Dir Strat Research Partnership - Director of Strategic Research Partnerships & Consortiums - 515154

*Pay Grade/Pay Range: *Non Classified - Grade NA
*Department/Organization: *750901 - Assoc VP for Econ & Bus Engmt
*Normal Work Schedule: *Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm
*Job Summary: *The Director of Strategic Research Partnerships & Consortiums is responsible for building relationships with potential stakeholders in order to develop strategic partnerships and consortiums across each of the University's signature research themes, to include Transportation, Water, Life Research and Advanced and In-Space Manufacturing.
*Additional Department Summary: *The University of Alabama (UA) seeks an experienced Director of Strategic Research Partnerships and Consortiums. The scope of this position provides the qualified candidate a unique opportunity to consider a role that facilitates and leads to the creation of transformational partnerships and consortiums that combine outcomes from impactful research conducted by UA faculty, research staff and students with the critical needs of industry in support of community, state and federal priorities. These partnerships will foster innovation in research topics and industry sectors that have been identified through the work of the Alabama Innovation Commission and defined by the EPSCoR Science and Technology Roadmap and promoted by the Alabama Department of Commerce NEXT campaign as critical to the continued growth and competitiveness of our statewide economy. Innovation from these strategic partnerships and consortiums will create technologies that will lead to job creation and growth through existing and new start-up enterprises while enhancing Alabama's ability to attract targeted industries to the state. All of these activities will create more opportunities to recruit and retain students and alumni in the state.

This position clearly aligns with both the Office for Research & Economic Development (ORED) and UA's Five-Year Strategic Plans in that they articulate a vision for its research mission and how it contributes to economic development and growth. This position will be joining at a time of tremendous momentum in UA's research and economic development enterprise. UA external research and service funding continues to surge with a record breaking $171M in FY2021. This represents eight years of consecutive growth and an increase of 131% over that time period. Over the past three fiscal years, the growth rate of UA's research expenditures was first among 14 members of the Southeastern Conference and in the top 10 among 131 of the nation's most robust research universities. Since the start of FY2019, total sponsored awards to UA have increased by more than 72%. Industry sponsored research is also growing as the total number of unique industry sponsors increased 32%, from 38 to 50, over the last three years. Additionally, momentous public private partnerships and consortiums with transformative potential have recently been established, i.e., the Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center which is a partnership between UA, Mercedes Benz US International and Alabama Power Company with support from the State of Alabama Public School and College Authority bonds. The AMP Center will perform cutting edge translational research in the fields of energy, mobility and infrastructure in support of the surging electric vehicle economy.

The vision for this position is to support the creation of similar AMP Center style strategic partnerships and consortiums across each of UA's signature research themes - Transportation, Water, Life Research and Advanced and In-Space Manufacturing by clearly understanding the strategic vision of each UA Research Institute and signature research theme and building strong relationships with industry in order to articulate a compelling value proposition for each. Additionally, in concert with the VP for Research & Economic Development and the AVP for Economic & Business Engagement, this position will work closely with The University of Alabama System in order to align state and federal funding priorities with identified transformational strategic partnerships and consortium opportunities.

Major Responsibilities: Develop a strategy for growing a pipeline of potential strategic partnerships and consortium members in order to meet agreed upon annual targets for funding, projects, and partners. Actively engage potential stakeholders (industry, UA Research Institutes, faculty, state and federal agencies, etc.) in order to facilitate creation of P3 around strategic, transformational themes. Ensure exceptional experience for stakeholders throughout the process (contract execution, onboarding, project definition, program events and activity, engagement with students, prototype/project hand-off, final assessment) and delivery of member benefits and recognition. Secure sponsor funding commitments. Foster strong relationships with potential members of the consortium program. Support the goals of ORED and the Office for Economic & Business Engagement (OEBE) as stated in Theme 5 of the Office for Research & Economic Development Five-Year Strategic Plan: increase total sponsored awards (especially industry funded), increase number of start-up companies from UA technology, support recruitment of industry to Alabama, identify possible sponsored research and/or service projects with industry or other entity, support retention of UA alumni in Alabama, and develop programs that support student participation in research
*Required Department Minimum Qualifications: *Bachelor's degree and at least fifteen (15) years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and ten (10) years of relevant experience; or PhD/EdD and five (5) years of relevant experience. Adaptable, with ability and willingness to work in a leadership role and in an implementation role as part of a high- functioning team. Demonstrated organizational skills sufficient to prioritize, form strategic plans, and execute at a high level. Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, used in situations requiring political acumen, conflict management, and an awareness of cultural differences; demonstrated experience and ability to communicate effectively, including empathetic listening, presentations and public speaking. Ability to persuade and influence people over whom you have no formal authority. Demonstrated commitment to diversity and experience working with individuals from different cultural, ethnic, geographic, and experiential backgrounds. Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills. Able to develop strategies and plans that integrate with organization's mission, priorities and goals and match sponsor interests with institutional priorities, considering viability. Advanced ability to effectively interact with a broad community of faculty, researchers, scientists, industrial partners, program managers, staff, students, and funding agencies. Advanced ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers. Professional demeanor, attention to detail, and ability to act decisively.
*Preferred Qualifications: *Prior demonstrated experience in strategic partnership development. Knowledge of or experience working in academia. Knowledge of alumni relations/development/advancement principles. Technical background, knowledge, and/or interest in emerging technologies aligned with UA Research Institutes and strategic research themes. Ability to understand and articulate academic values, and convey complex academic needs and priorities to potential sponsors accurately, understandably, and persuasively. Prior experience in workforce development and needs of various industries.
*Background Investigation Statement:* Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
*Equal Employment Opportunity:* The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" [Poster](https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf)