Director of Partnerships

Dhahran Techno Valley; Dhahran Compound; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Partnerships will lead strategic relationships for Dhahran Techno Valley, focusing on research centers and collaboration with KFUPM. This senior role guides a team to develop, manage, and measure partnerships that advance innovation, technology transfer, and economic development.

Responsibilities include building a comprehensive partnership strategy, nurturing external relationships, co-developing programs, and monitoring KPIs to demonstrate impact at the organizational level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master's or PhD highly desirable.
• Minimum 10 years in senior business development, partnerships, or external relations.
• Proven track record with universities, research centers, and corporate entities.
• Deep understanding of innovation ecosystems and tech transfer.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to define KPIs, measure performance, and report outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive partnership strategy aligned with DTV's long-term goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure relationships with research institutions, tech centers, and government agencies.
• Lead a team responsible for partnership development, program management, and performance monitoring.
• Co-develop innovative programs, joint research initiatives, and shared facilities.
• Oversee end-to-end partnership programs from ideation to launch.
• Establish KPIs and regular reporting for senior management and leadership.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Leadership

Relationship management

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Program management

Communication

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree desirable

PhD desirable

Tools

CRM systems

MS Excel

Data analytics tools

Job description

Job Summary:

The Director of Partnerships will be a key leader in the development and Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV). This senior-level role is responsible for building, nurturing, and expanding strategic relationships with external partners, with a particular focus on research and technology centers, and for significantly increasing the level of collaboration with KFUPM. The Director will lead a dedicated team to develop, manage, and monitor the performance of these partnerships, ensuring they contribute to the Zone's mission of fostering innovation, research commercialization, and economic development.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Partnerships and Relationship Building:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive partnership strategy aligned with the DTV’s long-term goals.
• Proactively identify, cultivate, and secure new relationships with leading research institutions, technology centers, corporate R&D divisions, and government agencies.
• Serve as the primary liaison for KFUPM, working closely with faculty, researchers, and administration to identify collaboration opportunities, co-create programs, and facilitate technology transfer.

2. Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team responsible for partnership development, program management, and performance monitoring.
• Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and professional development plans for the team.
• Foster a collaborative and results-driven team culture that is focused on exceeding partnership objectives.

3. Program Development and Management:

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to co-develop innovative programs, joint research initiatives, shared labs, and co-located R&D facilities.
• Ensure that all partnership agreements are structured to be mutually beneficial, scalable, and aligned with the Zone's mission.
• Oversee the end-to-end management of partnership programs, from ideation and negotiation to implementation and launch.

4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for all partnerships and collaboration initiatives. These may include metrics such as:
• Number of joint research projects initiated.
• Number of co-authored publications.
• Patents filed or licensed.
• Startups created or supported.
• Investment attracted .
• Student and faculty engagement levels.
• Regularly analyze partnership performance data and prepare reports for senior management and the DTV leadership team.
• Use performance data to inform strategic decisions, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the value of DTV’s stakeholders.

5. Budget and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage the partnerships budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support strategic initiatives.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, grants, and sponsorships to support collaborative projects.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Science, Engineering, Public Policy). A Master's degree or Ph.D. is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior business development, partnerships, or external relations role, preferably within a research, technology, or innovation-focused environment.
• Proven track record of building and managing complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships with universities, research centers, and corporate entities.
• Deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem, including technology commercialization, intellectual property, and academic-industry collaboration.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high-performing team.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to define KPIs, measure performance, and report on outcomes.
• Ability to work strategically and tactically in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.