Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations

NCCU Public Administration

Durham (NC)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave

Health Benefits

11-12 Paid Holidays

TSERS retirement benefits

Job summary

North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, seeks an Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations to lead partnership strategy and oversight of operations within the Transformative Partnerships & Economic Development division.

The AVC translates strategic priorities into executable partnerships, manages business, finance, and external-engagement activities, and collaborates with campus leaders, industry, foundations, and government entities to advance NCCU’s mission.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education, science, engineering, technology, economic development, organizational leadership, or related field.
Significant progressively responsible professional experience involving business operations, partnership development, higher-education administration, industry engagement, economic development, research administration, corporate relations, or related area.
Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience supervising professional and administrative personnel.
Experience with budgeting, financial administration, resource management, or organizational operations.
Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain productive relationships with external organizations.
Strong organizational, project-management, written communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within a complex organizational environment.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a portfolio of prospective and active partnerships with industry, government, research organizations, economic-development entities, healthcare organizations, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders.
Identify external organizations whose research, workforce, innovation, technology, talent-development, or economic-development needs align with NCCU capabilities.
Conduct targeted outreach and relationship development with prospective partners, particularly throughout Durham, Research Triangle Park, the Triangle region, and North Carolina.
Develop partnership opportunities consistent with priorities established by the VCPED and facilitate the movement of those opportunities from concept to implementation.
Coordinate initial and follow-up meetings between external organizations and NCCU faculty, researchers, institute leadership, and University administrators.
Organize external partner visits, laboratory tours, research presentations, industry roundtables, workshops, and other engagement activities.
Develop opportunities for external partners to engage NCCU through collaborative research, industry-sponsored research, workforce-development initiatives, laboratory and facility utilization, community and economic-development initiatives.
Work with appropriate University offices to facilitate development and routing of memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements, sponsored-research agreements, facility-use arrangements, and other partnership instruments.
Maintain an active partnership-development pipeline documenting prospects, opportunities, responsible parties, status, next actions, anticipated outcomes, and implementation requirements.
Manage ongoing partner relationships at the working and operational levels and identify opportunities to expand successful collaborations.

Skills

Partnership development

Budgeting and financial administration

Project management

Higher education administration

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Leadership

Communication and negotiation

Team supervision

Education

Master’s degree in business/public administration or related field

Doctoral degree (preferred)

Job description

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina. We are recruiting for the Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations. The position is appointed as a Permanent, Full‑Time, 40 hours per week. The salary range is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate’s educational background, relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise. The posting number is 617514.

Position Overview

Be an Eagle – Where Purpose Takes Flight!

Are you ready to make an impact? At NCCU, we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work‑life balance. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement. An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight. Visit NCCU.edu.

Employee Benefits

Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
Community Service Leave
NC State – Health Benefits
NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
11‑12 Paid Holidays
Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Campus Recreation Center Discount
University Bookstore Discount and more.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

North Carolina Central University’s Office of Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development is the central enterprise for advancing research, innovation, strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and economic development.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations (AVC) provides senior administrative, operational, and partnership‑development leadership within NCCU’s Division of Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development. The AVC translates the Vice Chancellor’s strategic priorities into executable partnerships, projects, operational plans, and measurable outcomes, managing the Division’s business, finance, administrative, partnership‑development, external‑engagement, and operational functions. The AVC works closely with institute directors, faculty, University administrative offices, industry representatives, economic‑development entities, foundations, nonprofits, and other stakeholders.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of principles and practices of partnership development, business operations, organizational administration, and project management.
Knowledge of higher education, research administration, industry engagement, economic development, and/or corporate relations.
Knowledge of budgeting, financial administration, resource management, and operational planning.
Knowledge of developing and managing external partnerships, agreements, collaborative initiatives, and stakeholder relationships.
Ability to identify, cultivate, and advance strategic partnerships with industry, government, research organizations, foundations, nonprofits, and other external stakeholders.
Ability to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, projects, timelines, deliverables, and measurable outcomes.
Ability to manage complex, multi‑faced projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to establish effective administrative processes, workflows, operating procedures, and accountability mechanisms.
Ability to analyze operational and partnership data, identify trends and opportunities, and make recommendations.
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with university leaders, faculty, researchers, industry representatives, government entities, and community and economic‑development organizations.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship‑management skills.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, deadlines, and competing demands effectively.
Ability to communicate complex research, technical, operational, and partnership concepts to diverse audiences.
Ability to work collaboratively and exercise sound judgment in a complex, multi‑unit organizational environment.
Ability to provide effective leadership, supervision, coordination, and direction to professional and administrative personnel.
Ability to identify operational challenges, develop solutions, and implement process improvements.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and demonstrate professionalism when working with sensitive institutional, financial, partnership, and organizational matters.
Ability to promote a responsive, collaborative, and service‑oriented culture while advancing the strategic priorities of the Division.

Minimum Education/Experience

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in business administration, public administration, higher education, science, engineering, technology, economic development, organizational leadership, or a related field.
Significant progressively responsible professional experience involving business operations, partnership development, higher‑education administration, industry engagement, economic development, research administration, corporate relations, or a related area.
Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience supervising professional and administrative personnel.
Experience with budgeting, financial administration, resource management, or organizational operations.
Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain productive relationships with external organizations.
Strong organizational, project‑management, written communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within a complex organizational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctoral or other terminal degree.
Ten or more years of progressively responsible professional experience, including leadership experience.
Experience within higher education, research institutions, industry, government, economic development, or technology‑based organizations.
Experience supporting university‑industry partnerships.
Knowledge of biotechnology, biomanufacturing, biomedical research, pharmaceutical sciences, artificial intelligence, data science, healthcare, or related sectors.
Experience supporting industry‑sponsored research or collaborative research agreements.
Experience in budget administration and operational management.
Experience developing workforce‑development partnerships.
Familiarity with the Research Triangle’s industry, research, innovation, and economic‑development ecosystem.

