External Partnerships Manager

Employment Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Vacancy ID: NF0010144

Salary Range: salary to be commensurate with experience

Position Summary/Description:

The External Partnerships Manager builds and manages the School of Data and Information Sciences’ working relationships with industry, government, non-profit, health, and peer academic organizations. Reporting to the Director of Cross-Sector Partnerships ( CSP ) within the Office of Research, the position independently develops and manages an assigned portfolio of relationships with industry, non-profit, and government organizations and carries out the school’s external engagement plan. The position researches and qualifies prospective partners, initiates outreach, conducts discovery and scoping conversations, manages relationships through opportunity development, implementation, renewal, and stewardship, ensuring mutually beneficial relationships that grow and expand over time.

Serving as a bridge between external partners and SDIS , the position advances opportunities through SDIS and UNC processes, coordinates with faculty, research and academic leadership, and relevant university offices, and ensures agreements, commitments, and program requirements are addressed appropriately.

The position manages assigned partner-facing programs, employer relationships, and signature convenings. It administers the school’s engagement pipeline and customer relationship management ( CRM ) system as the authoritative record of external relationships and uses pipeline intelligence to recommend priorities to the Director of CSP and strengthen partnership outcomes.

Education and Experience:

Formal training or work experience in data science, information, library, health, technology, public sector, or civic sectors, with knowledge of workforce, career development, and research funding trends.

Demonstrated experience and ability to develop and manage external partnerships, conduct outreach and needs-assessment conversations, advance opportunities from initial engagement through implementation, and independently manage a portfolio of relationships.

Experience working in university, research, or industry environments, including sponsored research, industry agreements, employer relations, and academic-industry collaboration models such as internships, capstone projects, and practicums.

Experience developing industry-supported educational programs, recruiting sponsors or members for partnership programs, and designing and delivering industry-focused events, convenings, competitions, or professional development offerings.

Experience using customer relationship management ( CRM ) systems and familiarity with confidentiality, intellectual property, and data-use considerations in partnership and industry agreements.

Essential Skills:

Bachelor’s degree.

Three or more years of relevant professional experience.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities independently.

AA/EEO 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.