Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships with India - University at Albany

Location: Albany, NY Category: Professional Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Tue Jun 30 2026 Job Description: The University at Albany (UAlbany) is expanding its global reach, visibility, and impact in India, focusing on academic and research partnerships. Most recently, UAlbany signed several agreements with partner institutions, including Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS) and Ramaiah Institute of Science and Management (RISM). This initiative is in line with the university's strategic priority of Internationalization and its primary goal to educate engaged global citizens. These agreements have already paved the way for UAlbany, RUAS, and RISM to collaborate on academic programs, research initiatives, workforce development efforts, and faculty and student exchange. Since these partnerships began in 2025, we have made significant progress, including our collaboration with RISM's launch in India. Important milestones include: The official launch of RISM in its temporary location in June 2026. A groundbreaking celebration for the new RISM campus in Bengaluru, which will also feature a high-level delegation from UAlbany in September 2026. Ongoing relationship-building with industry partners in India. Reporting directly to the President with a dotted reporting line to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Partnerships with India will be the chief architect of UAlbany's strategy in developing and implementing partnerships with India. In this role, they will, in coordination and collaboration with senior administration at UAlbany and our partner institutions, focus on the development and implementation of strategic goals, projects, and initiatives related to academic and research partnerships, enrollment, and industry partnerships. The Senior Advisor will also work with UAlbany leadership to set the vision, goals, and strategic priorities to develop a robust, impactful, and sustainable model aimed at expanding and strengthening these partnerships. The Senior Advisor will serve as the primary liaison and operational lead for UAlbany's existing and future partnerships in India and other areas of the world as determined by the president and the UAlbany leadership team. They will coordinate closely with UAlbany's leadership team, including the President, Provost, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Academic Deans, the President's Chief of Staff and Liaison for International Relations, and others. Their leadership role will be instrumental to these partnerships. In addition to executing the existing partnership agreements, the Senior Advisor should be proposing potential new areas for partnership with RUAS, RISM, and other institutions and industry leaders in India and other areas of the world. Primary Responsibilities: Strategy Development The Senior Advisor will expand upon UAlbany's existing strategic initiatives with India, within the context of our Strategic Plan, to develop short- and long-term goals for UAlbany's presence in India (e.g., academic partnerships, research collaborations, enrollment opportunities, etc.), as well as a comprehensive and sustainable plan to achieve them. The Senior Advisor will also be tasked with developing and monitoring metrics to measure progress toward these strategic goals. The Senior Advisor will coordinate closely with the Division of Academic Affairs, including Deans and faculty, the Division of Research and Economic Development, Student Affairs and Enrollment, and Communications and Marketing, among others, to ensure alignment of goals, to understand the details of the existing partnership agreements, and to identify opportunities for effective implementation and expansion. The Senior Advisor will also collaborate directly with the In-Country Representative hired to assist UAlbany with recruitment in India and beyond. In collaboration with UAlbany's Office of Communications and Marketing and Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment, the Senior Advisor will work to expand UAlbany's presence in India, and particularly (but not exclusively) in Bengaluru, with key audiences including prospective students, higher education institutions, and industry partners. This work may include identifying opportunities for sponsorships and events that will advance UAlbany's goals in the region. Operationalizing Partnerships The Senior Advisor will serve as the official point of contact between UAlbany and partner organizations in India, including Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS) and Ramaiah Institute of Science and Management (RISM). This will include developing strategic and strong relationships with key stakeholders and leading regular communication between stakeholders at UAlbany and partner institutions in India. The Senior Advisor must be able to quickly build and maintain trust with partners in India and leverage strong collaborative networks at UAlbany. This work will also include developing a deep understanding of our existing academic and research partnership agreements with institutions from India in order to facilitate their implementation and review, in close collaboration with the Center for International Education and Global Strategy (CIEGS) and the UAlbany leadership team. These agreements cover areas including faculty exchange, research collaborations, curriculum transfer, student exchange, and industry partnerships. In addition, the Senior Advisor will identify strategic opportunities for new partnerships and collaborations with institutions in India (and beyond) that align with and will advance UAlbany's strategic goals and facilitate their development and implementation. Functional and Supervisory Relationships: Reports to: the President with a dotted reporting line to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development Supervises the following positions:  N/A Job Requirements: Knowledge of academic and research partnerships in higher education. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with diverse, global audiences, including faculty, staff, students, and industry partners. Demonstrated success in managing international partnerships. Demonstrated commitment to equity, student advocacy, and educational access. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and to handle confidential matters with tact and a high degree of discretion. Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to work across complex university environments and effectively move projects forward across cultures and time zones. Willingness and ability to travel internationally. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role. Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization. At least 5 years of senior-level experience within a higher education institution working in international programs, research administration, or a related field. Experience with and knowledge of higher education in India. Experience developing, managing, or implementing international partnerships, academic collaborations, or global initiatives. Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in higher education administration, international relations, public administration, business, or a related field from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization. Significant experience working with institutions or partners in India in the higher education and research landscape. Experience working within SUNY or a comparable institution. Working Environment: Typical office environment Additional Information: Professional Rank and Salary Range:  MP3, $135,000 - 145,000. Special Notes:  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.  Additionally, please note that UAlbany is not an E-Verify employer. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made.  If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at [contact details available in the full listing] or via email at [contact details available in the full listing] . THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER Please apply online via http://albany.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=201996 Apply Online