Business Development and Partnerships Director

The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota; Austin (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Hormel Institute in Austin, Minnesota, invites a Director of Business Development and Partnerships to lead external engagement and build collaborations with industry, academia, and public sector partners.

You will shape partnership models, coordinate internal and external stakeholders, and guide initiatives from concept to implementation, while positioning Institute capabilities for sustainable revenue and regional impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in external engagement and partnership development is preferred.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders and project teams.
• Strong business acumen and strategic planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of an external partnership pipeline across industry, academia, and public sector partners.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with prospective and active partners as the primary contact for external engagement.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for external users, collaborators, and tenants aligned with Institute capabilities.

Job description

About The Job Organization Overview The Hormel Institute is a biomedical research institute within the University of Minnesota's Research and Innovation Office (RIO), which advances the University's research, innovation, and economic development mission. The Institute advances discoveries that improve human health through research, education, and community engagement. Located in Austin, Minnesota, the Institute brings together internationally recognized faculty, advanced research infrastructure, and strategic partnerships to accelerate scientific discovery, workforce development, and innovation.

Position And Department Overview The Business Development and Partnerships Director leads external engagement and partnership development to connect The Hormel Institute's research expertise and innovation capabilities with new opportunities for collaboration, utilization, and revenue. The role identifies, cultivates, and secures opportunities with industry, academic, and public sector partners.

The position guides opportunities from initial concept through early development by building partnership models, bringing together the right internal and external stakeholders, and helping promising ideas move toward implementation. As initiatives become established, the Director helps transition ongoing operations to designated Institute teams, allowing the role to maintain focus on new and emerging opportunities.

In addition to advancing current initiatives, the Director evaluates new concepts for feasibility, alignment with institutional priorities, partnership potential, and long-term sustainability, with particular emphasis on opportunities that strengthen external engagement and institutional growth. The Director leads feasibility analysis and business planning for emerging initiatives in collaboration with Institute leadership, Finance, faculty leaders, and external partners. Working closely with faculty, Institute leadership, University units, and external partners, the Director serves as a connector and translator between the academic research environment and external partners, helping turn shared interests and opportunities into viable collaborations and programs.

This position reports to the Chief of Staff and serves as a member of The Hormel Institute Executive Leadership Team. The role works collaboratively with Institute leadership, the University of Minnesota Research and Innovation Office (RIO), faculty initiative leads, and strategic external partners to advance shared institutional and regional priorities. The role does not directly supervise staff but leads through collaboration across internal teams and external stakeholders to move opportunities forward. The employer retains the right to change or

assign other duties to this position as needed.

Focus Of Job Responsibilities

The Director will step into an active portfolio of high-priority initiatives while also identifying and developing new opportunities over time. The current portfolio includes:

Viral Manufacturing and Translational Consortium (VMTC)

Leads development of partnership, feasibility, and business planning activities necessary to establish a sustainable public-private consortium focused on advancing clinical-grade viral vector production. Responsibilities include coordinating feasibility assessments, supporting development of financial and business models in collaboration with Institute leadership and the Rare Disease Council, cultivating consortium participation, and advancing partnership frameworks that position VMTC for long-term sustainability and investment.

Minnesota Bioimaging Center (MBiC) and Riverland Community College Partnership

Supports external engagement and partnership development to advance academic and workforce training pathways in advanced microscopy. This includes coordinating with Riverland Community College and exploring alignment with the University of Minnesota Rochester, while driving strategies to expand external utilization of MBiC capabilities through client development, partnerships, and increased visibility.

Industry Co-Location and Small Business Partnership Model

Leads identification, development, and onboarding of external small business partners into Institute laboratory space to enhance research collaboration, optimize facility utilization, and generate new revenue streams. This includes establishing partnership models, coordinating initial agreements, and evaluating opportunities for expansion of the model to additional partners.

The portfolio is expected to evolve over time based on institutional priorities, with a continued focus on expanding external partnerships, increasing utilization of Institute capabilities, and supporting revenue diversification.

External Engagement and Business Development - 50%

• Collaborate with UMN's Corporate Engagement Center to lead development of an external partnership pipeline across industry, academic, and public sector partners to expand utilization and revenue opportunities
• Cultivate and manage relationships with prospective and active partners, serving as a primary point of contact for external engagement across assigned initiatives
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for external users, collaborators, and tenants aligned with Institute capabilities and priorities
• Partner with Communications to support positioning and visibility of Institute capabilities to external audiences
• Coordinate briefing materials and support leadership engagement with key external stakeholders
• Advance partnership opportunities with Institute leadership and University partners, including opportunities for funding, collaboration, and program participation
• Align with state and regional partners to support workforce, economic development, and research infrastructure initiatives

Partnership Development and Initiative Structuring - 30%

• Develop and structure partnership frameworks, participation models, and early-stage business approaches for initiatives within the portfolio
• Bring together faculty, leadership, and University units to support partnership development and prepare an initiative for implementation
• Support early-stage planning including timelines, milestones, and implementation pathways for new initiatives
• Draft and refine concept documents, partnership materials, and program frameworks in collaboration with initiative leadership
• Evaluate new opportunities for feasibility, alignment, partnership potential, and long-term sustainability
• Facilitate cross institutional discussions to align goals, roles, and expectations across partners
• Support transition of initiatives to appropriate operational owners following initial launch and structuring

Data Analysis, Reporting, and Financial Planning Support - 15%

• Develop and refine financial and business models to evaluate the feasibility, sustainability, and growth potential of strategic initiatives, particularly during early-stage development.
• Prepare analyses to inform leadership decision making related to partnership opportunities, program sustainability, revenue generation, and resource utilization.
• Develop scenario analyses, participation models, and financial projections to support investment decisions and business planning.
• Track partnership pipeline, program utilization, revenue metrics, and measurable outcomes to inform continuous improvements.

Professional Development and Continuing Education - 5%

• Maintain current knowledge of best practices in research commercialization, public private partnerships, and higher education program administration
• Engage in professional development activities within and outside the University system.

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance will be offered to the selected candidate in accordance with University of Minnesota policy and the terms outlined in the candidate's offer letter. To qualify for the relocation allowance, the selected candidate must establish a primary residence in Minnesota and within 50 miles of The Hormel Institute's primary work location in Austin, Minnesota. The allowance will be paid as a taxable lump sum after the employee begins employment.

Flexible Work Profile and Travel

Flexible Work Profile One Office/Lab-Based - is expected to work primarily on-site in the office/lab. The primary work location for this position is The Hormel Institute in Austin, Minnesota. Only occasionally and inconsistently working remotely. Your office will be located at The Hormel Institute. The Hormel Institute management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time. A flexible or hybrid work arrangement may be considered based on business needs; however, the employee must maintain a regular on-site presence. There will be flexibility for work to be conducted from other locations when business needs warrant.

Frequent travel is required to develop and maintain relationships with external partners, represent the Institute at meetings and events, and support business development activities. Travel may include regional, statewide, and national destinations and is expected to constitute approximately 10-20% of the position’s work time. Some travel may require overnight stays or work outside normal business hours.