Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that
advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways,
inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and
expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming
environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of
Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate
program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of
Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate
School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics
and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic
departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community
unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range
of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks
to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared
commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all
members of our community and prepares the next generation of
leaders through a transformative educational experience.
Job Description
Job Summary:
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at Harvard University seeks
an innovative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial
Director of
Industry Alliances to lead the development and strategic
management of relationships between the Sciences Division and
industry partners.
Reporting directly to the Dean of Science, the Director will build
relationships with companies, foundations, investors, and other
external organizations to advance research collaborations,
educational initiatives, talent development, technology
translation, and other strategic opportunities. The successful
candidate will serve as a trusted bridge between Harvard faculty
industry partners, and where appropriate the Office of Technology
and Development. The Director will identify areas of shared
interest and create partnerships that support scientific discovery,
innovation, and societal impact.
The Director will work across disciplines and Harvard
administrative units, including research administration, technology
transfer, corporate relations, development, sponsored programs,
communications, all in close collaboration with academic
leadership. This position requires exceptional
relationship-building skills, sound judgment, strategic vision, and
the ability to operate effectively in a complex, highly
collaborative academic environment.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Faculty and Researcher Engagement
- Serve as a primary point of contact for faculty and researchers
seeking to explore or expand industry relationships
Learn and communicate the research strengths, capabilities, and
priorities of the Sciences Division to prospective partners
Facilitate introductions and conversations between faculty and
industry representatives
Help translate scientific research and academic priorities into
compelling partnership concepts for external audiences
Support the development of proposals, briefing materials,
presentations, and partnership agreements in collaboration with
relevant University offices
Promote interdisciplinary opportunities that bring together
faculty and researchers from multiple scientific fields
Industry Strategy and Partnership Development
- Develop and implement a comprehensive industry engagement
strategy for the Division of Science aligned with academic,
research, and institutional priorities
- Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with companies
and industry leaders across relevant sectors, including
biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, climate
technology, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, computing,
and other emerging fields
- Identify opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations
involving faculty, researchers, students, laboratories, centers,
and academic programs
- Develop partnership models that may include sponsored research,
collaborative research programs, strategic gifts, fellowships,
internships, executive education, student recruitment, equipment
support, and innovation initiatives
- Build a strong pipeline of prospective industry partners and
maintain accurate records of relationship activity, opportunities,
and outcomes
- Advise academic leaders and faculty on effective approaches to
industry engagement and partnership development
Partnership Management and Stewardship
- Build and manage a portfolio of high-value industry
relationships from initial engagement through implementation and
renewal
- Establish clear goals, deliverables, timelines, and success
measures for strategic partnerships
- Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure effective
communication and execution of partnership commitments
- Monitor partnership performance and prepare regular reports and
recommendations for academic and administrative leadership
- Develop stewardship and engagement plans that deepen
relationships and support long-term collaboration
- Represent the Sciences Division at industry conferences,
scientific meetings, corporate events, and University
functions
Cross-Campus Collaboration
- Collaborate with Harvard offices and units responsible for
sponsored research, technology licensing and transfer, corporate
relations, development, research compliance, intellectual property,
communications, and legal affairs
- Coordinate with relevant schools, institutes, centers, and
laboratories across Harvard to identify opportunities for
cross-school and University-wide engagement
- Help ensure that industry partnerships are developed and
managed in accordance with Harvard policies and applicable legal,
ethical, research, and conflict-of-interest requirements
- Participate in University-wide initiatives related to
innovation, entrepreneurship, research translation, and external
engagement
Innovation and External Engagement
- Monitor trends in science, technology, investment, and industry
to identify emerging partnership opportunities
- Develop forums, roundtables, symposia, workshops, and other
programs that connect faculty and students with industry
leaders
- Support opportunities for student engagement, including
internships, mentoring, experiential learning, career pathways, and
industry-sponsored projects
- Contribute to efforts that advance the translation of
scientific discoveries into practical applications and broader
societal impact
- Represent the Division of Science with professionalism,
credibility, and discretion in external settings
Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office setting;
this is a hybrid position requiring three (3) days on campus
(minimum)
Physical Requirements: Sitting and using near vision for
reading and computer work for extended periods of time
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, business, public
policy, communications, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible
experience in industry relations, research partnerships,
business development, corporate engagement, technology
commercialization, scientific program management, or a related
area.
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing relationships
with corporate, scientific, philanthropic, or other external
partners.
- Experience working with scientists, researchers, academic
leaders, or technical professionals in a complex organization.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- MBA or other advanced degree in a scientific, engineering,
business, policy, or related discipline strongly preferred
- Experience in higher education, research institutions, life
sciences, biotechnology, healthcare, climate and environmental
science, advanced technology, or a related sector
- Understanding of sponsored research, intellectual property,
technology transfer, research compliance, and university-industry
collaboration
- Demonstrated ability to understand and communicate complex
scientific concepts to both technical and nontechnical
audiences
- Experience structuring or supporting multidisciplinary,
multi-party partnerships
- Knowledge of the venture capital, biotechnology,
pharmaceutical, technology, energy, or nonprofit research
ecosystems
- Experience working within a large, decentralized, or matrixed
organization
Skills and Competencies
- Exceptional relationship-building, listening, negotiation, and
interpersonal skills.
- Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to
identify opportunities and turn them into actionable
partnerships.
- Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
- Ability to communicate credibly with faculty, scientists,
executives, investors, government representatives, and
students.
- Strong project-management skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and
stakeholders with sound judgment.
- Demonstrated discretion and ability to handle confidential or
sensitive information.
- Commitment to collaboration, inclusion, academic excellence,
and ethical engagement.
- Comfort working independently while contributing effectively to
a team-oriented environment.
Additional Information
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is
unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
- Other Information: All formal offers will be made by FAS
Human Resources.
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that
some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively
performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location
will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon
operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or
Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must
work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the
University’s Policy on
Employment Outside of Massachusetts .
Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.
Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location.
Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior
to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit
Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the
corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to
support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and
financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our
benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting
on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition
assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our
Benefits & Wellbeing
Page .
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to
equal opportunity and
non-discrimination . We seek talent
from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure
everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community
advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an
equal employment opportunity policy
that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the
basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,
or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the
university's
non-discrimination policy . Harvard's
equal employment opportunity policy
and
non-discrimination policy help all
community members participate fully in work and campus life free
from harassment and discrimination.
