Director of Corporate Relations - MSU Business Connect​/Community Relations Manager

Director of Corporate Relations - MSU Business Connect

The Director of Corporate Relations is a key member of the MSU Business Connect team, a hub for corporate engagement. The Director manages an independent portfolio of corporate relationships and is accountable for advancing these partnerships toward productive outcomes with a specific emphasis on research activity including sponsored research collaborations, start-up and commercialization opportunities, access to university labs, cores, and institutes.

This role also supports the broader university ecosystem by partnering with other offices to facilitate student hiring and internships, professional training, advisory board participation, and other activities aligned with corporate needs and university strengths.

The role includes assisting in early‑stage negotiation of mutually beneficial contract terms and requires building a strong internal network across colleges, research units, and administrative partners to ensure coordinated and consistent engagement with industry.

The Director plays a strategic role in advancing MSU’s research mission by serving as the primary liaison to industry leaders, fostering collaborations that drive innovation, secure external funding, and translate academic research into real‑world impact. By aligning corporate interests with MSU’s research capabilities, the Director cultivates, maintains, and expands long‑term partnerships while ensuring timely handling of complex agreements that enhance trust and accelerate collaboration.

Success in this role requires exceptional communication skills, a deep commitment to relationship building both internally and externally, strong negotiation and organizational abilities. The Director works closely with faculty, deans, administrative partners, and corporate research executives to advance shared objectives.

Hybrid position requiring at least three days per week on campus; occasional travel to both on‑campus and off‑site locations. Reports directly to the Executive Director of MSU Business Connect.

• Eight or more years of experience in community relations, event management, or special project development; demonstrated effective and creative writing skills; working comfort with social media.
• Knowledge equivalent to that normally acquired by completing a Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or related discipline.
• Proficiency with computer use and MS Office suite, Adobe, conferencing software (Zoom/Teams), and Wrike.

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in business, engineering, or the sciences.
• Ten years of experience in business development, corporate relations, government relations with the majority of experience within a university environment; at least five years in private sector research and development; familiarity with contracting frameworks, especially intellectual property best practices.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, collaboration, time‑management, negotiation, adaptability, ability to balance competing priorities, and interact effectively with a wide variety of people.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

STANDARD 8-5