Associate Director of Community and Industry Partnerships - UI Research Park - E
Laseagrant, Champaign, IL, United States
Associate Director of Community and Industry Partnerships – UI Research Park – EnterpriseWorks
This position requires in‑person work on campus and is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
Job Summary The Associate Director will build and expand strategic partnerships with corporations, University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign units, startups, and community stakeholders. This role supports the growth and operations of the Research Park through business development, real‑estate strategy, community building, and team leadership, central to advancing the Research Park’s mission of fostering innovation, supporting technology‑focused businesses, and strengthening the economic vitality of the Champaign‑Urbana region.
Duties and Responsibilities
Corporate Business Development & Relationship Management
Cultivate and strengthen relationships with established corporations operating within the Research Park.
Support companies in talent strategy, technology and innovation initiatives, and alignment of business operations with their parent organizations’ expectations.
Assist with corporate business attraction to the Research Park, including site visits, onboarding, and integration into the Park’s ecosystem.
Work closely with company leadership to help them meet key performance indicators and strategic goals.
University Engagement & Cross‑Campus Connectivity
Serve as a primary liaison for Research Park companies to connect with faculty, research centers, colleges, and administrative units across UIUC.
Facilitate access to student talent pipelines, including recruiting programs, experiential learning opportunities, and collaborations with student organizations.
Identify and coordinate opportunities for research partnerships and applied innovation projects with campus partners.
Support for Regional Economic Development
Partner with local governments, economic development organizations, and civic institutions to promote business attraction, job creation, and corporate retention within the Research Park.
Contribute to community‑centered initiatives that strengthen Champaign‑Urbana’s technology ecosystem.
Assist in planning and implementing new development projects that support the Research Park’s continued expansion.
Industry Networking & Peer Community Building
Build and maintain cross‑industry relationships among Research Park companies to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
Identify shared areas of technological interest or business operations to encourage peer‑to‑peer engagement.
Support forums, roundtables, and collaborative events that bring companies together across sectors.
Corporate–Startup Connectivity & Innovation Ecosystem Support
Create pathways that connect global corporations in the Research Park with emerging startups in the EnterpriseWorks incubator.
Facilitate collaboration opportunities between companies and UIUC‑affiliated founders (faculty, students, alumni).
Promote innovation partnerships, pilot opportunities, and technology commercialization activities.
Strategic Growth & Real Estate Development
Contribute to long‑term planning and strategy related to Research Park real estate development.
Collaborate with University leadership and external partners to support infrastructure, amenities, and community assets that strengthen the Research Park’s innovation environment.
Provide input on facility planning, tenant needs, space utilization, and development priorities.
Team Management & Operational Leadership
Lead a team of professional staff in communications, recruiting, data analytics, and student talent development.
Supervise full‑time employees and University of Illinois student interns to support their professional growth and overall team effectiveness.
Ensure operational excellence in programming, reporting, communications, and talent engagement efforts.
Provide reporting and accountability to the University of Illinois Research Park, LLC Board of Managers.
Provide strategic direction and oversight for communications and marketing initiatives, including branding, messaging, and content development for the Research Park and EnterpriseWorks.
Supervise and guide communications and marketing staff, ensuring alignment of digital, print, and social media strategies with organizational goals.
Oversee development and execution of marketing campaigns, promotional materials, and storytelling that highlight Research Park programs, companies, and impact.
Community Events & Program Engagement
Actively participate in Research Park programs, workshops, and community events to support strong engagement with companies, entrepreneurs, students, and regional partners.
Assist in planning, promotion, and execution of events that strengthen the Park’s innovation community.
Serve as an ambassador for the Research Park at internal and external functions.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, engineering, or a related field.
Experience in corporate relations, economic development, or business development that demonstrates work with industry in technology or research fields.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with various stakeholders.
Leadership experience managing professional staff.
Demonstrated experience using technology skills including AI platforms, CRM systems, visualization and/or data analytics tools, marketing & digital communication platforms and/or presentation & proposal development tools.
Preferred Qualifications
MBA or related master’s degree in a relevant field.
Experience in research park management, university‑industry relations, real‑estate development, or technology commercialization.
Experience working with both corporate and startup environments.
Experience working with higher education in roles that support its economic development mission.
Experience overseeing communications, marketing, or brand strategy, including digital and social media initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Required: Familiarity with innovation ecosystems and talent strategy. Strong communication skills.
Preferred: Proficiency with University of Illinois technology platforms.
Appointment Information This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $100,000 to $110,000.
Benefits Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, Tuition waivers for employees and dependents. The University of Illinois System is an equal‑opportunity employer and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.
EEO Statement The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.
Requisition ID 1035730
Application Information This position is intended to be eligible for benefits.
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Job Summary The Associate Director will build and expand strategic partnerships with corporations, University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign units, startups, and community stakeholders. This role supports the growth and operations of the Research Park through business development, real‑estate strategy, community building, and team leadership, central to advancing the Research Park’s mission of fostering innovation, supporting technology‑focused businesses, and strengthening the economic vitality of the Champaign‑Urbana region.
Duties and Responsibilities
Corporate Business Development & Relationship Management
Cultivate and strengthen relationships with established corporations operating within the Research Park.
Support companies in talent strategy, technology and innovation initiatives, and alignment of business operations with their parent organizations’ expectations.
Assist with corporate business attraction to the Research Park, including site visits, onboarding, and integration into the Park’s ecosystem.
Work closely with company leadership to help them meet key performance indicators and strategic goals.
University Engagement & Cross‑Campus Connectivity
Serve as a primary liaison for Research Park companies to connect with faculty, research centers, colleges, and administrative units across UIUC.
Facilitate access to student talent pipelines, including recruiting programs, experiential learning opportunities, and collaborations with student organizations.
Identify and coordinate opportunities for research partnerships and applied innovation projects with campus partners.
Support for Regional Economic Development
Partner with local governments, economic development organizations, and civic institutions to promote business attraction, job creation, and corporate retention within the Research Park.
Contribute to community‑centered initiatives that strengthen Champaign‑Urbana’s technology ecosystem.
Assist in planning and implementing new development projects that support the Research Park’s continued expansion.
Industry Networking & Peer Community Building
Build and maintain cross‑industry relationships among Research Park companies to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
Identify shared areas of technological interest or business operations to encourage peer‑to‑peer engagement.
Support forums, roundtables, and collaborative events that bring companies together across sectors.
Corporate–Startup Connectivity & Innovation Ecosystem Support
Create pathways that connect global corporations in the Research Park with emerging startups in the EnterpriseWorks incubator.
Facilitate collaboration opportunities between companies and UIUC‑affiliated founders (faculty, students, alumni).
Promote innovation partnerships, pilot opportunities, and technology commercialization activities.
Strategic Growth & Real Estate Development
Contribute to long‑term planning and strategy related to Research Park real estate development.
Collaborate with University leadership and external partners to support infrastructure, amenities, and community assets that strengthen the Research Park’s innovation environment.
Provide input on facility planning, tenant needs, space utilization, and development priorities.
Team Management & Operational Leadership
Lead a team of professional staff in communications, recruiting, data analytics, and student talent development.
Supervise full‑time employees and University of Illinois student interns to support their professional growth and overall team effectiveness.
Ensure operational excellence in programming, reporting, communications, and talent engagement efforts.
Provide reporting and accountability to the University of Illinois Research Park, LLC Board of Managers.
Provide strategic direction and oversight for communications and marketing initiatives, including branding, messaging, and content development for the Research Park and EnterpriseWorks.
Supervise and guide communications and marketing staff, ensuring alignment of digital, print, and social media strategies with organizational goals.
Oversee development and execution of marketing campaigns, promotional materials, and storytelling that highlight Research Park programs, companies, and impact.
Community Events & Program Engagement
Actively participate in Research Park programs, workshops, and community events to support strong engagement with companies, entrepreneurs, students, and regional partners.
Assist in planning, promotion, and execution of events that strengthen the Park’s innovation community.
Serve as an ambassador for the Research Park at internal and external functions.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, engineering, or a related field.
Experience in corporate relations, economic development, or business development that demonstrates work with industry in technology or research fields.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with various stakeholders.
Leadership experience managing professional staff.
Demonstrated experience using technology skills including AI platforms, CRM systems, visualization and/or data analytics tools, marketing & digital communication platforms and/or presentation & proposal development tools.
Preferred Qualifications
MBA or related master’s degree in a relevant field.
Experience in research park management, university‑industry relations, real‑estate development, or technology commercialization.
Experience working with both corporate and startup environments.
Experience working with higher education in roles that support its economic development mission.
Experience overseeing communications, marketing, or brand strategy, including digital and social media initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Required: Familiarity with innovation ecosystems and talent strategy. Strong communication skills.
Preferred: Proficiency with University of Illinois technology platforms.
Appointment Information This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $100,000 to $110,000.
Benefits Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, Tuition waivers for employees and dependents. The University of Illinois System is an equal‑opportunity employer and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.
EEO Statement The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.
Requisition ID 1035730
Application Information This position is intended to be eligible for benefits.
#J-18808-Ljbffr