Executive Director of Corporate Research Partnerships

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A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences?

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A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), we work within and beyond the disciplines of engineering and foundational science to address the most pressing issues of our time. Through teaching and collaborative research, SEAS discovers, designs, and creates novel technologies and approaches to societal challenges – in service to the world, the nation, and our community. We collaborate across academic areas at SEAS and the larger university, and with colleagues in academia, industry, government and public service organizations beyond Harvard.

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Job Summary:

The Harvard John

A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) seeks an entrepreneurial and externally oriented business development leader to serve as its inaugural Executive Director for Corporate Research Partnerships.

Reporting to the Dean for Research, the Executive Director works in close partnership with the Dean for Research and the Dean of SEAS to develop and execute the School's strategy for corporate research partnerships.

The Executive Director serves as SEAS's principal external representative to industry and the corporate research community. Working closely with School leadership and faculty, the Executive Director will identify, cultivate, and advance transformative research partnerships that accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen interdisciplinary research, and increase external investment in Harvard SEAS.

This is a highly external-facing leadership role requiring executive presence, technical fluency, strategic judgment, and strong relationship-building skills. In the first year, the Executive Director will be expected to build a strong pipeline of prospective partners and, over time, translate that pipeline into flagship alliances (multi-year, multi-million-dollar) and measurable growth in industry sponsored research funding.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Corporate Partnership Strategy and Business Development:

• Develop and execute SEAS's corporate research partnership strategy, including a prioritized portfolio of high-potential companies and engagement plans aligned with the School's research strengths and faculty interests.
• Originate, develop, and close high-value research funding opportunities from initial engagement through multi-year research collaborations and alliances.
• Build trusted relationships with CTOs, Chief Scientists, Heads of Research, senior R&D executives, and other corporate leaders, representing Harvard SEAS and cultivating new funded research opportunities.
• Develop compelling alliance concepts and models that align corporate priorities with SEAS faculty expertise and create mutual long-term value.
• Advise the Dean for Research, the Dean of SEAS, and School leadership on trends in corporate R&D, emerging technologies, research investment, and strategic opportunities.
• Engage with philanthropic science foundations when their interests create meaningful opportunities to support SEAS research.

Faculty Engagement and Opportunity Development:

• Build strong relationships with SEAS faculty to understand emerging research directions and identify opportunities for external collaboration.
• Translate leading-edge research into compelling strategic narratives for corporate sponsors and, where appropriate, foundations and donors.
• Bring together faculty across disciplines to develop ambitious, multi-investigator research collaborations in response to major external opportunities.
• Help faculty and external partners move from exploratory conversations to well-defined funded research collaborations with clear scientific and strategic value.

Leadership and Institutional

Collaboration:

• Lead and manage the Program Manager for Industry Partnerships, providing direction, mentorship, and professional development.
• Serve as SEAS's representative on the University Corporate…