Strategic Partnerships Manager

Simon Fraser University; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 99,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Metro Vancouver is seeking a Strategic Partnerships Manager. The role involves expanding academic-industry partnerships in the AI and Quantum Computing sectors. Candidates should have a Master's degree and at least 5 years of strategic account management experience, along with strong interpersonal and communication skills. The position supports innovation, revenue generation, and a collaborative environment. This role offers hybrid work options and professional development funds.

Benefits

7% pay in lieu of benefits

Employer paid health & dental plans

Professional development funds

Hybrid-work program

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in strategic account management or business development.
• Knowledge of AI and Quantum Computing technology sectors.
• Experience in a corporate or university environment.

Responsibilities

• Support growth of academic-industry partnerships.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of relationships.
• Identify funding opportunities and develop strategies.

Skills

Strategic account management

Partnership building

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Master's degree in Business or related discipline

Job description

Union / Affiliation : Administrative and Professional Staff (APSA)

Pay range : $99,865 to $119,148 annually SFU Department Descr : SFU's Partnerships Hub

Position Grade : 12

of openings : 1

Biweekly Hours : 72

Who We Are

Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

Based on SFU’s Burnaby Campus, SFU’s Partnerships Hub (SPH) champions the growth of key university partnerships and delivers on the strategic opportunities they represent. Working in close collaboration with the Vice-President, Research and Innovation and the Vice-President Advancement and Alumni Engagement portfolios, SPH plays a key role in positioning SFU as an active and responsive partner to industry, government, and community organizations. Our goal is to create value with and for SFU’s external and internal partners.

About the Role

The Strategic Partnerships Manager supports SFU’s position as a partner of choice and promotes research opportunities to expand academic-industry partnerships and by supporting translational research opportunities and innovation in the AI and Quantum Computing sector. This role acts as the “face of SFU” and is responsible for establishing and managing a diverse portfolio of relationships leading to client-centric, strategic account management that fosters new and grows existing partnerships, enables innovation, facilitates revenue generation and increases research income. The Partnerships Manager works closely with researchers to support a wide variety of needs in the interest of articulating an AI and Quantum Computing vision, forging connections internally and externally to the university to develop and commercialize opportunities.

You bring five-years of experience in strategic account management and the development of collaborative partnerships in a diverse corporate environment. You prioritize and value relationships, partnership-building and revenue generation. You possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong track-record of collaboration and bringing people together for successful outcomes. You are entrepreneurial by nature and able to identify an opportunity and successfully develop a strategy to secure external funding, identifying and recommending innovative ways or solutions that meet their partner’s needs while aligned to SFU’s expertise or capacities. You are results-oriented, and a resourceful problem-solver who is able to quickly adapt to rapidly evolving and ambiguous situations. You can effectively manage your time and are able to prioritize and manage multiple accounts.

Qualifications

Master's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related discipline and five years of relevant experience in strategic account management, business development, government relations or marketing, and experience within a corporate or university environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of AI and Quantum Computing technology sector, academic and industry innovation cycles.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening, communication (oral, written, presentation), and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to work with various external clients with competing interests, and with divergent groups to bring about positive change, facilitate consensus and revenue generation opportunities.
• Proven ability to successfully pitch new business and increase revenue by generating leads.
• Ability to negotiate agreements in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.

What We Offer

At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer temporary employees who belong in the Administrative & Professional Staff Association (APSA) :

An additional 7% pay in lieu of benefits & 8% vacation pay

Employer paid extended health & dental plans

Professional development funds (minimum contract period of 1 year)

Hybrid-work program for eligible positions

Additional Information

The assignment end date is 1 year from start date.