Assistant Vice President | Industry Engagement

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision:

• Craft a comprehensive multi-year campus corporate strategy that will drive support for institutional priorities and increase research, job opportunities for students, and philanthropic revenue.
• Collaborate with the University President’s Office and Provost’s Office ensuring their presence supports key initiatives and maximizes impact on corporate partnerships and university priorities.
• Serve as an active member of the University leadership team and collaborate with academic and administrative leadership and peers to achieve institution-wide goals.
• Identify, manage, and execute strategies to cultivate, secure, sustain, and expand strategic partnerships in support of the priorities of the university including research, talent and philanthropy.
• Strategically secure resources through corporate partnerships that fund critical university initiatives, such as research, scholarships, programs, and facility development.
• Collaborate with leadership, development, and research teams to evaluate capacity, identify growth opportunities, and develop strategies for multidisciplinary partnerships that enhance involvement at all levels.
• Represent the university and the university’s interests to industry partners.
• Emphasize cultivation of strategic partnerships in high-growth sectors that align with university strengths, such as emerging technologies and sustainable development.

University Collaboration:

• Foster a collaborative university culture in support of improved performance and strategic outcomes.
• Leverage research expertise and technical proficiency to collaborate with campus partners in driving industry partnerships that foster innovation, expand research opportunities, and increase job and internship pathways for students.
• Develop a broad and deep understanding of industry, research and talent priorities across campus and of university policies relating to various types of corporate relationships and support.
• Provide strategic guidance to CSUs, ensuring best-in-class services and operations.
• Identify and develop innovative solutions to address cross-campus challenges to successfully engage with industry.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging best practices, disseminating relevant insights to the campus community to inform strategic decisions.
• Foster innovative partnership models across multiple CSUs that elevate UT Austin’s profile as a premier institution for industry collaboration.
• Lead the central industry data hub, aggregating data to support decision-making.

Team Management:

• Lead and grow a strong, effective team capable of building robust industry relationships while collaborating closely with CSU affiliated officers, faculty, administration, program staff and other stakeholders.
• Support and provide guidance to Industry Engagement team in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects and corporate partners.
• Supervise marketing and operations staff in a campus-wide shared services hub.
• Foster a professional environment that recognizes and rewards performance, supports innovation and risk-taking, builds confidence, and encourages teamwork.

Operational Excellence:

• Architect operations that streamline processes and optimize overall efficiency, productivity, and collaboration among staff members.
• Oversee the delivery of core service functions, ensuring effective support in areas like gift processing, stewardship, marketing, and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with policies and manage risks to protect the university’s interests.
• Administer the department’s budget and personnel.
• Implement a metrics-driven reporting framework that assesses the impact of corporate partnerships, ensuring transparency and alignment with the university’s mission.

Qualification & Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in fundraising, corporate relations, sales or market development, or comparable field, in either the higher education context or the corporate-side of university-industry engagement, is preferred.
• Track record of leading teams, establishing and managing multi-dimensional partnerships, driving innovation and operational excellence
• Strong technical expertise with demonstrated experience in initiating and advancing research opportunities.
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal communications skills and political acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to implement strategy within the context of a large organization.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and foster trust and teamwork in a collaborative environment.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of corporate fundraising, including strategies for identification, segmentation, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Graduate work in the sciences or engineering or an MBA preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card