Executive Director of Corporate Research Partnerships

AUTM; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard SEAS is seeking an Executive Director of Corporate Research Partnerships to lead the School's external engagement with industry and research funders. The role focuses on building a robust pipeline of multi-year, multi-million-dollar alliances and expanding industry-sponsored research funding.

The Executive Director will shape corporate partnership strategy, manage relationships with CTOs and senior researchers, and collaborate with university offices to advance funded collaborations and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering, computer science, physical or life sciences, or related field.
• Progressive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or research alliances in technical/scientific orgs: 15 yrs w/ bachelor's, 12 w/ master's, 10 w/ PhD.
• Proven success originating and closing significant research partnerships with industry, universities, or government.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages a prioritized portfolio of industry partnerships aligned to SEAS strengths.
• Originates and closes multi-year research funding opportunities from first contact through collaborations.
• Leads collaboration with SEAS faculty and senior industry leaders to convert opportunities into funded alliances.

Skills

Executive leadership

Business development

Strategic partnerships

Industry engagement

R&D sponsorship

Education

Bachelor's or higher in engineering/science

Job description

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences works within and beyond the disciplines of engineering and foundational science to address the most pressing issues of our time. SEAS has no departments; its teaching and research are deeply interdisciplinary, and it collaborates widely with academia, industry, government, and public service organizations.

With roots in the Lawrence Scientific School (est. 1847), SEAS today offers programs in applied mathematics, applied physics, bioengineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, energy and environment, engineering sciences, and materials science and mechanical engineering, along with master’s programs in data science, computational science and engineering, design engineering, and an MS/MBA. SEAS is based at the Science and Engineering Complex in Allston and in Cambridge.

Learn more: seas.harvard.edu

Harvard SEAS is hiring its first Executive Director of Corporate Research Partnerships- an entrepreneurial, externally focused business development leader who will serve as the School's primary face to industry.

Reporting to the Dean for Research, the Executive Director works with the Dean for Research and the Dean of SEAS to shape and execute the School's primary face to industry. In the first year, the focus is on building a strong pipeline of prospective partners. Over time, the goal is to convert that pipeline into flagship multi-year, multi-million-dollar alliances and to grow industry-sponsored research funding at SEAS.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Partnership Strategy & Business Development

• Builds and manages a prioritized portfolio of target companies, with engagement plans aligned to SEAS research strengths.
• Originates and closes research funding opportunities, from first contact through multi-year collaborations.
• Cultivates relationships with CTOs, chief scientists, heads of research, and other senior R&D leaders.
• Designs alliance models and concepts that create long-term value for both partner companies and SEAS faculty.
• Advises School leadership on corporate R&D trends, emerging technologies, and investment opportunities.
• Engages philanthropic science foundations where they offer a path to support SEAS research.

Faculty Engagement & Opportunity Development

• Builds relationships with SEAS faculty to understand emerging research and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Translates research into compelling strategic narratives for sponsors, foundations, and donors.
• Convenes multi-investigator, cross-disciplinary teams to pursue major external opportunities.
• Moves early conversations between faculty and partners toward well-defined, funded collaborations.

Leadership & Institutional Collaboration

• Leads and mentors the Program Manager for Industry Partnerships.
• Represents SEAS on the University Corporate Engagement Council.
• Coordinates with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Office of Technology Development, and University and School development offices.

Required

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering, computer science, the physical or life sciences, or a related technical field.
• Progressive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or research alliances within technical or scientific organizations: 15 years with a bachelor's, 12 with a master's, or 10 with a Ph.D.
• Demonstrated success originating and closing significant research partnerships with industry, universities, research organizations, foundations, or government.

Preferred

• Technical fluency and breadth to engage credibly with faculty and senior industry technical leaders.
• A track record of closing partnerships that generated significant funding or collaborative initiatives—not only managing existing relationships or administering sponsored research.
• Executive presence with senior technical leaders.
• Strong business development, relationship-building, negotiation, and influencing skills, with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to translate complex research for sophisticated external audiences.
• Familiarity with sponsored research agreements, intellectual property, and other university-industry collaboration structures.