Description VP Research is currently seeking a Full-time Regular
Director, Commercialization Disclosure Office.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Vice-President Research (VPR) Operations, the Director, CDO, will help launch the CDO and is accountable for ensuring that University researchers have a facility capable of:
- Receiving and assessing their Disclosures of Intent to Commercialize;
- Determining the appropriate revenue-sharing arrangement;
- Leading negotiation of revenue-sharing agreements;
- Coordinating execution and financial hand-off of executed agreements; and
- Generally providing authoritative guidance regarding University policies governing commercialization.
The Director will work across the University's commercialization ecosystem, building trusted relationships with researchers, faculty and institute leaders, Legal Services, Finance and Research Services. A particularly close and collaborative working relationship with Innovate Calgary will be essential to provide researchers with coordinated guidance and a clear pathway from disclosure through commercialization. The Director will navigate matters involving novel business structures, equity, intellectual property, research agreement encumbrances, conflicts of interest or commitment, use of University resources, and the interests of students, research associates and other creators.
This is an opportunity for an experienced, service-oriented leader to work with VPR leadership in developing a function that helps researchers understand University policy requirements, access timely education and practical guidance, and move efficiently through the commercialization pathway. The successful candidate will bring an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement, using stakeholder feedback, operational experience and emerging best practices to refine services over time. They will exercise sound independent judgment, help manage legal and reputational risk, and develop practical solutions where precedent or established procedures may not yet exist.
The position requires regular on-site presence to foster strong relationships with researchers and key partners across the University, including Innovate Calgary. The role may experience peak periods associated with complex negotiations, urgent commercialization timelines, institutional reporting and implementation milestones.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Team Leadership and People Management
- Recruit, orient, train, coach and manage a small team of specialized professionals to carry out the mandate of the CDO.
- Establish clear roles, scope of authority, performance expectations and development plans for all team members.
- Plan workloads and priorities, monitor capacity and service pressures, and adjust resources or processes to maintain timely completion of work.
- Create an inclusive, collaborative and service-oriented work environment that supports sound judgment, learning, accountability and respectful stakeholder relationships.
- Provide oversight and quality assurance for staff activities while enabling appropriate independence and professional growth.
- Respond to Inquiries from Research Community.
- Receive inquiries from researchers on all aspects of policy compliance related to commercialization, providing explanations and guidance on next steps.
Manage Disclosures and Revenue Sharing Agreements
- Evaluate whether the researcher has provided sufficient evidence of commercial readiness and a viable plan to proceed with commercialization. Offer options for obtaining support in business planning, where appropriate.
- Determine the appropriate revenue-sharing option under Intellectual Property Policy and related frameworks, and clearly explain the implications. Lead the finalization of revenue sharing terms of agreement, with support from Legal Services where necessary.
- Coordinate execution of revenue sharing-agreements by the appropriate University signing authority and ensure timely hand-off to Finance for ongoing administration.
- Monitor active files, commitments, follow-up requirements and service timelines, and ensure records are complete, secure and auditable.
Policy Compliance and Risk Management
- Engage researchers in discussion about key compliance issues, including conflicts of interest or commitment, use of laboratories or other University resources and the role of Outside Professional Activity.
- Interpret and apply the Intellectual Property Policy and other University policies and procedures relevant to commercialization.
- Assess the provenance of discoveries described in Disclosures and investigate potential intellectual property encumbrances arising from research contracts, grants, collaboration agreements or other funding relationships.
- Engage researchers in discussion about the interests of potential co-inventors, including colleagues, graduate students, research associates and other contributors, and determine whether additional documentation or specialist advice is required.
Build Stakeholder Engagement
- Create awareness of the CDO within the University community as an authoritative source for information and guidance on policies related to commercialization.
- Establish effective operating relationships and information-sharing protocols with Innovate Calgary, Legal Services, Finance and other internal partners.
- Engage with faculty and institute leadership, researchers and other stakeholders to explain new processes, address concerns and promote compliance.
Systems, Communications and Continuous Improvement
- Establish secure file storage and management systems, data exchange and record-retention practices, including appropriate information exchange systems with Innovate Calgary.
- Design and document standard operating procedures and create appropriate templates, forms, checklists and decision tools.
- Design and deliver presentations, workshops and targeted communications for faculties, institutes, hubs and the broader research community.
- Prepare briefings on any emerging issues as well as periodic reports on activity levels, completed files, and communication activities.
- Use operational data, stakeholder feedback, file reviews and risk trends to assess effectiveness and continuously improve the service model.
Other Responsibilities
- Participate in relevant committees, working groups and institutional initiatives.
- Build and maintain professional networks relevant to commercialization and technology transfer.
- Seek out relevant professional development activities related to commercialization, technology transfer, research administration and intellectual property.
- Undertake other related duties and strategic projects as assigned.
Qualifications / Requirements:- Undergraduate degree in business, science, engineering, technology commercialization, innovation management or a related discipline. A law degree is not required but experience with contracting and legal agreements may be considered an asset.
- A recognized credential in entrepreneurship, intellectual property or negotiation is an asset.
- An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
Experience
- Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in a business, academic or public sector setting with a focus on innovation management or venture development.
- Familiarity with issues facing start-up ventures, including share structures, investment, growth strategies, revenue models and intellectual property management.
- Familiarity with the structure of commercial legal documents and the typical negotiation routines for commercial agreements.
- Experience interacting with internal legal advisors and external legal representatives, and ability to understand their positions and facilitate communication.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying complex policies or regulatory requirements to fact situations.
- Demonstrated experience in performing an advisory role, especially serving those who are new to entrepreneurship and who may require referral to expert resources for additional support.
- Experience establishing a new program, office, service or operational function.
- Experience in a team leadership role, including selecting, developing, coaching and managing professional staff.
- Experience developing authoritative online and print resources, including procedures, guidelines, FAQs, forms, templates and briefing materials.
- Experience in a university or similarly complex multi-stakeholder environment is an asset.
Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities
- Entrepreneurial mindset, with a bias towards action and ability to design and implement new services to meet the evolving needs of a demanding user group.
- Demonstrated resilience under pressure, with the ability to produce results while systems and processes are being developed.
- Superior judgment and analytical ability, including the capacity to make decisions when limited information is available and quickly adapt to changing circumstances where necessary.
- Strong understanding of commercialization and innovation ecosystems, intellectual property concepts and research funding relationships.
- Highly developed negotiation, facilitation, conflict-resolution and relationship-management skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy and commercial concepts into clear, practical guidance.
- Discretion and integrity when managing sensitive, confidential or contentious matters.
- Demonstrated political acuity and ability to lead through difficult and ambiguous situations; skill in establishing priorities, coordinating multiple workstreams and delivering results under time pressure.
- Strong project management skills, including planning, implementation, performance measurement and continuous improvement.
Position Success Measures
- Disclosures and revenue sharing agreements are assessed, negotiated and approved in a timely manner and in accordance with University policies and procedures.
- The University research community comes to recognize the CDO as a reliable and authoritative source of information and support on policy compliance issues related to commercialization.
- The CDO has developed content-rich web resources, FAQs, guidance documents and template agreements to serve the research community.
- The CDO has created and documented operating processes and service standards.
Application Deadline: October 28, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the
Management Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our
Management and Staff Careers website .
