Executive Director, Industry Relations

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Position Information

Position Information

Working Title

Working Title Executive Director, Industry Relations

Department

Department Industry Alliances-13278

Requisition Number

Requisition Number F_250079

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 12/08/2025

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date)

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 12/23/2025

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Description of Work

The Executive Director of Industry Relations provides strategic leadership for the university’s industry engagement efforts, directing a team that connects the private sector with UNL’s research strengths to advance discovery, innovation, and economic impact. The role builds and sustains long‑term partnerships with companies, economic development entities, and technology‑based stakeholders, resulting in a robust industry funding pipeline that supports the University’s research and education mission.

Key Duties and

Responsibilities Include:

• Coordinate closely with Nebraska Innovation Campus, NUtech Ventures, and campus leaders to align and advance industry engagement activities.
• Work to continuously improve university processes and practices related to its engagement with industry, and other technology‑based economic development stakeholders.
• Proactively identify, cultivate, and secure industry‑sponsored research, major research agreements, and related funding opportunities.
• Assist departments, centers, and colleges in building coordinated industry–academic alliances and engagement strategies.
• Represent UNL’s research strengths to external audiences through outreach, presentations, events, and conferences.
• Promote use‑inspired research by matching industry needs and Nebraska‑relevant challenges with university expertise.
• Oversee relationship management processes, communications, and internal coordination to ensure consistent approaches to key companies.
• Build, supervise, and mentor a high‑performing team to execute UNL’s industry engagement strategy.

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• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business, engineering, science, public administration, or a related discipline.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in industry relations, corporate engagement, research administration, economic development, advancement, technology transfer, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated success developing, securing, and managing industry‑sponsored research, corporate partnerships, or comparable strategic collaborations.
• Supervisory or team‑lead experience, including setting goals, providing feedback, and supporting professional growth.
• Familiarity with sponsored research processes, intellectual property and licensing practices, and common university–industry agreement structures (e.g., NDAs, MTAs, research and collaboration agreements).
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including corporate leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make persuasive presentations to technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA , JD, MS, PhD, or other terminal degree) in a relevant field.
• Experience in a research university or higher education environment, particularly in roles involving sponsored research, corporate partnerships, or innovation ecosystems.
• Demonstrated success aligning corporate interests with academic strengths to create mutually beneficial, large‑scale partnerships or multi‑year agreements.

Work…