"University Partnership Program Manager"

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

Strategic Communications & Public Affairs collaborates across campus and the health system to advance UCI's reputation, mission, priorities and values through storytelling, relationship building, and an integrated communication approach that includes the following:

• Brand development and management: Cultivating an emotional connection and loyalty to the university by articulating the institution's distinctive qualities, encouraging a positive experience, and developing university's identity, marks and graphic assets.
• Trademarks & Licensing: Protecting campus marks and capitalizing on licensing opportunities through managing marks and partnerships.
• Community relations & engagement: Creating opportunities for local political, community, and business leaders to engage with the university to support the connection between Orange County's dynamic economy and its premiere research institution.
• Executive communications: Strengthening the presence and influence of university leaders - globally, regionally and within the campus - through effective messaging and outreach support.
• Government relations and advocacy: Engaging elected and appointed officials at the federal, state, regional and local levels to promote our research, education, and public service activities.
• Internal communications: Providing outreach assistance and information for UCI's students, faculty and staff.
• Marketing: Developing effective tools and services to convey the university's message, including advertising, presentations, promotional pieces and events.
• Media relations: Establishing mutually beneficial relationships with members of the media - from digital publications and social networks to production studios and news organizations - to support the accurate, appropriate and fair use of university information worldwide.
• Publications and digital properties: Creating books, magazines, newsletters, brochures, websites and other digital content that advance the university's mission.
• Visual communications: Producing photography, videography, graphic design and other visual assets that help create compelling stories.

https://communications.uci.edu/

Reporting to the Director of Trademarks and Licensing, the University Partnership Program Manager is responsible for leading development execution and managing and developing strategic revenue-generating partnerships that align with UC Irvine's values and mission. This role focuses on proactively identifying, negotiating, and building meaningful, university-wide relationships with business partners by collaborating across units to create partnership opportunities that enhance the University's enterprise-wide initiatives. This role will also be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and facilitating meaningful unit and department-specific partnerships, including managing activations per terms of each partnership.

The University Partnership Program Manager will spearhead further development of the campus' University Partnership Program (UPP) and manage high value campus relationships including sponsors, investors and corporate partners, expanding partnerships to maximize the value of the relationship for the University and the organization. They take a key leadership role in shaping and driving administrative transformation efforts, particularly the campus's strategic focus on revenue generating activity. They will proactively cultivate new corporate partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, including campuswide agreements such as credit union partnerships, pouring rights, and event sponsorships. They will engage stakeholders across the university to maximize the tangible value of these partnerships, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.

Additionally, the University Partnership Program Manager will oversee the evaluation and management of existing sponsorships, applying key performance metrics to assess impact and long-term viability. This position requires a high degree of autonomy and strategic foresight to drive revenue growth while fostering meaningful relationships with corporate partners and the surrounding community.

This position is a two-year contract.

Required:

• Thorough knowledge of business development concepts, practices. Deep understanding of partnership agreements, intellectual property law, licensing and its implementation in a higher education setting.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills to perform complex market and financial analysis.
• Advanced problem solving skills to assess complex issues and develop solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively and effectively with multi-disciplinary, cross-functional teams.
• Skilled communicator: includes verbal and written, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills. Ability to positively interact with executives, providers and staff at all levels and ability to use discretion and respect confidentiality.
• Ability to develop comprehensive reports and presentations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office software and database applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).
• Advanced skills in developing and negotiating external partnerships that support revenue generation.
• Knowledge of the organizational environment of higher education and large research universities to understand client priorities, issues, motivations and constraints.
• Possesses superior consulting, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills.
• Advanced organizational and project management skills. Ability to prioritize tasks and see projects through from inception to completion on schedule
• Ability to approach a wide range of projects strategically and creatively, with an eye for detail as well as careful attention to messaging and quality of writing.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, English, Marketing or related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• 3-4 years experience in fundraising in a higher education environment, or similar experience.

Preferred: MBA or related advanced degree

Special Conditions: May need to work some nights and weekends.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $100,000-$140,000 (Annual).