Job Details

Senior Director, Signature Industry Partnerships

Position Number: 7306208
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Economic and Business Development

Senior Director, Signature Industry Partnerships

Requisition Number: 73264
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Part Time
Posting Close Date: 09-Jul-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) at CU Boulder invites an accomplished industry leader to shape a small portfolio of six to ten signature corporate partnerships that define how a top public engineering college collaborates with industry.

The Senior Director, Signature Industry Partnerships role is designed for a senior professional who wants to apply deep industry experience to build enduring partnerships that strengthen engineering and computer science education, accelerate applied research, and prepare the next generation of technical talent.

The Senior Director, Signature Industry Partnerships serves as the college's strategic lead for industry engagement, responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving a comprehensive framework that aligns industry partnerships with CEAS priorities in education, research, innovation, workforce development, and external investment.

This role works in close coordination with key campus partners-including the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), Industry Research Partnerships (IRP), Industry and Foundation Relations (IFR), and the Research Support Office (RSO)-to align CEAS industry engagement with broader university strategies. The position also connects partnerships to K-12 and pre-collegiate pipeline programs (e.g., Center for Teaching and Technology Workforce Innovation, Space Grant, and related initiatives).

This is a 50% time, senior-level role designed for an experienced professional who can operate with autonomy, influence across organizations, and deliver outcomes through relationship leadership rather than administration.

Why This Role Matters

CEAS has committed to a focused, high-impact industry engagement model: a limited number of strategic partners that are deeply integrated, not transactional. These partnerships will span the full continuum of engagement-from early STEM pathways through curriculum, research, innovation, and workforce development.

This position exists to own that strategy, steward those relationships at an executive level, and ensure they deliver long-term value for both industry and the university.

What Success Looks Like

A clearly defined and actively managed portfolio of six to ten deeply engaged industry partners
Consistent, high-quality integration of partners into education, research, and workforce initiatives
Strong talent pipelines for students and meaningful engagement opportunities for faculty
Sustained external investment that advances CEAS priorities

The outcome is not a long list of partners. The outcome is a small, durable portfolio of organizations that view CEAS as a strategic collaborator and invest accordingly.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Founded in 1893, CEAS at CU Boulder is the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation's top public research institutions. As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college's mission is to generate new knowledge in engineering and related fields, and to equip students from a diverse set of backgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for the betterment of individuals and society. Our vision is to be a recognized world leader for excellence and innovation in engineering research and education, with an emphasis on inclusive excellence, active learning and global society.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Build and sustain six to ten executive-level industry partnerships aligned with CEAS strengths in engineering and computer science.

Lead the development and execution of CEAS's strategic industry engagement framework, establishing priorities, partnership models, and implementation plans that advance college objectives in education, research, innovation, and workforce development in coordination with campus partners including RIO, IRP, IFR, and RSO.

Design partnership roadmaps that integrate industry across:

Pre-collegiate STEM recruiting and pathways, including engagement with K-12 partnership programs (e.g., Center for Teaching and Technology Workforce Innovation, Colorado Space Grant, and related initiatives)
Curriculum and experiential learning
Student internships, co-ops placement
Sponsored research and applied collaboration
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology translation

Coordinate with RIO, IRP, IFR, and RSO to align partnership activities with sponsored research, advancement strategy, and institutional priorities

Serve as the senior relationship steward, ensuring continuity, trust, and mutual value beyond individual projects or personnel.

Serve as the senior relationship steward for a defined portfolio of strategic industry partners, ensuring continuity, trust, and sustained value beyond individual projects or personnel changes. Maintain regular executive-level engagement, align partner priorities with college and university objectives, and coordinate with relevant campus offices (e.g., RIO, IRP, IFR, RSO) to deliver a consistent partnership experience. Identify and advance opportunities to deepen collaboration across education, research, innovation, philanthropy, and workforce development while ensuring clear communication and accountability.

Translate strong partnerships into philanthropic, scholarship, and research investment that advances student success and research impact.

Develop multi-year partnership strategies, evaluate effectiveness, and maintain strong working relationships with campus offices supporting research, innovation, and external engagement.

Align engagement activities with college strategic goals.
Evaluate effectiveness and recommend improvements.
Define key performance indicators.
Monitor outcomes.
Analyze trends.
Recommend process improvements.
Report findings to leadership.

What We Can Offer

The salary for this 50% appointment is $75,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be excited. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or computer science.
5+ years of relevant industry experience.

What You Will Need

Ability to identify, design, and build a focused portfolio of high-value corporate partnerships aligned with institutional priorities, ensuring depth over breadth.
Demonstrates credibility and influence with senior industry leaders; builds trust, maintains continuity, and manages long-term, executive-level relationships.
Skill in creating partnership roadmaps that connect industry engagement across the full continuum-STEM pathways, curriculum, research, innovation, and workforce development.
Ability to bridge industry needs and academic capabilities, translating priorities into mutually beneficial initiatives that are practical, scalable, and impactful.
Proven ability to convert partnerships into sustained financial support, including sponsored research, philanthropy, scholarships, and programmatic investment.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
(Optional): A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by July 9, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Senior-Director-Signature-Industry-Partnerships/73264