Associate Director of Industry Relations

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Industry Relations will report directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Corporate and Foundation Relations. The position also works closely with and takes some direction from the Engineering Research Center Director of the Carbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing-Empowered Decarbonization (CURB) and McKelvey’s Director of Industry Relations. The Associate Director of Industry Relations will advance an innovation ecosystem that optimizes industry engagement in the university’s research endeavors with a primary focus on the needs of industry engagement for CURB. The Associate Director of Industry Relations is responsible for establishing, developing, managing, and strengthening industrial partnerships for university-wide initiatives while prioritized those needed for CURB’s success and doing so in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Collaboration Facilitation: Cultivate relationships with corporations currently engaged at the university, including CURB members, to help ensure mutually beneficial engagement that strengthens over time. Manage membership engagement for existing CURB industry members by sending regular communications, executing membership agreements, organizing IAB meetings and symposiums, arranging industry visits, and addressing inquiries from industry members.
• Partnership Development: Develop and implement strategies to discover and attract new industry engagement to benefit the university’s research ecosystem while prioritizing CURB-related research and educational programs.
• Internal Facilitation: Coordinate with various internal stakeholders, especially with the Office of Corporate Relations, Office of Sponsored Research, McKelvey Industry Relations, Office of Technology Management, Joint Research Office for Contracts, and Center for Career Engagement to develop a comprehensive plan for securing industry letters of support for federal grants and finalizing agreements post-award. Create templates and background materials that can be used by various stakeholders for outreach. Maintain a calendar of up-coming opportunities for industry to engage with federal grant opportunities. Serve as primary liaison for Corporate Relations with the Office of Sponsored Research and the Office of Technology Management.
• Reporting and Metrics: Track and report on industrial collaborations, outcomes, and metrics, including those related to CURB membership, technology transfers, patents, and student involvement in innovation programs. Prepare comprehensive reports of industry collaborations, including those needed for submission to the National Science Foundation.
• Marketing and Outreach: Working with the appropriate Office of Marketing and Communications Office, identify the university-wide marketing needs to target opportunities for industry engagement in research collaborations. Additionally, specifically determine the marketing requirements for developing outreach materials and other communications in support of CURB in collaboration with McKelvey’s Office of Marketing and Communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Ability to travel between campuses

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table
• Some light lifting and bending may be necessary
• Ability to travel to and from off-campus locations and between campuses is required

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree

More About This Job

• Experience in an academic or research environment.
• Proven track record in facilitating interactions with industry.
• Solid understanding of the research landscape and industry needs, especially those relevant to CURB’s focus.
• Familiarity with research and intellectual property agreements (such as Master Research Agreements, sponsored research agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Letters of Support for federal grants).
• Knowledge of the technology commercialization processes and entrepreneurial landscape.
• Ability to work well in teams, engage with diverse groups, and adapt to fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Skills: Academic Research, Academic Writing, Adaptability, Business Principles, Customer Connection, Deadline Management, Detail-Oriented, Higher Education Research, Intellectual Property Agreements, Leadership, Multitasking, Oral Communications, Organizational Commitment, Persuasive Writing, Private Foundations, Program Management, Relationship Management, Researching, Scientific Translations, Scientific Writing, Sound Judgment, Strategic Corporate Philanthropy, Technology Commercialization, Third Party Relationships, University Education