Strategic Partnership Management

Job Summary

The Director or Senior Manager of the Industry Liaison Office supports faculty in securing and managing industry-sponsored research funding, leads industry-sponsored research activities, and supports industry interactions in the Price College of Engineering (PCOE). The role reports to the Chief Research Officer and the Vice Provost for Research Planning and Partnerships. Roughly 85% of the time is spent in PCOE with a dotted‑line report to the Dean of PCOE, while the remaining 15% supports central coordination activities with the Chief Innovation Officer and the Research Partnerships team.

• Develop and manage strategic alliances and partnerships to support long‑term growth and market impact.
• Identify and validate joint solution offerings, develop partner business plans, and drive go‑to‑market initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across strategy, product, engineering, marketing, sales, and other teams to ensure alignment before, during, and after deal signing.
• Develop business models and financial arrangements that create mutual value.
• Oversee negotiations of partner agreements.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across PCOE and central university units for alignment.
• Manage and lead staff as the office grows.
• Identify target markets, manage communication and coordination, and collaborate with campus units such as the Office of Technology Licensing, Career and Professional Development, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and others.
• Build and maintain relationships among industry leaders, University faculty, and senior leadership.

• Second‑level manager; responsible for hiring, performance reviews, and pay reviews.
• Bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 8 years’ or Master’s (or equivalency) + 6 years’ directly related work experience.
• Senior Manager‑level position within the Management track.

• First‑level director; assists executives in defining organizational goals and strategic plans.
• Bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 12 years’ or Master’s (or equivalency) + 10 years’ directly related work experience.
• Director‑level position within the Management track.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (e.g., bachelor’s degree = 4 years of related work experience). The department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

• Senior Manager:
  Bachelor’s + 8 years or Master’s + 6 years of directly related work experience.
• Director:
  Bachelor’s + 12 years or Master’s + 10 years of directly related work experience.

• Advanced degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences.
• Experience with consortia, membership programs, or multi‑partner collaborations.
• Experience with academic research culture.
• Proficiency with CRM or other stakeholder management tools.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status.

The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. For Title IX information, please refer to the Title IX Coordinator or the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. For reasonable accommodation requests or reporting discrimination or sexual misconduct, contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO).