Director of External Partnerships and Translation
About The Position
The School of Data Science (SDS) at the University of Virginia is seeking a Director of External Partnerships and Translation. This role is crucial in bridging cutting-edge research and educational excellence with real-world application. The Director will be responsible for expanding the reach and impact of SDS faculty and student work by strengthening connections with external partners. This includes identifying opportunities for sponsored research, executive education, intellectual property development, and strategic partnerships. The ultimate goal is to position SDS as a trusted partner in addressing real-world challenges through data science, enhancing both public impact and long-term sustainability.
Requirements
- Experience developing and managing strategic external partnerships.
- Experience supporting research translation, technology transfer, knowledge mobilization, community-engaged scholarship, sponsored research, or related activities.
- Knowledge of research administration, sponsored programs, or partnership development processes.
- Experience working across organizational boundaries to build collaborations and achieve shared goals.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical or research concepts for diverse audiences.
- Bachelor's degree required.
- 7+ years of relevant professional experience required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in higher education, research organizations, government, nonprofit, or industry settings.
- Experience developing sponsored research partnerships or externally funded collaborations.
- Familiarity with intellectual property, licensing, commercialization, or venture development processes.
- Experience designing executive education, workforce development, or professional learning initiatives.
- Working knowledge of data science, artificial intelligence, analytics, or related fields.
- Experience supporting interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
- Ability to work effectively with faculty, university leadership, and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement strategies that increase the visibility, adoption, and real-world application of SDS research, expertise, and intellectual assets.
- Connect faculty scholarship with opportunities for sponsored research, executive education, public engagement, licensing, commercialization, and other impact pathways.
- Partner with university units to identify and advance research outputs with potential for broader societal, economic, or organizational impact.
- Identify emerging organizational and workforce needs that can inform new educational and partnership initiatives.
- Closely support the SDS Industry Partners Program and related initiatives to strengthen external engagement and impact.
- Facilitate introductions and relationship-building activities that lead to externally funded collaborations.
- Support the development of interdisciplinary partnerships that increase research funding, visibility, and societal impact.
- Develop and maintain metrics that assess partnership development, research translation, external engagement, sponsored research growth, executive education participation, and societal impact.
- Prepare annual and quarterly reports for SDS leadership summarizing activities, outcomes, opportunities, and barriers.
- Develop and manage an annual operating budget.
Benefits
- performance based incentive plan
- Base salary commensurate with experience and education, with supplemental performance-based incentive package.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
