Business Development Manager - Computational Social Science Lab - Penn Engineering

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 66,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition assistance for employees and family

Retirement plans

Substantial paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work hours

Job summary

A prestigious Ivy League institution is looking for a Business Development Manager for the Computational Social Science Lab. This role involves driving the commercialization of groundbreaking research, developing partnerships across sectors, and strategic planning for market adoption. The ideal candidate should have 5-7 years of experience in business development and excellent communication skills. A Bachelor's degree is required, Master's preferred. The salary range is competitive, between $66,000 and $105,000 annually, with numerous benefits.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in business development, partnerships, or a related field.
• Experience developing strategic plans and managing complex relationships.
• Familiarity with licensing agreements and sponsored research contracts preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive commercialization of CSSLab research efforts.
• Implement strategic business development plans.
• Negotiate and complete licensing agreements.

Skills

Business development

Technology commercialization

Strong communication skills

Market research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree (MBA preferred)

Job description

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world‑renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly‑regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Business Development Manager – Computational Social Science Lab – Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Manager Research Project B

Job Description Summary

The Computational Social Science Lab (CSSLab) at the University of Pennsylvania is a pioneering interdisciplinary research lab dedicated to applying computational methods and large‑scale data to some of the most pressing challenges facing society. Founded and led by Duncan Watts, Stevens University Professor and Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor, the CSSLab is producing research and building tools with the potential to reshape how the public, policymakers, and institutions understand and engage with information, each other, and their communities.

The Business Development Manager will play a central role in bringing the CSSLab’s groundbreaking research into the world, translating academic innovation into real‑world impact through strategic commercialization and partnership development. This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting‑edge computational social science, artificial intelligence, and public benefit, helping to ensure that transformative tools reach the organizations, institutions, and communities that need them most.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF KEY PROJECTS IN THE LAB’S COMMERCIALIZATION PORTFOLIO

• Media Bias Detector – an AI system that tracks and classifies top news articles in near real‑time, analyzing tone, partisan lean, topic selection, and fact usage.
• Deliberation Lab – an open‑science platform for large‑scale experiments in small‑group deliberation, aiming to map what makes dialogue succeed or fail across diverse populations.
• NOMAD – an infrastructure project that democratizes access to large‑scale GPS mobility data and analytical tools for human mobility science and epidemiology.

Job Responsibilities

The Business Development Manager (BDM) is responsible for driving the commercialization and market adoption of the CSSLab research efforts. The BDM develops and implements strategic business development plans in alignment with broader CSSLab and University goals, identifying and cultivating relationships with current and prospective partners across industry, policy, and research sectors. The role includes go‑to‑market strategy development, pitch material creation, proposal and RFP responses, and outreach activities in collaboration with university communications teams.

• Strategic planning: design, review, and execute business development plans; maintain a pipeline and tracking system to monitor opportunities, forecast targets, and measure progress; adjust strategies as needed.
• Partnership cultivation: identify core partnership opportunities; negotiate and complete licensing agreements, sponsored research contracts, and data access collaborations; manage stakeholder contact databases and mailing lists.
• Go‑to‑market leadership: build and maintain target lists; conduct market and competitive research to identify high‑value use cases; produce pitch materials, proposals, and RFP responses.
• Public representation: lead efforts to raise awareness of Lab research; represent the lab at conferences, events, and meetings; serve as a market‑facing ambassador.
• Internal coordination: manage stakeholder development, communication, and alignment across university offices to advance business development pursuits.

The Manager Research Project C operates with greater independence, executing all of the above duties autonomously.

Qualifications

Manager Research Project B – Bachelor's degree and 5‑7 years of experience in business development, technology commercialization, partnerships, or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must demonstrate experience developing strategic plans, managing complex, multi‑stakeholder relationships, and producing pitch materials and proposals. Strong written and verbal communication skills required. Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects. Experience in academic or mission‑driven organizations is a plus. Familiarity with licensing agreements, sponsored research contracts, or data access partnerships preferred. Knowledge of the media, policy, or technology sectors is desirable.

Manager Research Project C – Master’s degree (MBA preferred) and 5‑7 years of experience in business development, technology commercialization, partnerships, or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. In addition to all B qualifications, must be self‑directed and capable of performing all duties with high autonomy.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range

$66,000.00 – $105,000.00 Annual Rate

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits (summarized)

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts – comprehensive insurance and FSA options.
• Tuition – tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and children; additional support at other institutions.
• Retirement – Basic, Matching, and Supplemental plans via TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work – substantial paid time off for rest, personal affairs, and recovery.
• Long‑Term Care Insurance – partnership with Genworth for employee and eligible family members.
• Work‑life Resources – programs supporting health, family, and balance.
• Professional Development – resources for personal and professional growth.
• University Resources – access to libraries, athletics, cultural events, and more at no cost.
• Discounts – free or discounted admission to arts, museums, transportation, and $ various consumer goods.
• Flexible Work Hours – options for non‑traditional schedules and locations.
• Home Ownership Services – forgivable loan for eligible employees purchasing a home.
• Adoption Assistance – reimbursement for qualified expenses up to two adoptions.

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