Industry Liaison Office
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
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JOB DETAILS
JOB TYPE
Full-time, Employee
SKILLS
Academic Affairs, Academic Background, Academic Research, Alliance/Partner Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Best Practices, Biomedical Engineering, Budgeting, Business Development, Business Model, Business Plan, Business Strategy, Career Development, Chemical Engineering, Communication Skills, Computer Science, Contract Negotiation, Contract Research Organization (CRO), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Emerging Technology, Employee Terminations, Establish Priorities, Executive Assistant Skills , Financial Modeling, Funding, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Licensing, Market Entry Strategy, Market Research, Market Trend Analysis, Marketing, Mentoring, People Management, Performance Reviews, Physical Science, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Development, Product Engineering, Project/Program Management, Research & Development (R&D), Research Skills, Robotics, Sales, Strategic Planning, Target Marketing, Translational Research, Trend Analysis, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Salt Lake City, UT
POSTED
9 days ago
Industry Liaison Office
Job Summary
The Director or Senior Manager of the Industry Liaison Office is responsible for supporting faculty in identifying, securing, and managing industry-sponsored research funding; leading and unifying industry-sponsored research and outreach activities; and specifically supporting industry interactions in the Price College of Engineering (PCOE). This position reports to the Chief Research Officer (CRO) and Vice Provost for Research Planning and Partnerships, Academic Affairs (AA). The selected candidate will be located in PCOE and spend roughly 85% of their time there, with a dotted-line report to the Dean of PCOE for day-to-day activities. The remaining 15% will support central coordination activities, including work with the Chief Innovation Officer within AA and other members of the Research Partnerships team.
Key to this role are the strategic oversight and operations of ongoing and new functions that support collaborations among academic researchers, industry partners, and commercialization ventures, including the joint pursuit of federal and state funding opportunities. Cultivating, managing, and building relationships with local, state, and national industry leaders across a 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 effective interactions for both the university and its industry partners. It involves strategic planning, project management, and a deep understanding of both academic and commercial environments. This position will bridge activities between Corporate Partnerships and Industry-Sponsored Research.
We are looking for one Director-level or Senior Manager (Strategic Partnership Management) to serve PCOE.
The ideal candidate will have strong industry-sponsored research expertise and experience in engineering-related areas that will support the growth of mutually beneficial relationships between private industry and the University of Utah. They will identify opportunities to engage industry partners in ways that benefit both parties through direct research funding and sponsored research agreements. Other partnerships may include developing University-led consortia, expanding research mentorship and shared facilities, and creating innovative engagements to advance educational 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
Strategic Partnership Management Responsibilities
Direct/Manage 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
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders across PCOE and central university units to ensure alignment.
- The Director/Senior Manager is expected to manage and lead staff as the office grows in proportion to its success.
- Identify target markets well suited for prioritizing research and service offerings from PCOE and the University of Utah more broadly; manage communication and coordination to support growth and opportunities for the University of Utah; and collaborate with other 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 of Utah faculty, and senior leadership.
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.
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.
Minimum Qualifications
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 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.
Preferences
Advanced knowledge of translational research and product development in engineering-related fields. Expertise in emerging technologies, including computing, data science/AI, and broad areas of engineering and physical sciences such as energy, robotics, quantum technologies, electrical and electronics engineering, chemical and biomedical engineering, and related areas, including national security. Knowledge of research and development pathways that lead to commercially viable products and services, including an understanding of best practices for collaborations between industry and academia. A successful record demonstrating the ability to bridge research potential with market needs and trends and to identify partnerships that catalyze innovation and translation. Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, as well as 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.
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN45425B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary:
Department: 00002 - EVPAA - Academics
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $85,000 - $175,000 DOE
Close Date: 8/18/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/203964
jeid-c795a3c187dfc34d84f6f9a2a9127c84
About the Company
U
University of Utah
The state’s oldest and largest institution of higher education, the University of Utah is the flagship university of the state. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students (23,500 undergraduate and 7,500 graduate). The University is noted for its high research profile, its diversity of ideas and people, its stunningly beautiful setting and the warmth, friendliness, and collegiality of its faculty staff, and students. Imagine yourself working in a collaborative, creative, respectful environment where everyone’s contribution is needed and appreciated – University of Utah!
COMPANY SIZE
1,500 to 1,999 employeesINDUSTRY
Education
FOUNDED
1850
WEBSITE
http://www.utah.edu/