HudsonAlpha - BRIDGES - Director of Strategic Partnerships

Position: BRIDGES - Director of Strategic Partnerships

Job Type: Full-Time

INSTITUTE OVERVIEW

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a nonprofit research institute located in Huntsville, Alabama, that leverages the power of genomics to improve human health, strengthen the global food supply, and drive sustainable economic growth in the life sciences. Founded in 2008, HudsonAlpha's 150-acre campus in Cummings Research Park unites world-class scientists, educators, and more than 45 life science companies in a collaborative environment that transforms discovery into real-world impact. The Institute's work spans genomic research, advancement of precision medicine, agriculture, and workforce development-coupling scientific innovation with education and entrepreneurship to shape the future of biotechnology.

As part of its mission to advance science and economic opportunity, HudsonAlpha anticipates funding to lead a regional initiative focused on building a sustainable bio-based economy across the Southeast. This program will bring together growers, researchers, industry partners, and communities to accelerate the development and commercialization of plant-based technologies. By connecting innovation to real-world applications, this program aims to spur rural economic development, expand biomanufacturing, and create new markets and jobs in sustainable materials for the construction, automotive, and packaging industries.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Strategic Partnerships will serve as a primary leader in designing and executing the collaborative and financial strategies that drive HudsonAlpha's BRIDGES program.

This newly defined role blends high-level responsibilities in strategic planning, strategic partnership management, and engagement to strengthen HudsonAlpha's position as a regional innovation hub. The Director will oversee the full lifecycle of partnership operations-from cultivating and maintaining strategic relationships across academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors to leading stakeholder engagement, commercialization efforts, and marketing and communications. The role plays a key part in developing the program's strategic plan for operations and funding.

This individual will report to the Engine's CEO and play a critical role in uniting the program's research, commercialization, and outreach partners under a cohesive strategy that ensures compliance, accountability, and measurable impact.

JOB-SPECIFIC TASKS

Strategic Partnerships and External Relations

• Design and implement partnership strategies aligned with BRIDGES and NSF Engine program goals.
• Manage and grow a network of 80+ partners across academia, industry, government, and community organizations.
• Serve as the principal liaison for external collaborators-facilitating engagement, communication, and continuous partnership improvement.
• Coordinate matchmaking and engagement events (e.g., workshops, roundtables, site visits) to connect researchers and industry leaders.
• Develop standardized partnership selection criteria, documentation, and performance tracking processes.
• Ensure alignment between partnership activities, funding outcomes, and program priorities.
• Communicate success stories, metrics, and impact to internal and external stakeholders
• Lead communications and marketing activities

Strategy and Administration

• Lead development of strategic planning and long-term funding strategies to support BRIDGES and related large-scale research and development programs.
• Assist with identifying and pursuing federal, state, and complementary funding opportunities aligned with Engine priorities.
• Negotiate and manage partnership-related agreements.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and sponsor regulations (NSF, OMB, and other grant-specific requirements).

Leadership and Program Coordination

• Provide strategic leadership on funding, partnership performance, and compliance issues.
• Cultivate a collaborative culture across scientific, administrative, and community-facing teams.
• Represent BRIDGES and HudsonAlpha at regional and national forums, building visibility and institutional credibility.
• Support the integration of stakeholders from across the spectrum of partners within program operations.
• Track outcomes, metrics, and other performance indicators to drive improvement and demonstrate impact

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in funding administration, grants management, partnership development, or related field
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-institutional, federally funded projects
• Proven experience cultivating and maintaining relationships across academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors
• Significant experience with federal grant programs and multi-institutional awards
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, highly regulated, multi-partner environments
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to unify diverse stakeholders toward shared goals
• Excellent communication and execution skills

Preferred

• Advanced degree (PhD, MS, or equivalent) in science, engineering, biotechnology, or a related field.
• Experience supporting large-scale initiatives such as NSF Engines or similar programs

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong strategic, organizational, and project management capabilities.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills.
• High business acumen with the ability to unify diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.
• Skilled at navigating regulated, cross-sector environments.
• Strong analytical, budgeting, and compliance oversight abilities.
• Passion for continuous improvement and impact tracking

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/Mental Functions

ADA Requirements - The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer - All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to their own or others' health and safety. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties required for this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (50% of the time).
• Frequently moving between work areas.
• Frequently moving, transporting, and positioning materials up to 30 pounds.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
• Frequent operation of common office equipment (e.g., computers, mobile devices, calculators, copiers, scanners) and laboratory equipment.
• Frequently position self (e.g., stoop, crouch, crawl, bend) and pull/push, grasp/squeeze, wrist flexion/extension, reach to operate and maintain laboratory equipment.

Environmental Factors

• Exposure to chemical, mechanical, and electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes, and airborne particles.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Mental Functions

• Continuous mental and visual attention, requiring sustained attention and observation.
• Excellent fine motor skills and hand control for accurate pipetting.
• Ability to sustain focus during research procedures (to maintain protocol such as order of operations).
• Ability to visually observe results and record outcomes on lab logs and/or PC.
• Basic computer skills are required.
• Extensive documentation skills, good attention to detail, and exceptional organizational skills are required.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the English language.
• Requires the ability to adapt to change efficiently.
• Ability to independently lead and conduct research, and to evaluate, interpret and present complex scientific data.
• Capacity to work productively within functionally diverse teams as well as collaborate with external investigators and partners in academic and industrial settings.
• Ability to prioritize issues and use sound judgment to recognize when additional consultation and/or help is needed.
• Comfortable working on multiple projects at one time.
• Strong logical thinking and deduction skills.
• Ability to effectively present ideas and information in a variety of formats to a wide range of audiences.
• Positive, flexible, and professional attitude.