Director of Industry Research Partnerships

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The Director of Industry Research Partnerships will develop research partnerships between companies and faculty of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE). Industry-sponsored research is a major growth opportunity for the College, whose engineering expertise and research facilities offer companies many opportunities to collaborate. The role seeks an engineer with industry experience and strong communication, listening, and relationship-building skills who can discuss engineering and technology credibly with company leaders and connect them with appropriate faculty. The Director will work with the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, department chairs, center and institute directors, UF Advancement, UF Innovate, and the Division of Sponsored Programs to develop research relationships with companies in Florida and nationally, and convert them into sponsored research, affiliate memberships, and center partnerships. The position is time-limited.

Requirements

A master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience in corporate relations, business development, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and five years of experience in corporate relations, business development, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or a physical science.
Substantial experience in industrial research and development, technology development, corporate university relations, or technical business development.
Demonstrated success developing research or technology partnerships between companies and universities or national laboratories.
Familiarity with sponsored research agreements, intellectual property, and export control basics.
An existing network among technology companies, preferably in Florida.
Excellent presentation and listening skills, with the ability to work comfortably with company executives and faculty.
Experience working with interdisciplinary university research teams.
Understanding of how companies fund and evaluate university research.
Willingness to travel within Florida regularly.

Responsibilities

Identify and approach companies whose research and development interests match HWCOE strengths, in Florida and nationally.
Conduct initial meetings, capability presentations, and company site visits, and bring the appropriate faculty member into the conversation.
Serve as the College’s primary point of contact for companies interested in research collaboration and route inquiries to the appropriate faculty member.
Partner with UF Advancement and other University units on company relationships involving research collaboration.
Maintain a list of target companies matched to College strengths and faculty contacts.
Organize industry events that bring companies to campus.
Help shape sponsored research agreements, master research agreements, affiliate and consortium memberships, and center partnerships, working with the Division of Sponsored Programs, UF Innovate, the Office of Research, and UF Advancement.
Track each relationship from first contact to executed agreement and keep it moving.
Coordinate with UF Advancement so that corporate philanthropy and sponsored research are pursued together.
Support the College’s institutes and centers in developing industry partnerships and industry participation in center proposals.
Prepare faculty for company meetings and advise them on how companies fund and evaluate university research.
Help develop and maintain materials describing the College’s research strengths and facilities for industry audiences.
Support the industry members of the College’s advisory boards.
Maintain records of industry contacts, meetings, and agreements to support planning and assessment.
Report regularly to the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives on the industry partnership pipeline.
Develop an annual industry engagement plan informed by peer institutions and industry trends.