Content Marketing and Licensing Manager

Ann Arbor, Michigan, A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. The Content Marketing and Licensing Manager will lead the intake, assessment, management and marketing activities for innovative content-based inventions across the university. This includes innovations spanning Software, Mobile, XR/AR/VR, Content, Patient Reported Outcome Measures (Surveys), Data and Digital technologies.

Key activities will include active outreach, scouting and support efforts to the innovation community, active management of U-M?s content management and marketing system platforms and publishing channels, as well as supporting marketing activities with the Innovation Partnerships licensing team. This position will report to the Director of Software, Content Licensing and Research Partnerships. This position will actively manage outreach to the U-M Innovation community seeking invention disclosures for innovative content The primary job responsibility of the Content Marketing and Licensing Manager is the proactive management and development of the U-M?s Content based innovation ecosystem. This includes responsibility and ownership for actively marketing, managing and licensing innovative content and actively seeking out new content across the university.

The Content Marketing and Licensing manager will be the primary point of contact for researchers and other licensing team members for the promotion and management of U-M based content and systems including mobile publishing, XR/AR/VR publishing and online commerce for direct (express) licensed content. The position will proactively seek out new content, improve and optimize systems and educate users to ensure effective publishing, marketing and licensing across all content management channels. Finally, the Content Marketing and Licensing Manager will lead efforts to develop and optimize world class content marketing programs in collaboration with innovators and the licensing team.  Innovation Management Lead and manage intake of  new inbound Content based inventions including the following activities: Actively seek out content based Invention Reports across the university. Actively engage the Innovation ecosystem via departmental meetings, 1:1 innovator meetings and through education and support engagements.

Consistently increase the U-M?s content based Invention Report rate, licensing rates and overall effectiveness in the dissemination and reputation development of this key area. Coordinate meetings and provide guidance to faculty, researchers and staff on new content based Invention Reports. Analyze new content based Invention Reports, in order to assess the technical merit, commercial potential and best management approach. Develop marketing campaigns to generate licensing opportunities.

Create non-confidential summaries of technologies, perform market research to identify potential licensees and prospects, and develop outbound marketing campaigns including social, email and cold call marketing as well as other appropriate channels. Prepare, edit, and manage the review and execution process for licensing agreements. Negotiate and manage the execution process for confidentiality agreements, interinstitutional agreements, material transfer agreements and other contractual documents as assigned.  Lead and manage the identification of key market requirements for current and future content based IP/products by conducting market research supported by dialogue with current customers, prospective customers and relevant industry experts. Assist in the early stage translational commercialization efforts via introducing content creators to options to further develop content including translation funding programs (Advance Grant, MTRAC KickStart, MTRAC, SBIR, STTR, etc.) as well as outside development or consulting services.  In collaboration with the inventors and development team, jointly develop and implement an initial commercialization action plan including go-to-market plan, technical description, outreach and key company identification and contact points.

Analyze potential partner relationships for the content based product portfolio. Assist in the continued optimization, development & evolution of the invention report intake process. This can include the development of relevant demonstration, promotional and related materials used for outbound marketing and awareness building. Systems Management Serve as the primary owner and expert in the management of Innovation Partnerships online licensing applications suite including end-user license agreement development (EULA) and publishing and deployment of self-service e-commerce solutions (e-Lucid).

Serve as the primary owner and expert in the management and development of U-M’s mobile application publishing infrastructure. This includes the development and maintenance of online resources, standards, agreements, processes, training materials, platform metrics and analytics for the Apple and Google storefronts. Serve as the primary owner and expert in the management and development of U-M’s XR/AR/VR application publishing infrastructure. This includes the development and maintenance of online resources, standards, agreements, processes, training materials, platform metrics and analytics for the Apple Meta, Microsoft and other emerging storefronts.

