Executive Director of Industry Partnerships

The Executive Director of Industry Partnerships is a member of the Tulane University Innovation Institute (TUII) team. The Tulane Innovation Institute (TUII) is a transformative university-wide endeavor designed to bring Tulane research as well as the discoveries and breakthroughs of other institutions and individuals from the surrounding community and region to market faster. The Institute will help student, faculty, and community innovators further develop their ideas, launch startups, and attract the industry, investment, and talent that will fuel innovation in the Gulf South and strengthen the area's economy.

The Executive Director of Industry Partnerships will be responsible for identifying, developing, and executing mutually beneficial research partnerships with high level corporate partners and other entities as appropriate. The Executive Director will initially work closely to develop strategies with the Vice President for Research, engineering, physical sciences, medicine, business Deans and their faculty and staff to develop key areas (including patented technologies), research projects and programs into successful partnerships with corporations and other entities. Progressively developing additional strategies until all schools have industry partnerships to elevate Tulane's stature. This person will be a conduit between Tulane University research and industry, developing relationships that lead to industry sponsored research programs that leverage university expertise while solving industry challenges. They will also be responsible for developing strategic research partnership relationships that interface with industry and other federal, state and / or community partners.

Reporting directly to the Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer, the Executive Director will be expected to develop a robust portfolio of new and ongoing corporate partners by engaging appropriate strategies to grow and deepen these relationships in a mutually beneficial manner. They will interact with a broad array of Tulane faculty and staff, organizational units, and key external stakeholders. This individual will be a high-impact collaborator and acutely tuned to making connections that lead to key results as outlined in the TUII strategical plan and the NSF FUEL (Future Use of Energy In Louisiana). They will be expected to work independently initiating contacts with both internal and external partners leading to impact for Tulane University.

The Executive Director is part of the Tulane Innovation Institute's core leadership team. The Executive Director will contribute to the vision, strategy, and outcomes of the Institute's efforts by adding value to the broader community Tulane serves.

POSITION GOALS :

• Increase the number of new strategic corporate partners working with the School of Science Engineering, School of Medicine, and School of Business as defined by a company engaging the university across multiple levels (e.g., sponsored research, license agreements, capstone projects, workforce development, seminars, equipment use and other engagement strategies).
• Foster new and support existing research partnerships by engaging faculty, research staff and centers within schools to interface with industry.
• Hold an in-depth knowledge of faculty research expertise in science & engineering, medicine, and business that promotes mutually beneficial partnerships targeted at increasing industry sponsored research, engagement, licensing and startup activity.
• Develop and manage corporate partners while interfacing with campus units to maximize Tulane offering to the company by both broadening and deepening the relationship.
• Liaison with all NSF FUEL partners to support the mission of the engine to lead energy transition and decarbonization innovation for the state of LA.
• Deep experience in entrepreneurship programming design and implementation.
• Background in fundraising from a variety of grant, private, public, institutional sources.
• Strategic thinking, assessment, and analytical skills : ability to link local business capabilities with market needs and trends to identify opportunities for innovations and collaborations.
• In depth knowledge and experience in regional New Orleans entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a specific focus on underrepresented, disadvantaged, and underinvested in businesses.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies and proven track record with DEIA.
• Demonstrated skills in building positive relationships with senior leaders, managers and employees, and external stakeholders.
• Keen ability to build cross functional and interdisciplinary partnerships and connections with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to express and convey complex ideas.
• Ability to proactively identify potential challenges and make recommendations to solve them.
• Highly self-motivated individual with ability to independently represent TUII and the university at large.
• Keen ability to influence outside authority.
• Bachelor's Degree; Minimum of seven (7) years' experience in entrepreneurship, business / startup consulting, venture capital / private equity, economic development, supplier diversity, community development, corporate engagement and / or equivalent industry experience.
• Graduate Degree (MBA, Masters or PhD in Business, Finance, Organizational Leadership).
• Understanding of higher education industry.
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• High degree of self-motivation, energy, persistence, and follow-through.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• A positive attitude with high standard of personal integrity and professionalism.
• Commitment to advance the cause of higher education and the mission of Tulane University
• Demonstrated capacity to produce results against established industry metrics.