Director - Strategic Partnerships (Technology—AI frontier labs, major technology)
Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development, the Director owns the vertical end to end, working with other Directors, academic units and Partnership Success Managers. The role involves running the full partnership lifecycle: identifying and opening opportunities with leading AI frontier labs and Fortune 100 technology companies, matching their needs to Carolina’s research, faculty expertise, talent pipeline and infrastructure, closing institutional‑scale agreements, and serving as the executive relationship anchor for renewal and expansion.
Responsibilities
- Identify and engage with senior leaders of major AI and technology firms.
- Analyze partner needs and map them to Carolina’s capabilities.
- Negotiate and close strategic partnerships, MOUs and research agreements.
- Maintain executive‑level relationships and lead renewal/expansion discussions.
- Collaborate with deans, faculty, development, legal counsel, and success managers across the institution.
- Leverage frontier AI tools to accelerate partnership processes and support decision making.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with 0–2 years of experience; or a combination of related education and experience.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of specific industry experience; or Master’s degree with 5 years.
- Deep, current industry experience and contacts in the relevant vertical.
- Proficient use of frontier AI tools for research and analysis.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and translate complex needs into solutions.
- Excellent written, verbal, and executive‑level communication skills.
- Self‑directed, autonomous work style with high‑quality outcomes.
- Strong collaboration across a matrixed institution and across diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Track record of sourcing and closing $25M+ in cumulative partnerships or institutional‑scale agreements.
- Day‑one access to senior decision‑makers at leading AI frontier labs and Fortune 100 companies.
- 10+ years of direct experience inside or selling into the technology and frontier‑AI sector.
- Ability to translate institutional capabilities into customized value propositions with proposals delivered in 30 days or less.
- Experience negotiating contracts and partnership agreements with legal counsel and executive leadership.
- CRM proficiency (Salesforce or comparable).
- Familiarity with university research enterprise, technology transfer and sponsored research administration.
- Willingness and ability to travel within North Carolina and nationally.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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