Corporate Engagement Specialist (Temporary) - Penn Engineering

upenn; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania seeks a temporary Corporate Engagement Specialist for Penn Engineering to serve as the primary contact for corporate partners and to foster connections among companies, faculty, students, and university programs.

The role works closely with the Executive Director for Corporate Engagement to identify, cultivate, and manage relationships that advance research collaboration and talent pipelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, business, technology, or a related field.
• Two to three years of experience in business development, corporate partnerships, industry engagement, technology commercialization, program management, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with corporate, academic, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial stakeholders.
• Experience managing programs, projects, or initiatives in a complex organizational environment.
• Strong customer-facing skills, including opportunity assessment and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience using CRM platforms and tracking engagement activities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an initial point of contact for companies interested in engaging with Penn Engineering.
• Assess corporate interests and facilitate introductions to Penn Engineering faculty, programs, and resources.
• Coordinate and host virtual and in-person meetings, campus visits, and laboratory tours.
• Document meetings and engagement activities, ensuring timely follow-up and communication with stakeholders.
• Support planning and execution of corporate engagement events, workshops, and networking activities.
• Represent Penn Engineering at conferences and external events as appropriate.
• Develop familiarity with Penn Engineering research strengths, centers, programs, and faculty expertise.
• Assist in preparing materials that showcase Penn Engineering capabilities to corporate audiences.
• Support outreach efforts that connect faculty research interests with industry needs and opportunities.
• Coordinate faculty participation in strategic engagement activities, conferences, and partner meetings.
• Maintain accurate records of engagements and partner interactions within CRM systems.
• Develop engagement plans and regular touchpoints for strategic corporate partners.
• Coordinate with entrepreneurship, innovation, alumni relations, and development teams to align outreach efforts.
• Track key metrics and prepare reports for leadership review.
• Support the development and implementation of new corporate engagement initiatives and pilot programs.
• Conduct research and benchmarking to identify emerging opportunities for industry collaboration.
• Assist with strategic projects that advance Penn Engineering's corporate engagement goals.

Skills

Relationship management

CRM platforms

Program management

Event coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, business, technology, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

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 consistently ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers.

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.

Posted Job Title

Corporate Engagement Specialist (Temporary) - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary

The temporary Corporate Engagement Specialist supports Penn Engineering's industry engagement initiatives by serving as a primary point of contact for corporate partners and facilitating meaningful connections between companies, faculty, students, and university programs. Working closely with the Executive Director for Corporate Engagement, this role helps identify, cultivate, and manage relationships that advance research collaboration, talent pipelines, educational partnerships, and strategic engagement opportunities. The position combines relationship management, business development, program coordination, and event execution. The successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills, professional business acumen, and the ability to represent Penn Engineering effectively to external stakeholders. This role requires a proactive, self-directed individual who can manage multiple initiatives, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and operate successfully in a dynamic environment.

Job Description

Corporate Engagement & Partner Relations

• Serve as an initial point of contact for companies interested in engaging with Penn Engineering.


• Assess corporate interests and facilitate introductions to appropriate Penn Engineering faculty, programs, and resources.


• Coordinate and host virtual and in-person meetings, campus visits, and laboratory tours.


• Document meetings and engagement activities, ensuring timely follow-up and communication with stakeholders.


• Support planning and execution of corporate engagement events, workshops, and networking activities.


• Represent Penn Engineering at conferences and external events as appropriate.

Faculty & Research Engagement

• Develop familiarity with Penn Engineering research strengths, centers, programs, and faculty expertise.


• Assist in preparing materials that showcase Penn Engineering capabilities to corporate audiences.


• Support outreach efforts that connect faculty research interests with industry needs and opportunities.


• Coordinate faculty participation in strategic engagement activities, conferences, and partner meetings.

Relationship Management & Operations

• Maintain accurate records of engagements and partner interactions within CRM systems.


• Develop engagement plans and regular touchpoints for strategic corporate partners.


• Coordinate with entrepreneurship, innovation, alumni relations, and development teams to align outreach efforts.


• Track key metrics and prepare reports for leadership review.

Special Projects

• Support the development and implementation of new corporate engagement initiatives and pilot programs.


• Conduct research and benchmarking to identify emerging opportunities for industry collaboration.


• Assist with strategic projects that advance Penn Engineering's corporate engagement goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, business, technology, or a related field and two to three years of experience in business development, corporate partnerships, industry engagement, technology commercialization, program management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with corporate, academic, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial stakeholders.


• Experience managing programs, projects, or initiatives in a complex organizational environment.


• Strong customer-facing skills, including opportunity assessment, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management.


• Experience using CRM platforms and tracking engagement activities.


• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.


• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sou