Partnership Developer

About the role

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.

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Responsibilities

• Help build meaningful partnerships that advance NC State University’s research, innovation, and economic development mission.
• 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, create high-value partnerships that benefit both the University and its partners.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Occasional opportunities to take on additional duties to build on skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department’s operations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• 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: Demonstrated success developing or managing strategic partnerships within a higher education, research, economic development, or innovation environment.
• Preferred: Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) or relationship tracking systems used to manage partner engagement and activities.
• Preferred: Knowledge of university research, technology commercialization, corporate engagement, or economic development practices.
• Required: Valid NC Driver's License.

Benefits

• 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