Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

As one of 34 U.S. public research institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), our goal at CU Boulder is to directly benefit the world through collaborative research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Our faculty, staff and students work with the broader community to establish unique connections that have lasting outcomes—both across Colorado and around the world. CU Boulder aspires to be the top university for innovation.

Industry Research Partnerships drives CU Boulder’s collaboration with the private sector. Our work is exciting, fast-paced, and multidisciplinary, bringing together the domains of business and science. We bridge world-class university research to the needs of industry partners.

Core values that drive our team include:

• Innovator first
• Disruptive innovation
• Leadership: unconditional positive regard and thinking beyond the Innovation & Partnership Team
• Simplicity

The University of Colorado Boulder is situated in one of the most innovative communities in the country. Boulder has been ranked by Forbes as the best city in America in which to start a business, and as the top city in America by Bloomberg’s Brain Concentration Index. 

Industry Relationship Management & Development:

• Identify, develop and foster relationships with a portfolio of key companies in the industry segments covered.
• Serve as the lead contact with key company partnerships that have significant research activity, and internally coordinate across multiple university units.
• Represent CU Boulder at events including conferences, tradeshows, and showcases.
• Attend relevant industry sector workforce development events to understand industry skill building needs and identify potential partnerships.
• Partner with external economic development groups, industry associations, and other relevant organizations.
• Track and document industry relationships and projects, measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of industry partnerships and providing recommendations for improvement.
• Together with team members, create and support program(s) that provide exclusive partnering benefits to participating companies and faculty.
• Contribute to strategic plan(s) to expand industry partnerships and collaborations in key areas of research.
• Identify and pursue new specific research collaboration opportunities with existing and potential industry partners.

Partnering Insights and Business Development:

• Support the university’s Industry Partnership Executives in identifying candidate partner companies.
• Understand company R&D and business needs through direct engagement, using this info help CU Boulder faculty/staff create target research proposals and initiatives.
• Host and run events and discussions that connect CU Boulder faculty to industry partners.
• Match industry needs to the university’s research expertise and capabilities.
• Find connections between the university’s IP portfolio and aligned industry needs.
• Provide routine updates to Faculty and Leadership on general business intelligence and challenges/opportunities specific identified sector(s).

Faculty Engagement & Support:

• Build strong, long-term relationships with CU Boulder faculty.
• Help to guide and equip CU faculty with practices for engaging with industry partners.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of research expertise, assets, and capabilities available at CU Boulder for the relevant industry segment(s) covered in portfolio.
• Support and advise faculty on research proposal submissions to industry partners.
• Identify and address faculty concerns and barriers to engaging with industry partners, where applicable.

Internal Coordination & Liaison:

• Collaborate with internal units to coordinate industry partnerships across the campus.
• Liaise with CU Boulder’s Office of Contracts and Grants to ensure efficient negotiation and delivery for industry sponsored research agreements.
• Liaise with Industry & Foundation Relations, Career Services, and other departments for company engagement beyond research, such as creative workforce development initiatives, student internships and hiring, and corporate philanthropy.
• Liaise with Venture Partners at CU Boulder for technology development, licensing, and startup collaboration opportunities.
• Identify and address internal barriers and challenges to industry partnerships and collaborations.
• Track and report on industry partnerships and activities and outcomes across the university.
• Participate in university-wide initiatives and committees to promote industry partnerships and collaborations, such as select economic development and innovation initiatives.

• The salary range for this position is $105,000 - $121,000 per year.
• Additional Compensation Details: Relocation assistance is available within department guidelines.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; substantial relevant experience may substitute for the degree.
• 3 years of professional experience fostering and managing collaborative research initiatives in advanced energy, sustainability and/or adjacent areas; background could include corporate R&D or innovation group, a university’s technology transfer or industry partnership office, a government lab, or a similar role focused on bridging the gap between discovery and application.
• 3 years of professional experience working in the advanced energy and/or sustainability industry (private sector).

• Collaborative and relational style that builds strong professional relationships.
• Track record of driving deals to close.
• A partnership mentality and ability to discover partner needs.
• Demonstrated capacity for senior-level communications; poise, tact, and responsiveness with senior VIP industry partners, faculty, and university leadership.
• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, racial, political, and other differences.

• Master's degree or higher in science, engineering, business, or law.
• 6 years of professional experience fostering and managing collaborative research initiatives in advanced energy, sustainability and/or adjacent areas; background could include corporate R&D or innovation group, a university’s technology transfer or industry partnership office, a government lab, or a similar role focused on bridging the gap between discovery and application.
• 6 years of professional experience working in the advanced energy and/or sustainability industry (private sector).
• 3 years of experience at the interface of industry-university collaboration, on either or both sides.
• Experience negotiating and/or managing industry-sponsored research agreements or university-industry collaborative research agreements.