Description

Open Date
10/28/2025
Requisition Number
PRN43377B
Job Title
Strategic Partnership Management
Working Title
Industry Liaison Office
Career Progression Track
M00
Track Level
M6 - Director, M4 - Senior Manager, M3 - Manager, M2 - Senior Supervisor
FLSA Code
Professional
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
 
VP Area
Academic Affairs
Department
00002 - SR VP Academic Affairs Oper
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
$85,000 - $175,000 DOE
Close Date
01/28/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
 
Job Summary
Reporting to the Chief Research Officer, Planning and Partnerships, the Director, Industry Liaison Office is responsible for supporting faculty in identifying, securing, and managing industry-sponsored research funding, and leading and unifying industry sponsored research and outreach activities. Key to this role is the strategic oversight and operations of ongoing and new functions serving the collaborations between academic researchers, industry and commercialization partnerships, and/or where university and industry may jointly partner for federal and state funding opportunities. Cultivating, managing and building relationships with local, state, and national industry leaders across broad array of technology areas to foster growth in the university’s research enterprise is a critical responsibility for this position. This role requires facilitating communication, negotiating agreements, and ensuring smooth interactions for both the university and the companies. It involves strategic planning, project management, and a deep understanding of both academic and commercial landscapes. This position will bridge activities between Corporate Partnerships and Industry Sponsored Research.

We are looking for two positions, one a Director level to serve across campus and the second at staff level who will focus on Price School of Engineering, with a joint report to Dean of Engineering.

The ideal candidates will have strong industry sponsored research expertise and experience that will lend itself to growing mutually beneficial relationships between private industry and University of Utah. They will identify opportunities to engage private industry interactions to benefit both industry and the UU through direct research funding and research service contracts. Other partnerships could include develop UU led consortia, growing research mentorship and shared facilities, innovative engagements with industry to advance education opportunities.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities
Direct/Manage/Supervise the development and management of strategic alliances and partnerships to support long-term growth and deliver market impact. Identify and validate joint solutions offerings, developing partner business plans, and driving go-to-market initiatives with partners. Work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders across strategy, product, engineering, marketing, sales, and other relevant teams to ensure close alignment on partnerships before, during and after deal sign. Develop business models and financial arrangements that result in growth in value for partners and customers that are mutually beneficial. Oversee negotiations of partner agreements.

Department specific responsibilities:
The director role, in future, must have the ability to manage and lead staff as the office grows commensurate with success.
Identify target markets well suited for prioritizing research and service offerings from the UU, manage communication and coordination that ensures growth and opportunity for the UU, and collaborate with other units on campus, such as Technology Licensing, Career Affairs, VPR office, and others.
Build and maintain relationships between industry leaders and UU faculty and senior leadership.

Senior Supervisor, Strategic Partnership Management
Coordinates and leads daily team activities. May spend a portion of time performing the work of those they supervise. Assists with management decisions and activities. Working knowledge of team function within the organization.
Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
This is a Senior Supervisor-Level position in the Management track.
Expected Pay Range: $85,000 to $100,000

Manager, Strategic Partnership Management
First-level manager. Manages the activities of supervisors and/or individual contributors. Responsible for hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews. Broad knowledge of the field with demonstrated leadership skills.
Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
This is a Manager-Level position in the Management track.
Expected Pay Range: $101,000 to $115,000

Senior Manager, Strategic Partnership Management
Second-level manager. Manages the activities of first-level managers and/or supervisors. Responsible for hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews. Broad knowledge of the field with proven leadership skills.
Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.
This is a Senior Manager-Level position in the Management track.
Expected Pay Range: $116,000 to $130,000

Director, Strategic Partnership Management
First-level director. Assists executives and/or senior directors in defining organizational goals and strategic plans. Extensive business knowledge with comprehensive understanding of the organization and functional area.
Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 12 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related work experience.
This is a Director-Level position in the Management track.
Expected Pay Range: $135,000 to $175,000

Requirements

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Senior Supervisor, Strategic Partnership Management: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Manager, Strategic Partnership Management: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Senior Manager, Strategic Partnership Management: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

Director, Strategic Partnership Management: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 12 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related work experience.

Advanced knowledge of translational research and product development. Expertise in emerging technologies, computing, data sciences/AI, broad areas of engineering and physical sciences such as energy, quantum, electrical/electronics, chemical and biomedical and related areas, and areas of national security. Knowledge of research and development pathways that lead to commercially viable products and services. This includes an understanding of best practices for collaborations between industry and academia. Successful record demonstrating ability to bridge research potential with market needs and trends and further identify partnerships to catalyze innovation and translation. Excellent interpersonal skills, written and oral communication skills, and the ability to organize and manage complex projects.

Advanced degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences
Previous experience with consortia, membership programs, or multi-partner collaborations, as evidenced by application materials.
Previous experience with academic research culture, as evidenced by application materials.
Proficiency with CRM or other stakeholder management tools, as evidenced by application materials.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.

Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. 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 is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and 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 University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:

Director/ Title IX Coordinator

Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA)

383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

801-581-8365

oeo@utah.edu

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

For more information: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/