Pre‑Employment Requirements

Complete and submit an electronic application for employment. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application.
Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD‑214 form or those seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NG23A form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with the application during the process of applying to the job posting.
Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks, and education/license verification prior to employment.
North Carolina Central University participates in E‑Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Carolina Central University reaffirms that it has been, and will continue to be, an equal‑opportunity employer. We are committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibiting discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Work Location

Fully On‑site (dedicated office at Duty Station)

Primary Responsibilities And Duties

Develop and maintain a portfolio of prospective and active partnerships with industry, government, research organizations, economic‑development entities, healthcare organizations, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders.
Identify external organizations whose research, workforce, innovation, technology, talent‑development, or economic‑development needs align with NCCU capabilities.
Conduct targeted outreach and relationship development with prospective partners, particularly throughout Durham, Research Triangle Park, the Triangle region, and North Carolina.
Develop partnership opportunities consistent with priorities established by the VCPED and facilitate the movement of those opportunities from concept to implementation.
Coordinate initial and follow‑up meetings between external organizations and NCCU faculty, researchers, institute leadership, and University administrators.
Organize external partner visits, laboratory tours, research presentations, industry roundtables, workshops, and other engagement activities.
Develop opportunities for external partners to engage NCCU through collaborative research, industry‑sponsored research, workforce‑development initiatives, laboratory and facility utilization, community and economic‑development initiatives.
Work with appropriate University offices to facilitate development and routing of memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements, sponsored‑research agreements, facility‑use arrangements, and other partnership instruments.
Maintain an active partnership‑development pipeline documenting prospects, opportunities, responsible parties, status, next actions, anticipated outcomes, and implementation requirements.
Manage ongoing partner relationships at the working and operational levels and identify opportunities to expand successful collaborations.

Function Division Business, Finance, and Administrative Operations

Supervise personnel responsible for business, finance, administrative operations, partnership support, and related services within the Division.
Provide leadership and coordination for budget development, expenditure monitoring, financial forecasting, resource planning, and fiscal reporting.
Work with the Business & Finance Manager and assigned business personnel to ensure timely and accurate administration of Division resources.
Establish consistent business and administrative processes across the Division, where appropriate.
Coordinate administrative support for BRITE, BBRI, IAIER, Research & Technology Transfer, and other initiatives within the VCPED portfolio.
Coordinate procurement, purchasing, travel, contracts, personnel actions, administrative approvals, and related business processes in collaboration with appropriate University offices.
Coordinate resource requirements associated with new partnerships, research initiatives, workforce‑development programs, events, and externally funded projects.
Identify opportunities to streamline administrative processes and improve coordination across the Division.
Establish operating procedures, workflows, timelines, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms for recurring Division functions.
Help ensure compliance with applicable University policies, procedures, and administrative requirements.

Function BRITE, BBRI, IAIER, and Research & Technology Transfer Coordination

Work regularly with the Directors of BRITE, BBRI, IAIER, and Research & Technology Transfer to understand partnership opportunities, operational needs, resource requirements, and implementation challenges.
Help translate the research capabilities, technical expertise, specialized equipment, facilities, programs, and workforce strengths of the institutes into understandable value propositions for external partners.
Connect prospective companies and organizations with appropriate institute directors, faculty researchers, laboratories, technical personnel, and University resources.
Support partnership development associated with BRITE capabilities in areas such as biotechnology, biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical sciences, drug discovery, workforce development, and related life‑sciences fields.
Support partnership development associated with BBRI capabilities in biomedical research, health sciences, translational research, pharmaceutical research, public health, and related areas.
Support partnership development associated with IAIER capabilities in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, responsible AI, emerging technologies, workforce development, and applied AI.
Identify potential interdisciplinary opportunities involving two or more institutes or academic units.
Coordinate the operational and administrative requirements associated with cross‑institute initiatives.
Facilitate opportunities for companies, startups, and other external organizations to access NCCU research facilities, laboratories, specialized equipment, technical expertise, and research capabilities.

Function Division Operations and Project Management

Translate decisions and priorities of the Vice Chancellor into implementation plans, timelines, responsibilities, and measurable deliverables.
Coordinate major Division projects involving multiple institutes, administrative units, faculty groups, or external organizations.
Establish project‑management processes for major partnership and operational initiatives.
Monitor deadlines, milestones, deliverables, risks, and dependencies.
Coordinate implementation meetings involving appropriate internal and external stakeholders.
Track agreements and partnership initiatives moving through University administrative processes.
Coordinate Division‑wide meetings, operational reviews, and project‑status discussions as directed by the Vice Chancellor.
Ensure that commitments made to external partners are communicated internally and appropriately tracked.
Promote a responsive and service‑oriented culture within the Division.
Develop standard operating procedures for recurring partnership‑development, administrative, and operational activities.
Coordinate major events, forums, industry‑engagement activities, and special initiatives assigned to the Division.

Function Performance Measurement, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

Develop and maintain operational and partnership dashboards and monitor key measures.
Analyze partnership and operational data to identify emerging issues, opportunities, and areas requiring improvement.
Provide recommendations regarding resource requirements, process improvements, partnership opportunities, and operational priorities.
Maintain appropriate records of significant Division partnership and operational activities.

Closing Date

Open until filled. No specific closing date.

Required Documents