The Office of Research Partnerships & Technology Transfer (RPTT) enables federal agencies (other than the US Department of Energy), and private sector organizations to access Brookhaven National Laboratory’s science and technology capabilities for research and development work through preparing, negotiating, and securing DOE approval for legal agreements between Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and the research partners. The Office administers all agreements through project completion. The Office also manages the transfer of BNL-generated Intellectual Property to the private sector for commercialization, through the patent and licensing process.

The Director will be a member of the Laboratory’s Senior Leadership Council, manage 4 direct reports, oversee the various business processes within the organization, interact with science and technology clients across the Laboratory, advise BNL Leadership on challenges and opportunities, represent BNL at DOE-wide meetings, conferences, and workshops, maintain a productive working relationship with the DOE Site Office (BHSO), and expand and strengthen partnership relationships with local/state agencies, non-profits, and the private sector. 

BNL capabilities and expertise are made available to other agencies to solve national challenges and to the private sector to support the US economy and US competitiveness.

Position Description

The Director, a member of the Laboratory’s senior leadership team, serves as BNL’s functional and thought leader for research partnerships and technology transfer strategy and execution, leveraging BNL’s scientific and technology capabilities to perform non-DOE funded research and development work for various public and private sector organization, and transferring BNL-generated Intellectual Property to the private sector for commercialization. 

The Director manages the people, resources, and business processes within the Office, advises BNL leadership and staff, represents BNL at DOE-wide events, maintains a productive working relationship with the DOE Site Office (BHSO), and strengthens the partnership relationship with local/state agencies, non-profits, and the private sector.  The Director, as part of the senior leadership team enhances BNL's economic development role and positions BNL as an important and appropriate contributor to global, national, state, and local economic growth.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with internal clients and negotiate with external parties to develop agreements for specific R&D projects. Negotiate complex contracting terms and conditions to address unique issues and make it possible for BNL to move forward with partnership activities to the benefit of the Laboratory and its partners. 
• Develop and enter into interagency agreements with other federal agencies and agreements with non-federal partners.
• Develop and implement, and continuously improve, policies, processes, and systems to support preparation and submission of partnership proposals, conducting risk evaluations, securing required approval, administering agreements, and providing status information to clients and Laboratory leadership.
• Lead the RPTT organization to meet the institutional needs most efficiently.
• Communicate BNL capabilities and expertise to outside stakeholders and develop and maintain relationships with partners.
• Manage the relationship with DOE-Office of Technology Transitions, oversee the response to data requests, and develop proposals for expanding entrepreneurship and technology transfer at BNL.
• Work closely with the Laboratory’s senior leadership team, Legal Office, Business Services Directorate, and science and technology clients, to expand the lab’s non-DOE research and development portfolio.
• Evaluate lab inventions, pursue patents, and identify new opportunities to license technologies to maximize the impact and benefits of the Laboratory’s science and technology.
• Work with the Lab's Stakeholder Relations organization to increase BNL's impact.
• Ensure the organization complies with lab-wide policies and processes that govern the evaluation of the business risk of proposed projects and their submission.
• Champion Safety and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• BA or BS in a related discipline, i.e. STEM focus, Business.
• 15+ years of related experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in contract development and negotiations involving multiple parties, and a background in contract law.
• Experience with Intellectual Property (IP) and copyright laws.
• Experience in leading and managing a team within a highly skilled scientific and/or technical environment, including establishing a compelling vison to inspire the team, setting shared goals, optimizing business processes and systems, growing people, managing resources and projects, meeting deadlines, and adjusting the organization structure as needed to deliver results.
• Strong relationship building skills that will enable establishing and sustaining productive relationships with internal clients, external parties, and major sponsors, and serving as the Laboratory’s representative in various peer groups at the national level.
• Experience in leading change management initiatives:  preparing, supporting, and helping individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change.
• Experience in business development:  developing and implementing growth opportunities. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to quickly prepare and deliver high quality, impactful presentations.
• Demonstrated deep and sustained commitment to Safety and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Degree in Law or an MBA or a PhD with a STEM focus.
• Experience leading or working in an organization with the same mission, at another DOE national laboratory, including knowledge and experience with implementing the applicable DOE Orders.
• Experience with obtaining and administering grants and working with the staff of state or federal government economic development programs and incentives.
• Experience with executing the patent and licensing process.
• Experience as a Contracting Officer at another national laboratory, DOE, or other federal agency.

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:

• Physical ability to travel.
• Ability to function in a high-stress environment.

Other Information:

• Obtaining and maintaining a DOE Q clearance would be beneficial in the execution of this position.