Corporate Business Development Consultant, ERIK

Position Overview

The Corporate Business Development Consultant will build and maintain large-scale corporate partnerships of the highest mutual value for the companies and Ohio State. The consultant recognizes and initiates high-level opportunities to establish master research agreements, generate sponsored research projects, philanthropic opportunities, new grant opportunities, affinity/business opportunities, workforce development initiatives, and talent and experiential learning efforts. They develop strong relationships with faculty and research leaders to identify areas of opportunity to build corporate support.

The consultant serves as a partner by collaborating to understand corporate investments, industry‑driven needs, philanthropic and community engagement goals, and strategic direction; offers solutions that leverage Ohio State’s strengths and add value to both the university and the business.

• 50% Builds and maintains large-scale corporate partnerships of the highest mutual value for the companies and Ohio State, focusing on transformational partnerships of $100K or more; recognizes and initiates high-level opportunities to establish master research agreements, generate sponsored research projects, philanthropic opportunities, new grant opportunities, affinity/business opportunities, workforce development initiatives, and talent and experiential learning efforts; develops strong relationships with faculty and research leaders to identify areas of opportunity to build corporate support.
• 40% Serves as a consultant to corporate partners by collaborating to understand their investments, industry‑driven needs, philanthropic and community engagement goals, and strategic direction; offers solutions that leverage Ohio State’s strengths and add value to the business and the university; understands corporate partners’ goals, strategies, and processes and proposes opportunities to add value beyond the partner’s immediate requests; identifies, plans, and implements strategic, holistic engagements with key corporate partners;
  
  initiates and maintains key strategic relationships and partnerships.
• 10% Partners with the Director, Corporate Engagement and the Associate Vice President, Corporate & Foundation Engagement in development of long- and short-term goals, strategic plan, and annual business planning efforts; regularly summarizes progress, status, and conveys it through written and verbal means to keep the team updated; continually evaluates efforts and optimizes for success; builds and maintains strong internal and external networks to drive innovation processes and interdisciplinary collaboration;
  
  performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Six (6) years of professional experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or corporate relations.
• Experience identifying, assessing, and resolving public‑private partnerships, sponsored research, and technology deployment challenges and opportunities in higher education.
• Proven ability to establish and achieve business development goals; metrics and results driven.
• Ability to strategically develop mutually beneficial partnerships and guide complex relationships across multiple verticals.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively toward goals in a complex environment with multiple and changing demands; able to deal well with ambiguity and paradox.
• Ability to develop strong relationships and work with senior‑level administration, faculty, and staff to reach collaborative, outcome-driven solutions.
• Possesses outstanding verbal, written, and visual communication skills.

• Master’s degree.
• Eight (8) years of professional experience in corporate relations, business development, or industry‑university research.

The University is an equal‑opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.