Director of Business Development

Department: Innovation Services, Launch Oregon

Supervisor: Managing Director, Launch Oregon

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (40 Hours/Week)

INTRODUCTION:

The University of Oregon (UO) is an R1 designated, very high-research-activity university and member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The University of Oregon Foundation (UOF) is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization, responsible for administering private gifts made to further the University of Oregon's mission. The UOF and UO have launched a new partnership responsible for growing the quality and quantity of successful startup companies formed around technologies and innovations primarily created at the University of Oregon. Launch Oregon, LLC’s mission is to create new companies anchored with UO intellectual property (IP) rights to maximize UO’s investment in research and to accelerate the societal impact of those investments. Launch Oregon controls startup capital and operational funds to support the successful launch and acceleration of UO research-based spinouts. Launch Oregon will also seek new investment capital from venture/angel funds, trusts, and appropriate individual investments. With the help and support of a vast network of successful alumni, friends, and supporters of UO, Launch Oregon will enable success in the broadest terms for UO IP.

Launch Oregon will be growing the quality and quantity of successful startup companies formed around technologies and innovations created at the University of Oregon, including the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, Centers and Institutes, and units and programs engaged in highly productive research. The Phil and Penny Knight Campus opened in 2020 and is an ambitious initiative to fast-track scientific discoveries into innovations that improve the quality of life for people in Oregon, the nation, and the world.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Business Development will work closely with the Managing Director to build the day-to-day operations of Launch Oregon.

The Director of Business Development will work with the Managing Director, Launch Oregon Board and UO Advancement to raise an internal seed fund that provides initial financing to UO ventures, engage the broader venture capital ecosystem to facilitate external funding of scalable opportunities, and develop partnerships with established companies to enhance prospective business development collaborations and corporate funding, in addition to generating potential acquisition interest in UO startups.

This person will also be responsible for supporting the development of Launch Oregon’s network of advisors and potential management candidates to support university startups.

This position requires a team-first, highly collaborative, creative, and positive approach to supporting innovators in an academic entrepreneurial environment. The role reports to the Managing Director of Launch Oregon, a subsidiary of the University of Oregon Foundation.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Follows the principles of the Foundation’s core values:

o Trust

o Respect

o Integrity

o Commitment

• Motivated to contribute to the success of the Foundation

• Communicates effectively

• Teaches through example and service

• Practices professional curiosity and desire to learn

• Maintains confidentiality

• Works safely

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reporting to and working under the Managing Director to implement the day-to-day operations of Launch Oregon

• Working in conjunction with the Managing Direct to develop a process to identify top startup opportunities and prioritizing those ready for Launch Oregon support

• Using research tools to facilitate rigorous analysis of UO startup ideas, in collaboration with the Managing Director and Launch Oregon’s designated Investment Committee, for determination of viability and success

• Referring Launch Oregon portfolio innovators to existing resources that can help launch and grow their startups and developing innovative programs or relationships to fill gaps as needed

• Supporting the development and growth of Launch Oregon’s mentor network, including working with the Managing Director to set processes for recruiting, training, and matching this network

• Supporting Launch Oregon startups with talent recruitment and development of boards/advisors

• Working with the Managing Director to develop and deepen relationships with the venture capital ecosystem

• Leveraging UO/UOF partners in industry relations, Advancement and elsewhere, to develop relationships with companies in key, targeted sectors, with a focus on identifying advisors and business development/funding support for UO innovators and early spin outs

• Supporting communication plans and execution for Launch Oregon

• Supporting fundraising strategy planning and execution for Fund II

• Conducting this work in a highly collaborative manner in a fast-paced, complex team-based environment, and being entrepreneurial and hands-on as needed

• Working actively to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion

Success for this position after 36 months would include:

• A growing pipeline and increased number of successful UO startups

• Higher-quality UO startups, including success in obtaining SBIR/STTR funding or other non-dilutive funding, venture financing, and recruitment of C-level talent

• Strong and diverse network of advisors, mentors, and investors that UO innovators can leverage to support their startups

• Sustained increase in the number of spin-out companies that raise significant venture funding, grow their teams, become revenue-generating, and/or demonstrate other tangible progress

• An established infrastructure of transferable networks, resources, and tools that support the scaling of UO startups

• Successfully supporting the close of Fund II for Launch Oregon

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the management of the network of Launch Oregon mentors and volunteers

• Build relationships and promote Launch Oregon portfolio companies within the venture community

• Assist with implementing sustainable operational infrastructure and practices, including performance metrics

• Support fundraising for Fund II of Launch Oregon

• Other duties as assigned by the Managing Director

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and at least 3 years of additional relevant experience

• Successful background and leadership roles, including startup experience

• Broad network across the startup ecosystem, including investors, entrepreneurs, and executives

• Demonstrated success engaging with and influencing executive stakeholders in a matrixed organization

• Strong leadership skills, high-functioning organizational skills, attention to detail, adherence to confidentiality, and discretion

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A history of successfully working within a university environment and understanding the research ecosystem of an R1 university.

• A high level of negotiation experience and successful history in bringing multiple stakeholders together to solve challenges in a variety of settings.

• Demonstrated history of effective relationship building with local, regional, and global individuals and organizations.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/VISUAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This job is conducted in an office work environment, sitting most of the time

• Approximately 90% of this position’s duties require use of a computer

Compensation: $100,000/Year