About Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN): LaunchTN is a 501c3 nonprofit partnership building an ecosystem of support for every startup and investor in Tennessee. As a public-private partnership, we are uniquely positioned to provide direct investment, while also supporting collaboration among founders, investors, researchers, private sector institutions, and government. We foster entrepreneurship, technology advancement, and workforce development by providing capital access, commercialization support, and connections.

A key LaunchTN initiative is the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), a statewide technology transfer and commercialization support network. TTAC empowers faculty and student innovators at Tennessee higher education institutions to bring their groundbreaking research to market by providing resources, expertise, and connections to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem within Tennessee’s universities.

Our core values:

Not just thinking outside the box, but breaking it
Putting people first in everything we do
Going further together through collaboration
Being accessible and welcoming always
Being driven to serve
Life’s too short not to love what you do!

Position overview:

Title: TTAC Technology Manager Reports to: Technology Advancement Director

The TTAC Technology Manager plays a critical role in managing and advancing early-stage technologies across the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) network. This position focuses on three core areas: (1) managing the intake, evaluation, and tracking of technologies submitted through TTAC partner institutions; (2) supporting intellectual property efforts; and (3) leading marketing and outreach initiatives to promote innovations and attract industry partnerships. This role will work closely with university tech transfer staff, faculty inventors, and LaunchTN partners to identify commercialization pathways and grow the impact of university research statewide.

Key responsibilities

Technology evaluation & invention screening

Serve as the primary point of contact for technology disclosures and ideas submitted to TTAC, managing intake, documentation, and project management.
Lead technology evaluation activities, including assessments of technical feasibility, commercial potential, and patentability.
Maintain the TTAC Technology Dashboard, ensuring timely updates on technology status, action items, and partner feedback.
Coordinate across TTAC institutions and LaunchTN staff to escalate high-potential technologies through relevant commercialization programs.

Intellectual property management support

Collaborate with TTAC’s legal counsel and third-party partners (e.g., TreMonti) to support prior art research, market analysis, and the development of patent filings.
Support institutions on the development of IP strategies for promising innovations and assist IP prosecution efforts.
Assist partner institutions with the negotiation of licenses, options, and collaborative agreements between institutions and commercial partners.
Help build internal capacity by documenting IP best practices and sharing resources across the TTAC network.

Technology marketing & industry engagement

Own and manage the TTAC Marketing Dashboard, including developing marketing materials and ensuring available technologies are updated and accessible for external stakeholders.
Market innovations to entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate R&D teams.
Drive technology engagement by reaching out to prospective partners, attending relevant events, and promoting TTAC technologies to strategic partners.
Lead the development and distribution of the TTAC monthly newsletter, featuring research highlights, commercialization updates, and innovation news.
Plan and curate special events (e.g., industry briefings, showcase webinars) to increase technology visibility and foster connections between researchers and commercial partners.

Required qualifications

Advanced degree in science, engineering, law, or business with 2+ years of relevant experience.
Strong analytical and project management skills; demonstrated ability to evaluate complex technologies and identify commercialization pathways.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; confident engaging with faculty inventors, legal counsel, and industry representatives.
Proactive, open-minded, and eager to learn; able to identify mentors, seek feedback, and adopt best practices from peer institutions and industry partners.
Comfortable building systems and processes in a dynamic, cross-institutional environment.
Team-oriented and mission-driven, with a collaborative approach to advancing university innovations.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience working in a university technology transfer office or in a role supporting intellectual property strategy (e.g., patent agent, licensing associate).
Background in venture capital, startup diligence, or market research for early-stage technologies.
Legal training or law degree with experience in IP, contracts, or licensing.

What success will look like

In the first 3 months

Developed a clear understanding of TTAC technology management systems and program objectives through onboarding, SOP review, and alignment with TTAC leadership
Finalized a professional development plan in partnership with TTAC leadership, leveraging advisory institution mentors and relevant credentialing programs
Assumed full ownership of the TTAC Technology Dashboard—cleaning, organizing, and updating records for all active disclosures
Designed and implemented a standardized reporting system for technology status updates, facilitating communication across TTAC institutions and LaunchTN staff
Refined evaluation and triage workflows to support systematic intake, assessment, and hand-off of technologies for IP support or commercialization efforts
Led the technology review component of internal IP committee meetings, facilitating shared learning and real-time feedback on disclosures

In the first 6 months

Maintained regular monthly updates on the status of TTAC-supported technologies, including IP progress, market validation steps, and commercialization readiness
Initiated outreach to industry and corporate innovation partners, generating initial conversations around collaborative R&D or licensing potential for at least 10 TTAC technologies Contributed to IP strategy and prosecution support by helping draft claims, assisting with prior art analysis, and coordinating filing logistics
Identified and implemented at least one new internal system, tool, or resource that enhances TTAC’s technology management or partner engagement functions

By the end of year 1

Gained proficiency in drafting provisional patent applications, enabling LaunchTN to reduce reliance on external counsel and achieve cost savings
Completed core elements of a professional certification or structured curriculum in intellectual property, technology transfer, or licensing
Established LaunchTN as a visible and credible partner to industry, with clear contacts and engagement strategies to position TTAC technologies for external validation and commercialization
Delivered a year-end report and campaign summary detailing all supported technologies, including:
- Number of technologies reviewed and advanced
- Number and type of industry engagements initiated
- Response rates and qualitative feedback received
- Commercialization outcomes, such as licensing, new venture formation, or sponsored research
Achieved at least one commercialization transaction per TTAC institution, whether through a license, option agreement, or incorporation of a startup to advance a university innovation
Built a reputation as a go-to resource for faculty and institutional partners seeking help navigating commercialization and industry engagement pathways

Compensation & perks

Salary Pay Range: $70–85K, based on experience and qualifications
Healthcare: LaunchTN covers 80% of individual/partner/family health, dental, and vision insurance through the State of Tennessee
401(K) Retirement: Flat 8% employer contribution
Disability Insurance: 100% employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
Paid Time Off: 4 weeks PTO + federal holidays + office closure from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day + day off for your birthday
Other Perks: $90/month cell phone stipend, $50/month wellness stipend, pet-friendly office, and flexible remote work options

Funding notice

This position is supported through a two-year contract under the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) initiative and is not part of LaunchTN’s core operating budget. Continued employment beyond the initial term is contingent upon program performance and renewal of funding.

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form here and attach a resume or CV.

Selected candidates will be invited to a first-round interview with the hiring manager. Finalists will be asked to provide a writing or work sample relevant to the position and participate in a panel interview with other LaunchTN team members. References will be requested prior to extending an offer. Our goal is to make a final hiring decision within four weeks of posting the position.

Launch Tennessee is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply now

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LaunchTN initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, technology advancement, capital formation and workforce development are funded through a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.

1321 6th Ave N., Nashville, TN 37208 615.991.2809 | info@launchtn.org