Mentor in Residence (Part Time)

The University of Arizona's, Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) is in search of a Mentor in Residence to join the Venture Development Team. Tech Launch Arizona creates social and economic impact by bringing the inventions of the University of Arizona from the lab to the world. The TLA Venture Development team facilitates the creation of new ventures founded on these inventions. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, self-motivated with exceptional follow through, and will have proven technology commercialization and startup experience, or current industry expertise in the software industry. This position will report to the TLA Director of Venture Development. The University of Arizona is a place of learning, invention and discovery. At Tech Launch Arizona, we help bring those discoveries to the world through commercial pathways. Our primary focus is on ensuring that technologies and innovations originating with U of A researchers find meaningful application. Our work can broadly be understood across the three overlapping dimensions: Commercialization, Ecosystem Development, and Economic Development.

This position is subject to federal ITAR/EAR regulations.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Work with licensing manager and U of A inventors to assess new technologies for commercial opportunity, and to gauge startup interests.
• Drive startup team formation: business leadership, advisors and professional services.
• Coordinate startup team activities to develop appropriate business and funding strategies, governance, and prepare the team for license.
• Track startup team activity, successes and challenges and review with co-Mentors for feedback.
• Provide post-license business development, fundraising and mentoring support where appropriate to advance company success.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively in entrepreneurial and academic environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to motivate, mentor and lead varied teams.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, peers, academics, and other professionals, including external agencies, with varied interests and perspectives.
• Understanding of industry regulatory and compliance concepts and requirements.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• 5 or more years of entrepreneurial leadership experience in a technology-based startup company and current industry expertise.

• Scientific and business degrees.
• Experience working in a university commercialization setting, or related incubator or accelerator.
• 15 or more years of entrepreneurial experience creating companies, developing early technology and building business teams.
• Executive level startup experience with a successful exit.
• Experience raising capital (angel, venture, grants) for startup ventures.