Industry Partner Relationship Manager

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University is seeking an Assistant Director of Industry Partnerships to strengthen connections with leading organizations, designing engagement strategies that deliver value for partners, students, alumni, and the Purdue community.

You will manage a portfolio of corporate relationships, coordinate executive education and talent initiatives, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure a meaningful partner experience and sustained growth across the university.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 4 years of experience in corporate partnerships or external relations.
• Experience presenting concepts to executive-level audiences.
• Experience in higher education or corporate partnerships is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and cultivate a portfolio of corporate partner relationships.
• Support the development and execution of strategic partner engagement initiatives.
• Enhance partner value by connecting organizations with Purdue's talent, research, and opportunities.
• Coordinate and support executive education, experiential learning programs, and industry engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a seamless and impactful partner experience.
• Support alumni engagement to strengthen Purdue's network with industry partners.
• Coordinate industry advisory board activities and facilitate meaningful interactions.
• Execute operational processes and relationship management strategies for growth.

Skills

Partnership management

Executive engagement

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Stakeholder communication

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary

At Purdue University, we believe transformative partnerships create opportunities that shape industries, advance innovation, and prepare future leaders. As the Assistant Director of Industry Partnerships, you will play a key role in strengthening connections between Purdue and leading organizations, helping create collaborative experiences that deliver value for partners, students, alumni, and the broader Purdue community.

Working closely with the Executive Director and the Office of Business Partnerships leadership team, you will help design and execute engagement strategies that foster long-term corporate relationships, enhance partner experiences, and elevate Purdue's external impact. This highly collaborative role combines relationship management, strategic engagement, and operational excellence to support corporate partnership growth and expand opportunities across the university.

What You'll Be Doing

• Manage and cultivate a portfolio of corporate partner relationships, serving as a trusted liaison between Purdue and industry leaders.
• Support the development and execution of strategic partner engagement initiatives that strengthen collaboration and drive mutual success.
• Enhance partner value by connecting organizations with Purdue's world‑class talent, research, and educational opportunities.
• Coordinate and support executive education, experiential learning opportunities, industry engagement programs, and talent attraction initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a seamless and impactful partner experience.
• Support alumni engagement efforts that strengthen connections between industry partners and the Purdue network.
• Coordinate industry advisory board activities and facilitate meaningful interactions that advance organizational goals.
• Execute operational processes and relationship management strategies that contribute to sustainable partnership growth and long‑term success.

About Mitch Daniels School of Business

The Mitch Daniels School of Business aspires to take a top 25 program and transform it into a top 10 program that competes for the best students in the country. The key components of this transformation are:

• Academic Prowess. Daniels School faculty are able to see and steer to what's next, imparting thought leadership to peers in an ever‑growing student body.
• Integration of STEM and Business. Every company today is a technology organization, and business leaders must understand how specific technologies can create competitive advantage.
• Transformational Student Experience. Some of life's most important lessons aren't found in a book or a lecture hall. Active transformational experience will produce critical thinkers who see and tackle the world's largest problems.
• Freedom and Capitalism. Daniels students will learn through transformative texts that free markets have raised living standards tremendously for all people.
• Powered by Business Partnerships. The Daniels School provides opportunities for industry partners and alumni to connect with students and faculty in order to provide solutions to business challenges of today and the future.

What We're Looking For

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• 4 years of experience in corporate partnerships, business development, account management, or external relations
• Previous experience presenting concepts and engaging with executive‑level audiences

Skills needed

• Ability to build and maintain productive long‑term partnerships with corporate stakeholders
• Deep focus on delivering value and cultivating partner satisfaction
• Demonstrated success building and managing strategic external relationships
• Strong ability to follow and improve structured, repeatable engagement processes
• Confident communicator with the ability to present to and influence stakeholders at an operational level regarding policies, practices, and procedures
• Skilled in using data to track performance, identify trends, and recommend improvements
• Ability to work effectively with various internal stakeholders, including faculty and staff, to meet partner needs
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and partner accounts simultaneously

What is helpful

• Master's degree preferred (Business, Higher Education, or related field)
• Experience working in or with higher education, consulting, or client‑facing environments

Additional Information

• To learn more about Purdue's benefits summary
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period

Career Stream

Professional 3

• Pay Band S065
• Job Code #20003788

Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

EOE

Purdue University is an EO/EA employer.