Senior Director External Partnerships

Supports the University’s corporate and community engagement efforts by managing a portfolio of external partnerships. Implements established engagement processes to ensure a consistent and coordinated approach to cultivating and expanding relationships that advance institutional priorities. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to create mutually beneficial partnerships.

• Manages the corporate engagement process for assigned accounts to ensure activities align with institutional priorities. Coordinates across University units to maintain consistent and effective partner engagement. Supports growth in the number of companies engaged and develops systems to leverage internal resources for expanding external partnerships.
• Serves as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of companies and organizations. Builds and maintains partnerships that create mutual value and coordinates stewardship and follow-up across University departments to ensure consistency in account management.
• Facilitates connections between external partners and University faculty, programs, and resources. Supports opportunities for student engagement, including internships and research collaborations, and ensures partner needs are aligned with institutional strengths through coordinated engagement.
• Maintains consistent and streamlined processes for capturing engagement activity in the University’s customer relationship management system. Ensures timely and accurate entry of engagement data from all team members to support reporting and decision-making.
• Represents the unit at University and community events to promote visibility, build networks, and advance institutional initiatives and partnerships. Contributes to planning and implementation of unit-sponsored activities and events.
• Identifies and cultivates new corporate and community prospects in target sectors. Pursues opportunities in alignment with institutional growth priorities to expand external partnerships.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Master's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

• Three years' relevant experience.
• Experience in corporate community, or educational partnerships.
• Experience with account management or program coordination.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience supporting partnership growth.

• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel in-state and out-of-state.

• Entrepreneurial or innovative education experience.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2025-12-05