"Executive Director for Corporate Engagement, Penn Engineering"

Job Description Summary

The Executive Director for Corporate Engagement (ED), Penn Engineering, strengthens the interactions between Penn Engineering and major corporations in the areas of market development. Through partnerships with the private sector, Penn Engineering's vast research knowledge can be leveraged with corporate partners to create, enhance, and further develop new technologies and business opportunities in close alignment with the many interdisciplinary programs and faculty within Penn Engineering and across other Penn Schools at the University through active collaboration. Through a strong understanding of the strengths of Penn Engineering's research programs and expertise and the ability to align those assets with corporations expressing similar interests, the ED will help to implement the market sector business development strategies for Penn Engineering through coordinated efforts via the Penn Center for Innovation's (PCI), as well as the vision of the Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The ED will work with faculty, students, administration, and representatives from industry to advance these mutual research interests and to partner with corporations while helping to foster new relationships across the University and private businesses. The ED will have dual reporting responsibilities to PCI's Managing Director and to the Vice Dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E).

Job Responsibilities

• Work with PCI's Managing Director and Penn Engineering's Vice-Dean of I&E to define and implement a strategic corporate outreach plan for Penn Engineering that will align well with corporate interests. Create a prioritized list of companies to cultivate that maps to the priority areas of Penn, and particularly Penn Engineering. Identify the critical decision makers within these corporate organizations and understand their business priorities. Develop long-term relationships with external corporate decision makers to identify areas where Penn Engineering's portfolio (research, talent, and education) can support companies' short and long-term strategic goals. Build and cultivate relationships across campus and the region to support engagement with corporations.
• Oversee the development of a deep understanding of faculty and programmatic research interests at Penn Engineering to facilitate the aforementioned outreach activities and bridge potential areas of interest to the private sector. Key activities to include identifying and organizing internal resources, such as interviewing faculty, cataloguing expertise of faculty interested in working with corporate research groups outside the University, their associated papers, and IP that culminate 'the pitch' on how their activities could potentially bridge into corporate interests. Create a 'database' on research areas of expertise and maintain it. Interact with University faculty, officials, industry partners, vendors, and government representatives to understand and reduce barriers to collaboration.
• Work with Penn faculty to develop materials that articulate how and where Penn can support longer-term opportunities for industry engagement that align with Penn's interdisciplinary programs, with a focus on Penn Engineering. Steward the potential partnership opportunities which may include identifying executive education areas, framing of new funded research programs, licensing of Penn IP, creation of research alliances, and/or new company formation. Work closely and collaboratively with the PCI teams responsible for these activities and operate as a trusted business partner. Provide insight and ongoing guidance to PCI around the wants and needs of potential partners and changes that might be considered to streamline negotiations and contract implementation to position Penn Engineering as a preferred industry partner.
• Help to design, implement, and advance corporate/university events that foster research interest and partnerships among faculty, students, administration, and representatives from industry. Identify relevant high-profile external events (e.g., JP Morgan Healthcare Conference) where Penn Engineering's presence would be important. Identify relevant grant opportunities, understand, and communicate the application and vetting process.
• In consultation with PCI's Managing Director and the Penn Engineering's Vice Dean of I&E, develop key metrics of success and processes to track. Work closely with faculty and corporations to facilitate project success. Establish ongoing factors to monitor collaborations to ensure continued productivity, which can include working to address areas of concern and streamlining administrative areas.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or computer sciences, and 7-10 years of relevant experience, or Master's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or computer sciences, and 5-7 years of relevant experience in a management position, preferably in management consulting, or business development positions in academia or industry, or equivalent combination of education and experience required. PhD and 5-7 years of relevant experience preferred. Experience in business and relationship development is essential, and a strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is highly desirable. Extensive business network and ability to navigate C-suite decision makers. Experience and understanding of university policies and procedures are a plus. Excellent problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and cooperation skills required.

Application Requirement: A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Job Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School: Provost's Center

Pay Range: $133,000.00 - $200,000.00 Annual Rate