Executive Director for Corporate Engagement, Penn Engineering

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title
Executive Director for Corporate Engagement, Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title
Director D, Business and Finance, Innovation

Job Description Summary
The Executive Director for Corporate Engagement (ED), Penn Engineering, strengthens the interactions between Penn Engineering and major corporations in the areas of market development. Through partnerships with the private sector, Penn Engineering's vast research knowledge can be leveraged with corporate partners to create, enhance, and further develop new technologies and business opportunities in close alignment with the many interdisciplinary programs and faculty within Penn Engineering and across other Penn Schools at the University through active collaboration. Through a strong understanding of the strengths of Penn Engineering's research programs and expertise and the ability to align those assets with corporations expressing similar interests, the ED will help to implement the market sector business development strategies for Penn Engineering through coordinated efforts via the Penn Center for Innovation's (PCI), as well as the vision of the Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The ED will work with faculty, students, administration, and representatives from industry to advance these mutual research interests and to partner with corporations while helping to foster new relationships across the University and private businesses. The ED will have dual reporting responsibilities to PCI's Managing Director and to the Vice Dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E).

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Work with PCI's Managing Director and Penn Engineering's Vice-Dean of I&E to define and implement a strategic corporate outreach plan for Penn Engineering that will align well with corporate interests. Create a prioritized list of companies to cultivate that maps to the priority areas of Penn, and particularly Penn Engineering. Identify the critical decision makers within these corporate organizations and understand their business priorities. Develop long-term relationships with external corporate decision makers to identify areas where Penn Engineering's portfolio (research, talent, and education) can support companies' short and long-term strategic goals. Build and cultivate relationships across campus and the region to support engagement with corporations.
  
• Oversee the development of a deep understanding of faculty and programmatic research interests at Penn Engineering to facilitate the aforementioned outreach activities and bridge potential areas of interest to the private sector. Key activities to include identifying and organizing internal resources, such as interviewing faculty, cataloguing expertise of faculty interested in working with corporate research groups outside the University, their associated papers, and IP that culminate 'the pitch' on how their activities could potentially bridge into corporate interests. Create a 'database' on research areas of expertise and maintain it. Interact with University faculty, officials, industry partners, vendors, and government representatives to understand and reduce barriers to collaboration.
  
• Work with Penn faculty to develop materials that articulate how and where Penn can support longer-term opportunities for industry engagement that align with Penn's interdisciplinary programs, with a focus on Penn Engineering. Steward the potential partnership opportunities which may include identifying executive education areas, framing of new funded research programs, licensing of Penn IP, creation of research alliances, and/or new company formation. Work closely and collaboratively with the PCI teams responsible for these activities and operate as a trusted business partner. Provide insight and ongoing guidance to PCI around the wants and needs of potential partners and changes that might be considered to streamline negotiations and contract implementation to position Penn Engineering as a preferred industry partner.
  
• Help to design, implement, and advance corporate/university events that foster research interest and partnerships among faculty, students, administration, and representatives from industry. Identify relevant high-profile external events (e.g., JP Morgan Healthcare Conference) where Penn Engineering's presence would be important. Identify relevant grant opportunities, understand, and communicate the application and vetting process.
  
• In consultation with PCI's Managing Director and the Penn Engineering's Vice Dean of I&E, develop key metrics of success and processes to track. Work closely with faculty and corporations to facilitate project success. Establish ongoing factors to monitor collaborations to ensure continued productivity, which can include working to address areas of concern and streamlining administrative areas.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or computer sciences, and 7-10 years of relevant experience, or Master's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or computer sciences, and 5-7 years of relevant experience in a management position, preferably in management consulting, or business development positions in academia or industry, or equivalent combination of education and experience required. PhD and 5-7 years of relevant experience preferred.
  
• Experience in business and relationship development is essential, and a strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is highly desirable.
  
• Extensive business network and ability to navigate C-suite decision makers.
  
• Experience and understanding of university policies and procedures are a plus.
  
• Excellent problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and cooperation skills required.
  

Application Requirement

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.
  

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Provost's Center

Pay Range
$133,000.00 - $200,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
  
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
  

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/School-Eng--Applied-Sciece---107-Towne/Executive-Director-for-Corporate-Engagement--Penn-Engineering_JR00106994









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