Serve as the primary owner and expert in the management and development of U-M’s measures application publishing infrastructure. This includes the development and maintenance of online resources, standards, agreements, processes, training materials, platform metrics and analytics for the MAPI storefronts. Actively Manage and communicate with the U-M research user community to ensure understanding and requirements to updates in policies, technical requirements and related changes for the associated application publishing infrastructure. Act as the lead U-M expert resource on these systems and actively market, promote and educate the U-M research community on these systems and opportunities.

Provide all needed in person and online resources and reference materials to expedite and optimize deep engagement and use of these platforms. Provide metrics and supporting reports to ensure deep understanding of use, impact and reach of content innovations across these platforms. Reporting should highlight key activities and engagement to the innovation community including inventors, development teams, labs, department chairs as well as to Innovation Partnerships Leadership. Actively Manage and provide expert guidance to the U-M research community on key supporting elements of content based solutions including privacy policy standards, terms of service management, content ratings systems and related publishing documentation.  Marketing Management Develop and manage invention marketing campaigns for licensing opportunities in collaboration with other licensing team members.

Co-develop supporting collateral materials including marketing abstracts/summaries, demonstration materials as appropriate and related support materials including public patent applications, papers, posters and related presentations. Actively develop marketing outreach campaign structures and templates that can be repurposed and applied across multiple domains and technologies. Specifically, establish a library of options and approaches in collaboration with the Innovation Partnership licensing and Marketing teams that can be used against specific objectives. These campaign structures can include outbound email approaches/templates, social media based templates and industry event and/or advertising approaches.

Key value added element is to provide ease of use, ability to repurpose and customize across domains. Establish a set of basic marketing metrics for campaign evaluation including open rates, interaction/engagement assessment, response rates and other key metrics to assess success and value of particular campaigns. Lead Innovation Partnership efforts to evaluate marketing automation options within our SalesForce platform and develop a strategic plan for advancing marketing automation and outreach across all licensing domains. Establish yourself as the lead Innovation Partnerships resource for developing, testing, evaluating and establishing a best in class active marketing practice for U-M based innovations.   Additional Responsibilities Helping to organize specific technology commercialization events including Celebrate Invention and other campus outreach activities.

Manage the interface between the operations team and licensing team for all automated licensing and publishing platforms. Ensure continuity of all needed information transfer between Innovation Partnerships Publishing, Marketing and e-Commerce systems to ensure accurate and timely reporting of all agreements, financials and related information. Proactively assess and evaluate all automated licensing and publishing platforms and associated processes to ensure they are effective, efficient and ultimately meet and exceed the needs of our customers and licensees. Suggest areas for improvement and modification as required.

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering, science; 2-5 years marketing/product development and or project management experience preferred; 2-5 years of spreadsheet-based numerical analysis; 2-5 years computer experience (internet, windows, database); excellent interpersonal skills; written and verbal communication skills; as well as ability to interact effectively in both academic and corporate cultures; ability to interact with scientists, research sponsors, industry representatives and patent attorneys; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment; ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines; business experience in deal-making, negotiations and contracts; highly self-motivated professional with exceptional sales, marketing and negotiating skills; ability to evaluate the commercial potential of early stage technology, and to effectively communicate the commercialization vision; detail oriented with ability to work on multiple projects at the same time; knowledge of intellectual property law and licensing practices; high degree of energy and enthusiasm; exceptional communications skills with colleagues and associated customer constituencies including faculty, academic leadership and interested outside licensing parties; outstanding customer service orientation and comfort with active outreach, direct customer engagement across the university innovation ecosystem as well as with licensees, applications partners and companies. Candidates with an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or relevant industry experience is desirable but not required. Prior experience within a university technology transfer office is a strong plus, but not required. Prior experience with high tech product or software development is a plus.

Hands-on experience with either the Google Play or iTunes mobile application publishing process and frameworks is a very strong preference. The ideal candidate will have exceptional organization skills in managing a broad set of content, assets and related materials. Don’t meet every single requirement for this position?. At U-M we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended. The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  

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