Manager, Partnerships and Business Development

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nucleus Institute at the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is seeking a proactive Manager, Partnerships and Business Development to identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities. You will expand our network of stakeholders, manage partnership pipelines, and help drive initiatives that deliver measurable value while advancing our mission.

Collaborating across teams, you will represent the organization with professionalism, support fundraising for Convergence Hall, and help

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or equivalent in Business Development, Entrepreneurship, or related field.
• 6 years' experience in business development is required, preferably in startup ecosystem or related field.

Responsibilities

• Identify, research, and develop new partnership opportunities that align with goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, investors, government agencies, universities, and industry groups.
• Manage partnership pipelines and CRM systems to track opportunities.
• Support fundraising efforts for Convergence Hall and other Nucleus programs.
• Generate and qualify new business opportunities through reach, events, referrals, and market research.
• Prepare partnership proposals, presentations, and sponsorship packages.
• Represent the organization at conferences and networking events.
• Coordinate with marketing to support partner engagement and activation.
• Track partnership performance and report on ROI.

Skills

Relationship-building

Business development

Partnership management

Networking

CRM systems

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's in Business Development or related field

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Manager, Partnerships and Business Development

Job Summary

The Nucleus Institute at the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is seeking a proactive relationship-builder and strategic thinker to serve as our Manager, Partnerships and Business Development. In this role, you will identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities, expand our network of stakeholders, and drive initiatives that support organizational growth and impact. The ideal candidate will be skilled at developing meaningful relationships, generating new business opportunities, managing partnership pipelines, and representing the organization with professionalism and enthusiasm. Working collaboratively across teams, you will help create and execute partnerships that deliver measurable value while advancing our mission and strategic objectives.

The Nucleus Institute team is ardently engaged in steering a multitude of pioneering projects within the state, each designed to harness the innovative capital of Utah's academic and economic vitality. Notably, the team is at the forefront of the Innovation District at The Point project, designing and activating Convergence Hall, an innovation campus. This ambitious project is a nexus where academia, industry leaders, and policy makers converge to foster a symbiotic ecosystem, encouraging the exchange of ideas and nurturing of innovation. The environment is meticulously designed to spur research and development, start‑up incubation, and collaborative opportunities that can translate academic research into tangible societal benefits.

Furthermore, the team is instrumental in managing the $40 million Nucleus Fund. This significant investment underscores Utah's commitment to economic progression by methodically commercializing a range of breakthrough technologies. These are discoveries, advancements, or developments that are connected within Utah's higher education institutions. By providing essential capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance, the fund aims to shepherd these innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace, thereby solidifying Utah's reputation as a crucible of innovation.

Additionally, the Nucleus Institute supports a variety of programs and events across the Utah deep‑tech ecosystem including NucleusGrow, Utah Policy Innovation Lab, ProLab, MarketEdge, and Global. All of these programs support the commercialization and innovation of deep‑tech research and development.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, research, and develop new partnership opportunities that align with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
• Experience managing and growing a membership–based revenue model.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, investors, government agencies, universities, industry associations, family offices, and other key stakeholders.
• Support fundraising efforts for Convergence Hall and other Nucleus programs.
• Generate and qualify new business opportunities throughout reach, networking, events, referrals, and market research.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of prospective partners and business opportunities using our CRM system and other tracking tools.
• Prepare partnership proposals, presentations, sponsorship packages, and business development materials.
• Represent the organization at conferences, industry events, networking functions, and community engagements.Conduct market analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive activity, and potential growth opportunities.
• Coordinate with marketing and communications teams to support partner engagement, visibility, and activation efforts.
• Track partnership performance and provide regular reporting on key metrics, outcomes, and return on investment.
• Maintain strong knowledge of the organization's programs, services, and strategic priorities to effectively communicate value propositions.
• Develop strategic account plans for high‑priority partners and stakeholders.
• Manage partner onboarding and ensure successful execution of partnership commitments.

Disclaimer: USHE has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and primary duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and USHE reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform as USHE may deem appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's or equivalent experience in Business Development, Entrepreneurship, or related field (1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience)
• 6 years' experience in business development is required, preferably within the startup ecosystem or closely related field.

Skills & Abilities

• Proven track record in business development, membership‑driven revenue generation, and partnerships.
• Strong connections within the Utah business community, especially with startups, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurial networks.
• Excellent networking, communication, and interpersonal skills, capable of building and maintaining relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Commitment to fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship within the education sector.