Business Office Coordinator

JOB TITLE

Business Office Coordinator

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Technology Commercialization

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

This position assists at a highly competent and confidential level with the business management needs of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), interfacing with WPI research faculty, students, staff, and various administrative departments within WPI that impact or are impacted by the university’s research activities.

This position provides business management support to meet the information management and communication needs of interfacing with a diverse base of internal and external contacts involved with WPI research and Technology Transfer at the direction of the Director of the Office of Technology Commercialization.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities:

• Acts as a liaison between faculty, staff, students, attorneys, external customers, and suppliers (stakeholders).
• Guides and manages the disclosure intake process and collaborates internally with the Director and Licensing Associate to improve process flows.
• Oversees case management and maintains the integrity of the Wellspring IP database, including disclosure, patent filing documents, and decisions. This includes generating docket reports, IP docketing, and tracking deadlines and statuses.
• Reviews and manages correspondence from all stakeholders, independently taking action as necessary.
• Coordinates with stakeholders to ensure the completion of required documents.
• Assists retained law offices with disclosures, information, inventor documents, and required signature documents.
• Participates in team review meetings for decisions on patenting and commercialization of inventions.
• Participates in discussions, provides advice, and supports decisions in managing the IP portfolio within the WPI ecosystem.
• Creates reports for provisional patent decisions quarterly and as needed for regular portfolio reviews.
• Creates reports for complete IP portfolio reviews.
• Manages department accounting functions in Workday, including processing law office invoices, supplier invoices, customer invoices, and receipts.
• Actively manages the General Operating department budget and reporting with an emphasis on staying within budget.
• Oversees budget, Workday activities, program management, and associated accounting.
• Creates reports to forecast legal expenses and operational expenses.
• Actively manages the Non-Operating department budget (Gifts & Designated Funds).
• Serves as a subject matter expert for Workday-related activities and the primary contact for the office's financial matters.
• Monitors patent expenses and scrutinizes law firm invoices, supplier invoices, and customer invoices.
• • Manages IP correspondence, IP data integrity, government reporting, patent maintenance/annuities with IP attorneys, and as necessary with CPA Global/Annuity services provider.
• Manages projects and related activities for award programs and patent recognition with internal and external customers (NAI, ReDI).
• Manages the office's general mailbox correspondence and takes actions as needed.
• Responsible for compliance with federal reporting pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980.
• Interfaces with the Office of Sponsored Programs for IP & Grant compliance and grant closeouts.
• Liaises with other WPI departments to resolve problems and ensure compliance.
• Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 5-10 years of experience

Compensation: Up to $56,000/year (depending on experience)

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range. 

Compensation at WPI

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.