Director, Business Development

The System Offices is one of several system members within the Texas A&M University System representing one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a network of 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M – Fort Worth and the Texas A&M - RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M University System mission is to provide education, conduct research, commercialize technology, offer training, and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond.

The System Offices, within the Texas A&M University System, provides an outstanding benefits package including, but not limited to: competitive health benefits; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; a defined benefit retirement plan to include an employer contribution through Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS); if applicable, a defined contribution retirement plan to include an employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor: additional voluntary tax deferred annuity (TDA) options; tuition assistance; and wellness programs to promote work/life balance.

Texas A&M Innovation is the commercialization and industry engagement arm of The Texas A&M University System, one of the largest and most research-intensive university systems in the United States, spanning eleven universities and eight state agencies. The office is responsible for protecting and commercializing intellectual property arising from System research, launching and supporting new ventures, building strategic industry relationships, and cultivating an innovation ecosystem that translates research into economic and societal impact. 

Commensurate with experience.

The Director of Business Development leads the Innovation Office's proactive, outbound industry engagement strategy. Where much of the office's industry activity is inbound - companies coming to Texas A&M with a defined need - the Director of Business Development goes out into the market to identify companies whose technology roadmaps, R&D priorities, and strategic gaps align with System research and IP, and to open conversations that lead to licenses, sponsored research, joint development, and other commercial engagements.

The Director builds and manages a portfolio of corporate relationships across the System's core research sectors - including energy, agriculture, semiconductors and advanced electronics, advanced manufacturing, defense and national security, life sciences, and digital technologies - and works in close partnership with the Licensing, New Ventures, and Strategic Partnerships teams to translate those relationships into signed agreements and lasting commercial outcomes.

This role is measured on results, not activity. Success is defined by the executed licenses, options, sponsored research agreements, and strategic collaborations that flow from the Director's work - not by the volume of introductions made. The Director is also the founding leader of the Business Development team and is expected to recruit, develop, and lead a growing group of sector-focused Business Development professionals over time.

- Advanced degree (MS, MBA, PhD, JD, or equivalent) in a technical, business, or legal field.

- Experience in a university technology transfer office, national laboratory commercialization group, corporate R&D partnerships function, or comparable innovation-focused organization.
- Familiarity with sponsored research agreements, master research agreements, cooperative research and development agreements, and other university-industry engagement vehicles.
- Prior experience recruiting, building, or leading a team in a business development, partnerships, or industry engagement function.
- Sector fluency in one or more of the following: energy, agriculture, semiconductors and advanced electronics, advanced manufacturing, defense and national security, life sciences, or digital technologies.
- An established industry network in Texas, the Gulf Coast region, or national technology sectors relevant to System research.

This is a security-sensitive position and is restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. Only complete applications will be considered for employment at The Texas A&M System Offices. Incomplete job application data could result in your application being rejected without an option to reapply. A cover letter and resume may be required in addition to a completed employment application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.