Director of Partnership Relations & Strategic Initiatives

Director of Partnership Relations & Strategic Initiatives About the Opportunity

The director leads a team responsible for building, managing, and expanding high-impact relationships with new and existing industry partners across Northeastern's global university system to support the AI Innovation Lab.

This role expands opportunities for industry and student experiential learning innovations related to AI, including projects, professional practicums, co‑op placements, and research opportunities.

The director develops and nurtures strong partnerships that deliver meaningful experiences for both students and industry partners, leveraging deep institutional knowledge and strong communication skills.

Event organization is a key strategy for building partnerships. The director plans and executes engagements, proposes a vision for each partnership, and sees it through to execution or supports team members in realizing their partnership visions.

The position requires occasional travel to industry partners and our global university system and supervises a partnership development manager.

Lead a cross‑functional team to attract, develop, and deepen strategic partnerships; deliver value to students, industry, and the university while managing budgets and resources.

• Knowledge and skills are normally obtained through a Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of work experience in the private sector or higher education.
• Existing relationships with employers are preferred; experience supporting students to secure career placement is an asset.
• Proven track record in business development, fundraising, strategic relationship management, and/or strategic planning.
• Understanding of industry growth trends and workforce development needs, with a motivation to make education options more accessible.
• Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and creative with exceptional communication skills.
• Creative thinker, action‑oriented, versatile, and able to adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to lead, manage negotiations, and implement initiatives that drive value for Northeastern.
• Demonstrated skills to lead, manage, support, and encourage a team.

• Develop and attract new partners across company, government, community, and institutional relationships, focusing on growth for the AI Innovation Lab.
• Leverage relationships to expand co‑op, experiential learning, and research opportunities, integrating an event strategy to raise awareness of AI.
• Provide insights into partner needs to drive new offerings.
• Create student opportunities in AI in collaboration with key partners, aligned with campus goals and priorities.

• Develop and lead a team engaged in partnership work, community engagement, and student support.
• Manage budget, working with financial teams to develop budgets, track expenses, and allocate resources sustainably.
• Represent the university in external meetings and negotiations on non‑traditional experiential programs for students.

• Lead engagements with college stakeholders to create meaningful student experiences.
• Coordinate with the Central Partnership Development Team on business development and expansion opportunities.
• Collaborate with college leadership, central leadership, partnership teams, co‑op directors, alumni engagement, advancement, marketing, and all network campus teams.

• Integrate high‑quality strategic usage of Salesforce and other key systems.
• Leverage data to report partner status to leadership.
• Provide benchmarking data and reports to aid partners in achieving their goals.

Student Services

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education, and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit‑eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement - as well as commuting & transportation. Visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

112S

$99,010.00 - $