Partnership Developer

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition & Academic Assistance

Job summary

NC State University, Raleigh, invites applications for a Partnership Developer to build and manage strategic relationships with corporate, government, and nonprofit partners. You will connect external partners with university talent, research strengths, and Centennial Campus resources, driving mutually beneficial collaborations and funding opportunities.

Minimum education is a Master’s or a Bachelor’s with 3–5 years of relevant experience; strong communication and stakeholder management are

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated track record in business development, partnership building, or sales
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently

Responsibilities

• Develop, recruit, and steward strategic partnerships with corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations.
• Meet regularly with partners to identify opportunities for collaboration and expand partnership value.
• Align partner goals with NC State’s research strengths, facilities, and student programs

Skills

Business development

Partnership building

Sales

Communication skills

Team player

Education

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree + 3-5 years

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Posting Number:

PG194857EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

Working Title:

Partnership Developer

Anticipated Hiring Range:

Commensurate with Education & Experience

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

Job Location:

Raleigh, NC

Department :

Partnerships

About the Department:

The Division of External Affairs, Partnerships, and Economic Development (EAPED) builds mutually beneficial relationships between NC State University and industry, government, and nonprofit organizations; streamlines access to important resources to help existing and potential partners work with the university; and aligns businesses and other organizations with university talent, research, and other assets to support relocation to or expansion in North Carolina. As a unit of EAPED, the Office of Partnerships manages over 120 partnerships between NC State and industry, government, and nonprofit organizations. Over 70 of these partnerships are based on NC State’s Centennial Campus that allows partners to work alongside NC State faculty, staff, and students. The Office of Partnerships builds and grows long-term, strategic collaborations to provide meaningful and mutually beneficial opportunities to faculty and students by fostering innovation and catalyzing economic growth. 
The Office of Partnerships, a unit within EAPED, actively manages more than 120 partnerships between NC State and industry, government, and non-profit organizations, with 70 of these partnerships based on the Centennial Campus. The Office works to build and grow long-term, strategic collaborations in order to provide meaningful opportunities to faculty and students, foster innovation and spur economic growth.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits:

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

Help build meaningful partnerships that advance NC State University’s research, innovation, and economic development mission. As the Partnership Developer, you will cultivate and grow strategic relationships with corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations, connecting external partners with the University’s world-class faculty, research expertise, and Centennial Campus resources. Through collaboration, relationship management, and strategic engagement, this role creates high-value partnerships that benefit both the University and its partners.
Key Responsibilities
Partnership Development & Relationship Management

• Develop, recruit, and steward strategic partnerships with corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations, serving as the primary point of contact throughout the partnership lifecycle.
• Build long-term relationships by meeting regularly with partners to identify new opportunities for collaboration, strengthen engagement, and expand the value of University partnerships.
• Learn and understand partner goals and align them with NC State’s research strengths, faculty expertise, facilities, student programs, and institutional capabilities.

Strategic Engagement & University Collaboration

• Collaborate with faculty, administrators, research units, and college leadership to identify opportunities that support multidisciplinary partnerships and research collaborations.
• Guide prospective partners through the University’s partnership model, including opportunities related to Centennial Campus and, when appropriate, a real estate presence on campus.
• Represent NC State University and Centennial Campus through presentations, tours, industry events, advisory groups, and meetings with economic development organizations, government leaders, and community stakeholders.

Project Management & Operational Support

• Serve as project manager for large-scale partnership initiatives, coordinating internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
• Maintain accurate records of partner activities, communications, meetings, and project milestones while preparing reports on partnership, prospect, and visitor activity to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop a strong understanding of University engagement processes and guide partners through available resources, tools, and collaboration pathways.

If you area relationship builder who enjoys connecting people, ideas, and opportunities, we encourage you to apply. If you thrive in a collaborative environment, communicate effectively with varied audiences, and are passionate about fostering partnerships that support research, innovation, and economic development, we’d love to have you join the NC State team.

Other Responsibilities:

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department’s operations.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated track record in business development, partnership building, or sales (university experience is a plus)
• Experience identifying common interests and building consensus among disparate groups with varying priorities
• Ability to understand technical information from multiple disciplines and represent that information across a variety of audiences (such as prospects, partners, and visitors)
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Desire to be part of a team environment as well as work individually

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success developing or managing strategic partnerships within a higher education, research, economic development, or innovation environment.
• Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) or relationship tracking systems used to manage partner engagement and activities.
• Knowledge of university research, technology commercialization, corporate engagement, or economic development practices.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):