Description

Reporting to and working in conjunction with the Head of Development, the Executive Director of Industry Engagement is responsible for setting the vision and strategic direction for developing industry partnerships that achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for LSU and industry. The Executive Director will lead holistic engagement efforts including, but not limited to, talent pipeline development, research, and strategic philanthropy. To that end, the Executive Director of Industry Engagement will collaborate with key stakeholders at LSU including leadership in the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• (45%) Build and maintain a portfolio of new and long-term partnerships with industry that advance the mission and stated priorities of LSU. 
• (20%) Partner with academic deans, unit lead, and development staff to architect solutions to industry challenges toward mutually beneficial outcomes.
• (20%) Oversees and directs the activities and performance of OIE staff and its efforts related to industry engagement across the state.
• (5%) In partnership with Director of Economic Development, the Head of Development and the Director of Strategic Engagement, lead the Industry Engagement Council, whose primary mission is to identify, facilitate and maximize relationships with prospective industry partners, with a view toward maximizing value-added benefits across the LSU enterprise.
• (5%) Initiate opportunities for faculty, administrators, and deans to interact with industry prospects and interpret/translate industry interests to university constituencies.
• (5%) Works collaboratively with the communications and donor relations office to support and steward the university’s strategic partners.

Marginal Duties & Responsibilities

• Complete projects/reports as requested
• Serve on committees
• Attend relevant seminars or trainings

Requirements

Required level/type of experience 

• Proven success aligning corporate philanthropic interests with university programs and achievement establishing, securing, and sustaining valuable industry partnerships
• Experience with philanthropic focused databases
• Proficient level in Microsoft Office Suite 
• Experience with successfully communicating with all levels within an organization, from senior management to operational teams

Preferred level/type of experience 

• Experience directing and managing a results-oriented team while maintaining best practices, camaraderie, and shared accountability
• Demonstrated success in corporate fundraising at a major research university

Preferred abilities

• Entrepreneurial instincts, intellectual curiosity, and an ability to work both independently and as a team member
• A team player comfortable with ambiguity as decisions or processes evolve over time and the ability to quickly refine strategies after receiving feedback from stakeholders 
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, and listening)
• The ability to set priorities, manage time, leverage limited resources, and meet deadlines

Required education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university 

Preferred education

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university

Desired Competencies

• Critical Thinking: Practices objective rather than subjective modes of reasoning and action. Maintains perspective when assessing qualitative and quantitative information. Appropriately challenges and questions common beliefs. 
• Relationship Building: Develops, maintains, and strengthens relationships with others outside of the organization.
• Tenacity:  Achieves a desired outcome in the face of setbacks, obstacles, or challenging circumstances.
• Attention to Detail/Accuracy: Focuses on paying attention to all details and aspects of a job or process to avoid substandard outputs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has supervisory responsibilities and is responsible for staff performance management

Work Environment Requirements

• May be required to work extended workdays, evenings, and weekends to meet deadlines
• May be required to travel 10% of the time