strategic alliances.