Director, Industry Engagement, Texas McCombs

University of Texas at Austin

3d•$90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Industry Engagement & Strategic Partnerships is a senior individual contributor responsible for developing and advancing high-impact industry partnerships that drive revenue through a combination of philanthropic investment and strategic collaboration. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role leads strategy for a portfolio of established corporate partners, with a primary focus on deepening engagement, expanding partnerships, and growing revenue over time. This role is centered on maximizing the value and impact of existing relationships, identifying new opportunities within current accounts, and aligning those opportunities with the strategic priorities of the McCombs School of Business. This role sits at the intersection of fundraising and corporate partnership development, requiring both revenue generation and long-term relationship strategy. Success requires strong relationship management, strategic thinking, and the ability to work cross-functionally to unlock new pathways for engagement within existing partnerships.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, education, or a related field
5+ years of experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, account management, or business development, with demonstrated success growing and expanding existing client or partner relationships
Proven track record of increasing revenue within established accounts through philanthropic gifts, sponsorships, or partnership investments
Demonstrated ability to build and manage senior-level relationships across complex organizations
Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to identify and unlock growth opportunities within existing partnerships
Experience working across complex organizations and influencing without direct authority
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to varied audiences
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and long-term account strategies
Proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office tools, and virtual communication platforms
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated database management skills, preferably with customer relationship management software.
Experience creating, monitoring, and reporting on metrics for success of outreach efforts.
Experience with solicitation and stewardship of corporate and foundation donors.
Experience working with senior executives, senior administration, students and faculty.
Experience in working with complex information.
Experience in higher education and//or industry.
7+ years of experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, account management, or business development, with demonstrated success growing and expanding existing client or partner relationships

Responsibilities

Own strategy and growth for a defined portfolio of high-priority industry partners, with a focus on expanding existing relationships and increasing long-term revenue.
Identify, develop, and secure new opportunities within current partner organizations, including philanthropic giving, sponsorship, and broader strategic investments.
Build multi-year account plans that outline pathways for deeper engagement, increased investment, and expanded collaboration.
Lead the evolution of partnerships beyond transactional engagement (e.g., recruiting) into multi-dimensional relationships including philanthropy, executive engagement, thought leadership, and support of research and key initiatives.
Develop and execute integrated revenue strategies in collaboration with central development and internal stakeholders.
Consistently meet or exceed annual revenue and growth goals tied to account expansion and retention.
Serve as the primary relationship lead for senior-level stakeholders across partner organizations.
Build and sustain trusted, long-term partnerships that create mutual value and position McCombs as a strategic partner.
Navigate complex partner organizations to identify new stakeholders, champions, and decision-makers.
Represent McCombs in high-level external meetings, events, and strategic conversations.
Partner closely with Development, the Employer & Corporate Ecosystem, faculty, and program teams to identify and deliver on partnership opportunities within existing accounts.
Translate partner interests into actionable plans and align internal stakeholders to execute effectively.
Contribute to broader team strategy by sharing insights on partner priorities, market trends, and opportunities for growth within current relationships.
Lead cross-functional initiatives, driving progress and accountability without direct authority.
Maintain clear account plans, pipeline visibility, and revenue forecasting with a focus on account growth and retention.
Utilize CRM tools and data insights to track engagement, identify gaps, and inform strategy.
Support coordination of key partner-facing moments (e.g., executive engagement, events, recognition opportunities) as part of a broader account strategy.