Associate Director, Industry and Research Partnerships

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's School of Computing seeks an Associate Director, Industry & Research Relations to build and manage industry partnerships across AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

You will lead the AI Project Lab, design programs, coordinate with sponsors and UT stakeholders, and scale engagement with a data-driven approach. This role offers a 40-hour work week at UT Main Campus with full benefits and opportunities to influence research collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering.
• 5+ years in business development or industry relations with a track record of growing/retaining partners.
• Design, launch, and scale standardized programs, processes, or offerings (e.g., membership programs, sponsorship packages, or playbooks).
• Hands-on experience managing CRMs and developing reports or dashboards in BI tools (Salesforce, Power BI, Tableau) to guide decisions.
• Systems-oriented program management with improving workflows and turning recurring needs into consistent processes.
• Proactive and highly responsive working style, with a record of identifying obstacles early, resolving them persistently, and responding promptly to partners, faculty, and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent project and program management skills, including managing multiple stakeholders and annual cycles.
• Strong written, presentation, and communication skills for both technical and executive audiences.
• Negotiation and persuasion skills, and a collaborative, team-oriented style.
• Ability to think strategically, prioritize, and work effectively in a complex environment with evolving priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AI Project Lab end to end: design, calendar, and cycle delivery across proposals, team matching, kickoff, execution, and final presentations.
• Coordinate with students, sponsors, and UT stakeholders.
• Renew current sponsors and recruit new ones with a clear value proposition and repeatable process.
• Recruit, onboard, and manage Technical Liaisons for project scoping, feasibility, and data readiness.
• Coordinate sponsor terms with contracting and guide participation through data access and IP terms.
• Refine the sponsorship model using cohort data and feedback to scale programs.
• Maintain program materials, the website, and presentations; develop analytics for engagement.
• Build dashboards and reports translating data into actionable recommendations for SoC leadership.
• Host campus visits for corporate and foundation partners and maintain engagement across UT schools.

Skills

Industry relations

Program management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Tools

Salesforce

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin's School of Computing seeks an Associate Director, Industry & Research Relations to build and manage industry partnerships across AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

You will lead the AI Project Lab, design programs, coordinate with sponsors and UT stakeholders, and scale engagement with a data-driven approach. This role offers a 40-hour work week at UT Main Campus with full benefits and opportunities to influence research collaboration.