Chief Innovation & Partnership Officer (CIPO)

Universities of Wisconsin • Milwaukee, WI

2d • $180,000 - $215,000

About The Position

The position is the front door to the university for corporations, government bodies, elected officials, and other organizations, to collaborate, connect with, and access the wealth of strengths, contributions and resources of UWM students, faculty, staff and alumni. to access UWM’s strengths, resources and contributions. This role reports to the Vice Chancellor of Research as part of the Office of Research and will work operationally in the Office of Research (e.g., for purposes of payroll, leave requests, Workday, and other logistical purposes). The role also functions as a direct report to the Chancellor and is part of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and senior leadership team, known as the “Chancellor’s Direct Reports.” As a leader of the unit of Strategic Partnerships, this role leads UWM’s strategic partnerships with corporations and other organizations that collaborate with the university to support the academic enterprise, advance research opportunities, raise philanthropic funding, develop curriculum and improve student career experiences. The office currently oversees the following initiatives: Connected Systems Institute Lubar Entrepreneurship Center Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• One of the following:
• At least five years of successful, progressively responsible, direct experience in corporate or non-profit engagement/relations or advancement role at a college/university, including completion of corporate or non-profit partnership agreements or solicitation of major gifts; or
• At least eight years of successful, progressively responsible, direct experience in industrial sales, marketing, planning, research, manufacturing, or engineering in a technology-based organization.
• Experience managing budgets, fiscal planning, and resource allocation, as well as supervising and developing personnel.
• Exceptional critical thinking, writing, speaking, interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.
• Professional work background in business, engineering, entrepreneurship, health care, information systems, manufacturing, research, science or another related field.
• Experience in managing corporate relationships for an institution of higher education.
• Experience in utilizing latest technologies for innovative operations and strategic efforts.
• Experience monitoring and regular reporting on metrics.
• Experience fostering partnerships and collaborating with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with and serving diverse populations.
• Experience advising leaders on sensitive or high-visibility issues.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the faculty, staff, senior academic leadership, and other internal partners to initiate, support and strengthen key corporate and other partnerships that provide significant value to UWM academics, research, student success, and other strategic drivers for the University.
• Exhibit strong relationship-building abilities and be a sophisticated communicator with an ability to influence decision-makers. This includes relationships with senior leaders at corporate partners and other organizations, government and local agency contacts, elected officials, faculty, staff, campus leadership, and contacts within schools/colleges with responsibility for corporate and other organization relations.
• Serve as an experienced facilitator of the University’s partnerships and a self-starter who thrives on building and enhancing innovative and collaborative relationships with external organizations.
• Lead outreach efforts with key corporate partners, coordinating with senior company leadership, and exploring alignment of business needs with UWM strengths; lead and support outreach efforts with other partners, identifying alignment of UWM capabilities with missions of these partner organizations.
• Provide concierge service to corporate and other external organization contacts at the national and international levels.
• Represent UWM, both in person and virtually, to local, national and international contacts in meetings, events, ceremonies and conferences, skillfully advocating and negotiating for growth and advancement of the University’s strategic goals.
• Collaborate closely with UWM’s Office of the Chancellor, Office of External Relations & Government Relations, and Division of University Advancement on strategy and tactics in connections and communications with existing and potential corporate and other partners, ensuring that UWM’s goals and interests are represented in a coordinated and consistent manner.
• The role must become knowledgeable about UWM’s mission and strategic vision and goals and develop a working knowledge of UWM’s key academic programs, research centers and leadership of campus academic units.
• Develop and articulate appropriate program concepts and strategies for partnerships. This includes development and completion of case statements, memoranda of understanding, white papers, proposals, agreements, schematics, visual graphics, and other sophisticated presentation materials that effectively advance UWM’s advocacy and success with partners.
• Develop and execute effective and timely strategies to increase the number of UWM’s quality partnerships. Success in this responsibility will be measured by established metrics. Prepare and present regular reports on metrics progress.

Benefits

• UWM offers a comprehensive benefits package and contributes toward the cost of several benefit plans.
• Employees with a qualifying position also receive an extensive leave package including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees