Senior Associate Director

Overview

The Strategic Partnership and Engagement (SPE) team at Princeton is part of the Office of the Dean for Research. SPE works with faculty across all academic areas and serves the University's mission of advancing knowledge by increasing and diversifying research funding and through building partnerships and collaborations with external partners including corporations, foundations, and government entities to support Princeton's research enterprise and innovation initiatives. 

These external relationships can lead to the transmission of fundamental new knowledge and understanding, as well as innovative solutions to the technological and societal challenges facing our world. The commitment of the University's partners enhances our researchers' capacity to conduct groundbreaking research and tackle some of the toughest questions in their fields.

Responsibilities

• Work with faculty in several academic areas with a prime focus on the School of Engineering and Applied Science and serve the University's mission of advancing knowledge by increasing and diversifying research funding, primarily from industry/corporate source.
• Manage an internal portfolio of faculty and research center/institute directors to provide individualized consultation to address their needs and priorities for research support/funding.
• Work independently as well as in partnership with faculty and center/institute directors on developing approaches and translating complex research projects into compelling proposals to external partners, which include industry, foundations, and government.
• Provide individualized consultation to faculty to address their needs and priorities for research support. 
• Collaborate with campus partners including the President and Provost's offices, the Dean for Research, department chairs, center/institute directors and faculty. 
• Work with academic and research administration, legal and other campus offices during the pre- and post-award phases to ensure compliance of University policies.
• Initiate, develop and manage relationships with new and existing corporations and other external partners to develop projects of mutual interest that promotes the educational, scientific, and scholarly mission of the University.
• Create engagement opportunities to enable, expand, and enrich industry connections on campus.
• Formulate and execute initiatives, projects, and strategies focused on advancing the innovation ecosystem at Princeton and in the region.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications: 

• Creative and innovative problem solver.
• Strong personal initiative and self-motivation coupled with a keenness to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Strategic thinker and purpose driven.
• A minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience at a R1 research university or in industry, government, or economic development.
• Comprehensive understanding of university – industry research centric partnerships and the academic research environment.
• Understanding of multiple types of research agreements and funding (i.e sponsored research agreements, gifts, grants, contracts, gift in kind’s, material transfer agreements, etc).
• Exceptional project and program management experience.
• A proactive approach to relationship building, including the ability to initiate conversations with faculty and external partners including industry researchers, foundation program officers, and government officials.
• Ability to thrive in a complex and dynamic environment, and to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent judgment and tact, especially when working with faculty and external partners.
• Resolute integrity and ethics.
• A good dose of humor and humility.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Ability to lead and influence with informal authority.
• Master's degree in the natural sciences, engineering, business or other related field is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with faculty and university administrators across a broad range of academic disciplines and to translate and shape complex research projects and University priorities into compelling proposals.
• Familiarity with corporate/industry affiliates programs and industry associations.
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written).

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position,