Corporate Partnerships Specialist, Materials & Physics (optics, electronics, quantum) (Johns

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 116,600 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Corporate Partnerships Specialist to enhance corporate-sponsored research at Johns Hopkins University. This role involves engaging faculty and industry partners in Materials & Physics, particularly in optics and quantum technologies.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in business development, advanced degrees, and a collaborative mindset to foster partnerships and drive innovation.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in corporate development or related roles.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency required.
• Service-oriented mindset with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with faculty and industry leaders.
• Monitor industry trends and translate intelligence into actionable insights.
• Develop and manage corporate partnership opportunities.

Skills

Business Development

Market and Opportunity Analysis

Stakeholder Engagement

Negotiation

Proposal Development and Writing

Education

PhD or MD in a related field

MS or PhD in Materials & Physics

Job description

Corporate Partnerships Specialist, Materials & Physics (optics, electronics, quantum)

Reporting to the Director of Business Development & Portfolio Management, this role focuses on expanding Johns Hopkins University's corporate‑sponsored research portfolio within Materials & Physics, with an emphasis on optics, electronics, and quantum technologies.

Responsibilities

• Faculty Engagement & Relationship Building
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with faculty, researchers, and leadership across aligned departments and centers.
  • Conduct regular outreach and meetings to understand research priorities and collaboration interests.
  • Act as a visible resource, providing guidance on partnership structures, timelines, and JHTV processes.
  • Identify and cultivate relationships with high‑impact researchers aligned with industry investment priorities.
• Market Intelligence & Opportunity Sourcing
  • Monitor industry trends, competitive landscapes, and corporate R&D priorities in Materials & Physics.
  • Track market signals such as M&A activity, licensing deals, and strategic initiatives by target companies.
  • Translate intelligence into actionable insights for faculty engagement and partnership strategies.
  • Identify and prioritize target companies aligned with JHU’s research strengths.
  • Proactively source industry‑funded collaborations via scientific networks, conferences, and referrals.
• Partnership Development & Deal Shaping
  • Scout faculty work and develop corporate partnership opportunities by matching capabilities to industry needs.
  • Shape sponsor‑ready collaboration concepts, defining value propositions, research scope, deliverables, and timelines.
  • Develop pitch materials, research summaries, and partnership proposals tailored to prospective corporate sponsors.
  • Coordinate introductions and facilitate meetings to advance partnership discussions and ensure readiness for industry engagement.
  • Support deal structuring and contract negotiations, managing faculty expectations and ensuring alignment on terms.
• Pipeline & Portfolio Management
  • Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date records of prospects and active engagements in CRM and pipeline tools.
  • Track progress through the business development lifecycle, ensuring timely follow‑up and momentum.
  • Provide regular pipeline updates to the Director and participate in review meetings.
  • Flag stalled opportunities or risks and initiate proactive problem‑solving.
• Cross‑Functional Coordination & Liaising
  • Serve as the primary liaison between aligned departments and JHTV teams, including Tech Transfer and FastForward.
  • Identify and surface promising intellectual property, licensing opportunities, and startup ideas emerging from research.
  • Coordinate seamless handoffs to Tech Transfer (disclosures/IP/licensing) and FastForward (startup support).
  • Collaborate with other domain‑focused specialists to share best practices and identify cross‑disciplinary opportunities.
  • Partner with Research Administration and central offices to support agreement execution and compliance.
• Information Sharing & Reporting
  • Document lessons learned, successful approaches, and market insights for team knowledge‑sharing.
  • Prepare and deliver portfolio updates, activity reports, and key metrics to JHTV and school leadership.
  • Participate in regular team meetings, pipeline reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD or MD) in a related field.
• Seven (7)+ years of experience in corporate development, business development, external innovation, translational research, R&D strategy, or related roles in industry or academia.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency required due to federal export controls.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience; additional related experience may substitute for education beyond a high‑school diploma, to the extent permitted by JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Materials & Physics (optics, electronics, quantum, synthesis).
• Science and business fluency with ability to engage academic researchers and industry leaders around a value proposition.
• Familiarity with research/innovation translation and commercialization pathways.
• Experience supporting research collaborations in academia, industry, or similar organizations.
• Service‑oriented mindset with strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including oral and written communication.
• Experience working in a matrix organization, managing success while relying on non‑direct resources.
• Capacity to thrive in cross‑functional teams with competing priorities and incomplete information.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Business Development – Advanced
• Commercialization Expertise – Advanced
• Market and Opportunity Analysis – Advanced
• Project Management – Advanced
• Partner Relationship Management – Advanced
• Stakeholder Engagement – Advanced
• Interpersonal Skills General – Advanced
• Negotiation – Advanced
• Proposal Development and Writing – Advanced
• Data Management and Analysis – Advanced

Equal Opportunity Employer

Johns Hopkins University is an equal‑opportunity employer. EEO is the law.

Job Details

Classified Title: Business Development Lead
Role Level: ATP/04/PH
Salary Range: $116,600 – $204,000 per annum (commensurate with experience)
Employment: Full‑time, Hybrid (Krieger School of Arts & Sciences)
Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
FLSA Status: Exempt