Director, Industry Engagement

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

3d•$130,800 - $169,900•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Industry Engagement leads the development, cultivation, and management of strategic partnerships between the College of Arts and Sciences and industry sponsors. The role serves as a key liaison among faculty, industry partners, the ASC Office for Career and Professional Success, Corporate and Foundation Engagement, the Office of Sponsored Research, research administration, other university corporate engagement teams, and stakeholders. The goal is to expand sponsored research opportunities, support talent acquisition, accelerate innovation, and strengthen the college's research enterprise. The Director works with a high degree of autonomy to identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with existing and prospective industry partners; develop strategies to increase industry-sponsored research funding and collaboration; advise faculty and industry representatives; and represent the institution at industry, research, and economic development events. The role facilitates connections between faculty expertise and industry research needs, supports large-scale strategic partnerships and multidisciplinary collaborations, and works with academic leaders to identify institutional strengths and emerging opportunities. The Director develops partnership models aligned with academic priorities and industry objectives, supports faculty in developing competitive industry-sponsored research proposals, and coordinates with research administration, legal, intellectual property, and compliance offices. The role also assists in negotiating research agreements, sponsorship terms, and partnership frameworks, while ensuring alignment with institutional policies and sponsor requirements. The Director maintains a portfolio of strategic industry relationships, monitors partnership performance, facilitates regular communications and executive-level engagement with sponsors, addresses challenges, and seeks successful collaboration outcomes. The role develops metrics to assess partnership effectiveness and research impact; tracks industry engagement activities, proposal submissions, funding outcomes, and partnership growth; prepares reports and presentations for institutional leadership; and recommends improvements to processes and partnership strategies. The position is in the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Industry Partnerships and Research Collaboration. The college has 38 departments, more than 20 research centers, and more than 2,000 faculty and staff. The position is regular, scheduled for 40 hours per week, and is listed as first shift. The pay range is $130,800–$169,900, with the offer depending on internal equity, available budget, and candidate qualifications. Final candidates are subject to a background check; a drug screen or physical may be required after an offer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a relevant field.
Eight years of relevant experience in business development or university research developing, cultivating, and leading relationships.
Significant experience in research administration, corporate engagement, business development, technology commercialization, or related fields.
Demonstrated success developing and managing complex external partnerships.
Strong understanding of sponsored research and university-industry collaboration models.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business administration or a relevant field.
Experience working within higher education or research-intensive organizations.
Knowledge of intellectual property, licensing, and innovation ecosystems.
Experience supporting large multidisciplinary research initiatives.
Familiarity with federal, state, and industry-sponsored research environments.

Responsibilities

Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with existing and prospective industry partners.
Develop strategies to increase industry-sponsored research funding and collaborative opportunities.
Advise faculty and industry representatives about partnership opportunities.
Represent the institution at industry, research, and economic development events.
Connect faculty expertise with industry research needs.
Support the development of large-scale strategic partnerships and multidisciplinary collaborations.
Work with academic leaders to identify institutional strengths and emerging opportunities.
Develop partnership models that align academic priorities with industry objectives.
Support faculty in developing competitive industry-sponsored research proposals.
Coordinate with research administration, legal, intellectual property, and compliance offices.
Assist in negotiating research agreements, sponsorship terms, and partnership frameworks.
Ensure partnerships align with institutional policies and sponsor requirements.
Maintain a portfolio of strategic industry relationships and monitor partnership performance.
Facilitate regular communications and executive-level engagement with industry sponsors.
Address collaboration challenges and support successful outcomes.
Develop metrics to assess partnership effectiveness and research impact.
Track industry engagement activities, proposal submissions, funding outcomes, and partnership growth.
Prepare reports and presentations for institutional leadership.
Recommend improvements to processes and partnership strategies.