
The primary responsibility of this Associate position is to directly support the mission of Mayo Clinic Business Development throughout-licensing of Mayo Intellectual Property. The Associate will perform as an individual contributor, responsible for advancing and completing workflows and processes, and for developing or contributing to assessments, reports, analyses, business plans, market research and other material related to licensing various technologies. The Associate will be expected to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and to organize and manage work accordingly. This position is part of the Commercialization Work Unit for Business Development and will work alongside both Partnerships and Technology Development colleagues.
The department of Business Development is organized into three functional Work Units, with responsibilities as described for each area:
Partnerships – Source, evaluate, analyze and develop new business opportunities for Mayo Clinic, including but not limited to partnerships, joint ventures, new company spin-offs, investments, mergers and acquisitions. Work with areas throughout Mayo Clinic and the marketplace to identify new business opportunities, including the ability to connect these activities with existing Mayo Clinic operational units, in alignment with the Mayo Clinic strategic plan, prioritized market opportunities, and competitive activity. Contribute to the development of a network of industry, entrepreneurial and investor contacts to serve as a resource for business development and/or commercialization activities.
Commercialization – Evaluate the commercial potential of a variety of medical inventions and discoveries coming from Mayo's clinical and research activities, developing and implementing technology sales and marketing plans, managing the patent process, identifying potential commercial partners, negotiating license agreements and other commercialization arrangements, managing relationships with industry and advising Mayo physicians and scientists regarding protection of intellectual property and technology-based business matters.
Technology Development – Evaluate invention disclosures coming from Mayo's research and clinical activities and assistance in processing these disclosures and any resulting patent applications: a) assist in identifying potentially patentable inventions; b) provide background materials, such as prior art searches; c) assist in drafting patent applications; d) assist in evaluating all patent correspondence, including the review of cited art with investigators; e) assist in right to use searches by identifying and evaluating third party intellectual property requirements; (f) assist in preliminary analysis of patent threats related to current Mayo products; and g) assist in educating Mayo Clinic staff regarding patent issues. Where such activities will become part of legal analysis or legal risk assessments, such work is performed at the direction and oversight of Mayo internal counsel and/or external legal counsel delegated to that role by Mayo.
Based on the needs of the department, positions will also be primarily assigned to one or more technology teams, each focusing in a specific area: Biopharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Health Information Technology/AI, Health Services & Robotics, Investments, etc. Projects/ opportunities are categorized within one of these six areas, and staff are attached to each project accordingly.
This role will be focused on out-licensing of Mayo’s Intellectual Property portfolio from various assigned technology teams, with a goal of returning value to Mayo while also limiting risk to Mayo. The Associate will collaborate with Business Development and Legal colleagues, innovators at Mayo, and commercial entities to evaluate the value of a Mayo technology and negotiate the terms and conditions in the license. An ideal candidate has healthcare policy background knowledge, and experience working with various stakeholders of a commercial or healthcare institution to advance or commercialize technologies.
Qualifications
Must have the ability to perform successfully in a business development/ technology commercialization role, and to navigate required complex inter- and intra-organizational issues and relationships. Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with a variety of different people with diverse backgrounds. Requires strong project management skills and time management skills and the ability to manage several initiatives simultaneously. Must have entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial qualities.Must possess strong analytical skills, be resourceful, and be able to work independently on assigned projects.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Depending on the specific position assignment, additional preferred skills may include: business plan creation, due diligence, market research, marketing plan development, concept analysis, business model development, financial pro-forma development and analysis, legal/regulatory issues assessment, monitoring product/operating unit performance, technical sales, evaluation of medical technologies, negotiations, contract drafting, evaluation of scientific and commercialization potential of cutting-edge technologies, and knowledge of science, clinical or bench research, business principles, laws and regulations that relate to the patenting and licensing of inventions. Experience working with an organization or in a role directly related to one or more of the relevant Work Teams may be given special consideration.
Additional consideration may be given for: experience with an academic medical center or equivalent setting; mergers and acquisition experience; financial modeling and analytical valuation experience; Chartered Financial Analyst certification, (complete or in progress); experience with a national consulting firm in related functional areas or industries.
Why Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we work together to put the needs of the patient first, we are also dedicated to our employees, investing in competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit plans – to take care of you and your family, now and in the future. And with continuing education and advancement opportunities at every turn, you can build a long, successful career with Mayo Clinic.
Benefits Highlights

Mayo Clinic has expanded and changed in many ways, but our values remain true to the vision of our founders. Our primary value – The needs of the patient come first – guides our plans and decisions as we create the future of health care. Join us and you'll find a culture of teamwork, professionalism and mutual respect, and most importantly, a life-changing career.
Mayo Clinic was founded in Rochester, Minnesota by brothers Dr. William James Mayo and Dr. Charles Horace Mayo. More than 100 years later, their vision continues to evolve around a single guiding value: "The needs of the patient come first." Today we are the largest integrated, not for-profit medical group practice in the world.
We are recognized for high-quality patient care more than any other academic medical center in the nation. These endorsements are very gratifying, but also humbling. They remind us of the tradition that has been entrusted to each one of us, and the legacy of excellence that we uphold every day.