Assistant/Associate Director of Partnerships – CyLab Security and Privacy Institute

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University's CyLab is seeking an Assistant/Associate Director of Partnerships to join their team. This role focuses on building and stewarding relationships with corporate and government partners in cybersecurity, privacy, and blockchain research, as well as executive education. The position requires expertise in client relationship management to maintain and grow collaborations, contribute to research initiatives, and develop strategies for prospecting new partners. The role is based in Pittsburgh with occasional travel required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or related fields (master’s degree preferred).
Corporate & Government Relations Officer I (Assistant Director of Partnerships): 3-5 years of fundraising, client relations, account management, business development, or strategic partnerships experience required.
Corporate & Government Relations Officer II (Associate Director of Partnerships): 5-8+ years of fundraising, client relations, account management, business development, or strategic partnerships experience required.
A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Excellent interpersonal skills for effective relationship management.
Strong client service orientation.
Comfortable engaging with diverse partners both within and outside CMU.
Ability to interact confidently with senior management and technical leadership in corporations and government agencies.
Proficiency in project management, team building, and community engagement.
Organizational skills with an ability to anticipate and solve problems.
Effective decision-making and analytical abilities.
Discretion and judgment when handling confidential information.
Exceptional written and verbal business communication skills.
Financial acumen.
Ability to plan new programs and successfully execute current projects.
Track record of keeping teams, projects, and deliverables on track to support larger strategic goals.
Self-motivated and proactive team player.
Set priorities effectively and coordinate multiple projects with competing demands.
Deliver results aligned with strategic objectives.
Proficiency with enterprise business applications (e.g., Salesforce/CRM, Monday.com/project management tools) and the strategic application of AI tools for data analysis and proposal development.
Successful background check.

Responsibilities

Connect with existing partners at least quarterly to enhance value and explore collaboration areas.
Identify and facilitate communication and collaboration opportunities between partners, faculty, and students.
Contribute to organizing and engaging with partners through events like the annual CyLab Partners Conference and weekly CyLab Seminars.
Manage the CyLab partner portal, enhancing its features for improved partner experience.
Act as a liaison for partner organizations interested in CMU recruitment activities.
Collaborate on strategies to enhance faculty engagement with corporate and government entities.
Contribute to the development of strategic plans for innovative programs and partnerships.
Identify and prioritize potential corporate and institutional partners based on alignment with CyLab’s objectives.
Engage targeted individuals through various outreach methods (emails, calls, meetings, events, social media).
Promote the CyLab Partner Program, navigate objections, and manage contractual processes.
Maintain an in-depth understanding of challenges in information security, privacy, and blockchain research.
Foster relationships with faculty/students and stay informed on their research.
Develop and execute strategies to boost faculty engagement with partners.
Create and manage partner marketing materials in collaboration with the Director of Partnerships & Communications Manager.
Represent CyLab at internal and external meetings/events.
Assist in budgeting and tracking financials related to partnerships.
Utilize Salesforce database for data entry and report generation.