Director of External Partnerships for the School of Engineering and Computing

Elon University • Elon, NC

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Working within the School of Engineering & Computing, the Director of External Partnerships (DEP) plays a critical role in enabling the growth of Elon's Engineering and Computer Science industry-sponsored programs and establishing partnerships that align value creation and learning. The DEP supports the execution of Elon’s strategic plan by creating opportunities for students to engage in impact-centered educational experiences, including the Senior Projects in Elon Engineering Design (SPEED) as well as new programs that are currently at the inception or prototype stage. The DEP’s responsibilities include the full cycle of business development, project development, and partner relationship management. Many responsibilities involve interactions with faculty, students, and staff in other areas of Elon University, as well as external constituents of various kinds (e.g., alumni, non-profit organizations, municipalities and educators at other institutions). These responsibilities will vary over time in response to opportunities and needs with a growing student population.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree required
• 5-10 years of professional experience in roles requiring technical collaboration, problem definitions, program or project management, and outward facing contact
• Previous success building partnerships, managing relationships, and meeting revenue goals.
• Basic understanding of industry sectors and the connections to technology and employment trends
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, technical skills including a high level of comfort with common software applications, and quantitative skills including basic data and manipulation using spreadsheets.

Nice To Haves

• An engineering, computing or other technical degree is desirable as it would enable deeper engagement in developing projects for students and faculty.

Responsibilities

• Represent Elon Engineering and Computing to potential partner organizations.
• Support exploration and launch of new industry-sponsored programs and partnerships.
• Evaluate and pursue revenue-generating relationships.
• Plan and facilitate meetings of internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft and execute proposals and agreements for SPEED projects.
• Work with Department of Engineering and faculty to develop experiential learning activities, including SPEED projects.
• Evaluate new industry, non-profit organizations, and municipality sponsored project opportunities.
• Secure commitments for projects and guide through contracting process.
• Cultivate new contacts and manage existing partnerships for SPEED projects.
• Support Elon’s Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) efforts to build and maintain excellent relationships with external partners.
• Develop and execute communication programs with external partners.
• Engage with other staff and faculty to support student activities related to experiential learning and internship and career development.
• Host external visitors (e.g., academic and industry partners, prospective donors).
• Proactively improve programs and processes related to SPEED.
• Plan and execute externally facing events to support Elon Engineering brand building for a range of audiences (e.g., prospective students, new partners, technical organizations).

Benefits

• Free use of campus fitness facilities.
• Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director