Managing Director, BBISS - Open Rank Senior /Principal Extension Professional

Overview

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values (academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, ethical behavior and stewardship). Georgia Tech supports a healthy work-life balance and understands that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

Location

Atlanta, GA

Job Summary

The Managing Director serves as a strategic operating partner to the BBISS Executive Faculty Director (EFD), developing and leading BBISS’s external partnership strategy grounded in the institute’s academic research priorities while ensuring cohesive execution across BBISS leadership portfolios and priority initiatives.

The role has two key responsibilities:

• Extension responsibility (70%) translating BBISS’s research mission into sustained, high-impact partnerships with industry, foundations, government agencies, national laboratories, nonprofits, and civic organizations; ensuring external relationships advance BBISS’s research, extension, and service missions.
• Strategic integration and organizational coordination (30%) - serving as primary integrator across EFD, Associate Faculty Director, and SCoRE Senior Director portfolios; ensuring initiatives are coordinated and mutually reinforcing.

This role bridges BBISS’s academic research strategy with the external partnership ecosystem, translating research priorities into partnership opportunities, evaluating strategic fit, and ensuring partnerships translate knowledge into practice.

This vacancy is an open rank announcement. Final offer dependent on candidate qualifications per the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook.

Responsibilities

Extension Partnership Development (70%)

• Strategic Extension Partnerships - Develop and execute BBISS’s extension partnership strategy; translate research priorities into partnership targets across industries, foundations, government agencies, national labs, and community-based/nonprofit organizations.
• Relationship oversight - Provide strategic oversight on industry partnership development and related strategies that align corporate interests with academic research capabilities and sponsor applied research activities.
• Opportunity evaluation - Evaluate opportunities for strategic fit with academic research priorities and lead external engagement planning with BBISS leadership.

• Relationship Development and Management - Serve as primary relationship manager for strategic foundation, government agency, nonprofit, and peer-institution partnerships; cultivate multi-year relationships that generate funding and research opportunities.
• Establish and manage BBISS External Advisory Board; coordinate biannual meetings and integrate guidance into strategic planning.
• Support philanthropic fundraising in collaboration with the Georgia Tech Office of Development.

• Partnership Execution and Visibility - Negotiate partnerships and MOUs; represent BBISS at national conferences; oversee events to elevate BBISS visibility and partnerships.

Strategic Integration and Organizational Coordination (30%)

• Cross-Portfolio Coordination - Integrate priorities across BBISS programs; translate strategic priorities into integrated annual plans with clear timelines and accountability.
• Operational Coordination and Execution - Translate strategic plans into operational plans and manage resource allocation; oversee multi-year priorities and quarterly planning.

Qualifications

Required

• Senior Extension Professional: Master’s degree in environmental science, policy, business, engineering, or public administration with 7 years of relevant full-time experience after degree, or 9 years after Bachelor’s for some tracks; Doctoral degree with 4 years post-Bachelor’s experience.
• Principal Extension Professional: Master’s degree with 11 years of relevant experience; Doctoral degree with 7 years post-Bachelor’s experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD, JD, or equivalent)
• Experience in sustainability-related sectors
• Knowledge of federal, state, and/or foundation funding landscapes
• Experience developing industry research consortia or public-private partnerships
• Experience establishing advisory boards or multi-stakeholder governance
• Existing networks in relevant sectors
• Experience with community-engaged research or civic innovation
• Track record of collaboration with development/advancement offices

Required Documents To Attach

• Cover letter (2 pages maximum) describing interest and approach to partnership strategy
• Curriculum vitae or resume

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Business development and partnership strategy; revenue generation through sponsored research, gifts, and strategic partnerships
• Translate research priorities into external partnership opportunities
• Bridge-building across cultures; translate opportunities into research impact
• Managing through influence in matrices and networks
• Entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable with ambiguity

Contact Information

For inquiries, contact Kristina Chatfield at

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia core values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. Details at USG policy and online resources linked in the job description.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia Tech is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to a fair and respectful environment and complies with applicable laws and policies regarding equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position. This position does not have financial responsibilities, travel requirements, or security clearance. Working conditions include travel up to 25-30% within Georgia and nationally for partnership development and events. This role offers high independence and strategic decision-making with escalation when needed.

Working Conditions

• Reporting: Reports to Executive Faculty Director; strategic operating partner
• Key partnerships: Office of Corporate Engagement, Office of Federal and State Relations, EI2, Office of Development
• Direct reports: TBD based on strategy
• Travel: 25-30%
• Schedule: Standard business hours; some evenings/weekends for events
• Environment: Innovative, evolving role; comfort with ambiguity

Compensation And Benefits

Georgia Tech offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive health and retirement; professional development; tuition assistance
• Opportunity to work at a leading research university

Background Check

Successful candidate must pass a background check.

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