Executive Director of Corporate Research Partnerships

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences?

At the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), we work within and beyond the disciplines of engineering and foundational science to address the most pressing issues of our time. Through teaching and collaborative research, SEAS discovers, designs, and creates novel technologies and approaches to societal challenges – in service to the world, the nation, and our community. We collaborate across academic areas at SEAS and the larger university, and with colleagues in academia, industry, government and public service organizations beyond Harvard. By joining SEAS, you will be part of an inclusive community of dedicated problem-solvers who hold themselves – and one another – to the highest academic and professional standards. To learn more about us, please visit https://seas.harvard.edu/.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) seeks an entrepreneurial and externally oriented business development leader to serve as its inaugural Executive Director for Corporate Research Partnerships.

Reporting to the Dean for Research, the Executive Director works in close partnership with the Dean for Research and the Dean of SEAS to develop and execute the School's strategy for corporate research partnerships.

The Executive Director serves as SEAS's principal external representative to industry and the corporate research community. Working closely with School leadership and faculty, the Executive Director will identify, cultivate, and advance transformative research partnerships that accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen interdisciplinary research, and increase external investment in Harvard SEAS. 

This is a highly external-facing leadership role requiring executive presence, technical fluency, strategic judgment, and strong relationship-building skills. In the first year, the Executive Director will be expected to build a strong pipeline of prospective partners and, over time, translate that pipeline into flagship alliances (multi-year, multi-million-dollar) and measurable growth in industry sponsored research funding.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Corporate Partnership Strategy and Business Development:

• Develop and execute SEAS's corporate research partnership strategy, including a prioritized portfolio of high-potential companies and engagement plans aligned with the School's research strengths and faculty interests.
• Originate, develop, and close high-value research funding opportunities from initial engagement through multi-year research collaborations and alliances.
• Build trusted relationships with CTOs, Chief Scientists, Heads of Research, senior R&D executives, and other corporate leaders, representing Harvard SEAS and cultivating new funded research opportunities.
• Develop compelling alliance concepts and models that align corporate priorities with SEAS faculty expertise and create mutual long-term value.
• Advise the Dean for Research, the Dean of SEAS, and School leadership on trends in corporate R&D, emerging technologies, research investment, and strategic opportunities.
• Engage with philanthropic science foundations when their interests create meaningful opportunities to support SEAS research.

Faculty Engagement and Opportunity Development:

• Build strong relationships with SEAS faculty to understand emerging research directions and identify opportunities for external collaboration.
• Translate leading-edge research into compelling strategic narratives for corporate sponsors and, where appropriate, foundations and donors.
• Bring together faculty across disciplines to develop ambitious, multi-investigator research collaborations in response to major external opportunities.
• Help faculty and external partners move from exploratory conversations to well-defined funded research collaborations with clear scientific and strategic value.

Leadership and Institutional Collaboration:

• Lead and manage the Program Manager for Industry Partnerships, providing direction, mentorship, and professional development.
• Serve as SEAS's representative on the University Corporate Engagement Council and collaborate closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), the Office of Technology Development (OTD), and University and school development offices to advance major opportunities efficiently.

Working Conditions:

The work will be performed primarily in an office environment on campus. Occasional local, national and international travel may be required.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in engineering, computer science, the physical sciences, life sciences, or a related technical field required.
• Progressively responsible experience in business development, strategic partnerships, and/or research alliances within technical or scientific organizations (15 years with a bachelor’s degree, 12 years with a master’s degree, or 10 years with a Ph.D.).
• Demonstrated experience originating, developing, and closing significant research partnerships or collaborations involving industry, universities, research organizations, foundations, and/or government.

*Applicants must submit a cover letter and a resume to be considered for this position.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Technical fluency and intellectual breadth, with the ability to engage credibly with faculty across engineering and applied sciences and with senior technical leaders in industry.
• Track record of closing strategic partnerships that resulted in significant research funding, investment, or collaborative research initiatives (as distinct from managing existing relationships or administering sponsored research).
• Executive presence and credibility interacting with senior technical leaders.
• Strong business development, relationship-building, negotiation, and influencing skills, with an entrepreneurial mindset. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex research into compelling opportunities for sophisticated external audiences.
• Familiarity with sponsored research agreements, intellectual property considerations, and other structures commonly used in university-industry research collaborations.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 standard hours per week with a regular schedule of four workdays per week on campus.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education
• Other Information:
  • Applicants must submit a cover letter and a resume to be considered for this position

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 061. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.