The Director of Industry Partnerships serves as a member of the Office of Economic Development and plays a leading role in driving industry and stakeholder engagement at the University of Kansas. Reporting to the Managing Director, Corporate and Stakeholder Engagements, the Director is responsible for identifying, developing, and executing mutually beneficial research partnerships with corporate, federal, state, and other entities.
The Director will work closely with the leadership and faculty in the School of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts and Life Sciences, the School of Pharmacy, and associated research centers, to translate KU expertise, innovation, and research capabilities into impactful collaborations. This individual will serve as a conduit between KU research expertise and industry, cultivating relationships that lead to sponsored research, workforce development, technology engagement, and strategic partnerships that advance KU’s mission and industry needs. The Director will collaborate with colleagues across complementary disciplines to ensure cohesive-facing strategies across KU.
The Director will identify, engage, build, and advance a robust portfolio of corporate partners while stimulating engagement strategies and collaborations across a complex academic environment to support KU’s institutional goals.
Position Goals:
- Increase the number of new corporate partners and relevant stakeholders engaging in research or research related activities.
- Develop new, and support existing, research partnerships by engaging faculty, research staff, and centers.
- Maintain an in-depth understanding of faculty research expertise and research capabilities to promote mutually beneficial partnerships and increase industry-sponsored research.
- Develop and manage corporate relationships while, when appropriate, coordinating with campus units to broaden and deepen engagement within KU.
- Develop an understanding of federal opportunities and identify appropriate applications that stimulate industry-academic-federal collaborations.
- Collaborate with KU Innovation Park, the KU Center for Technology Commercialization, KU Endowment, Career Services, Jayhawk Community Partners, and others to identify new partnership opportunities and leverage ongoing activity.