Business Engagement Officer

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of the Office of Corporate Relations of the College of Engineering (COE), the Business Engagement Officer leads existing and prospective interactions with industry and national and international laboratory partners. The role executes business development strategies for selected UW-Madison COE consortia, institutes, and centers to support their growth and sustainability, and leads engagement with national and international labs to increase partnerships with COE departments and faculty. The position manages industrial consortia and national lab collaborations connected to UW research, including strategy, communications, event planning, membership engagement, and recruiting. It evaluates strategies and recommends program enhancements, monitors portfolio activity and market share, proposes operational policies and procedures, and directs staff implementation of outreach events, programs, communications, and research activities. The anticipated hybrid schedule allows up to two remote days and three onsite days per week after an initial three-month training period requiring five onsite days per week. The position requires ongoing eligibility to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Requirements

Proven track record of driving cross-functional initiatives and influencing multidisciplinary teams without direct authority to deliver high-impact results.
Experience crafting and delivering clear presentations to leadership, advisory boards, faculty, or external stakeholders.
Professional experience identifying, developing, or expanding corporate partnerships, joint initiatives, or revenue-generating opportunities.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business.
Energetic, action-oriented approach; ability to influence without direct authority and demonstrate results.
Ability to develop and maintain broad internal and external contacts and networks.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfort speaking in groups and large forums.
Ability to negotiate with, persuade, and influence others.
Willingness to engage with unfamiliar topics without having complete knowledge or understanding.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience taking complex programs or projects from concept through execution in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.
Significant experience networking, cultivating, and maintaining critical internal and external partnerships to support business objectives.
Considerable problem-solving skills and ability to quickly engage with complex, unfamiliar domains, synthesize incomplete information, and execute effective solutions.
Degrees in both engineering and business; MS or MBA.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage industrial consortia and national lab collaborations connected to UW research, including strategy, communications, event planning, membership engagement, and member recruiting.
Evaluate existing strategies and recommend program enhancements to unit leadership.
Identify, propose, and implement new or revised unit operational policies and procedures.
Monitor portfolio activity and market share, and disseminate updates to leadership and appropriate entities.
Plan and direct staff implementation of new and existing business outreach events, programs, communications, and research activities.
Lead existing and prospective interactions with industry and national and international laboratory partners.
Execute business development strategies for selected COE consortia, institutes, and centers to support growth and sustainability.
Lead engagement with national and international labs to increase partnerships with COE departments and faculty.