Additional Info

1. Responsible for the development of the Office of Industry Engagement including infrastructure, processes, and staffing.  
2. Develop and execute strategies to expand industry-sponsored research, technology development, and collaborative opportunities.
3. Develop new and enhance existing university assets that will attract and sustain industry partnerships. 
   Leverage the EDGE District to grow industry partnerships.
4. Build and maintain long-term relationships with executives and R&D leaders across biotech, pharma, medtech, and related sectors.
5. Represent UNMC at conferences and industry forums to promote institutional capabilities and strengths. 
   In partnership with organizational leadership, conduct unit-level and enterprise-level portfolio assessment and longitudinal optimization. 

1. Connect faculty with industry opportunities aligned with their research interests and institutional priorities. 
2. Monitor market trends to identify new opportunities for research, technology development, clinical trials, and innovation.
3. Guide initial scoping discussions and support negotiation of industry agreements (research, confidentiality, and collaborative contracts) with legal and compliance offices.
4. Ensure agreements are structured to support scientific integrity, research subject safety, intellectual property rights, and financial sustainability. 

1. Collaborate with faculty and research leaders to align opportunities with institutional strengths and priorities to drive funded collaborations, sponsored research, licensing, or joint ventures.
2. Partner with research administration, compliance, technology transfer, clinical trials office, and philanthropy/development teams to coordinate industry interactions.
3. Provide guidance and training to faculty and research staff on industry engagement best practices.
4. Establish metrics, reporting, and accountability systems to track outcomes, ensure compliance, and demonstrate impact on research and revenue growth. 

1. Ensure all activities comply with federal, state, and institutional policies, including those related to conflict of interest, research integrity, and data security.
2. Monitor trends in regulatory frameworks (e.g., FDA, NIH, CMS) and advise leadership on implications for industry engagement. 

Strategic thinker with a results-oriented approach.
Collaborative and diplomatic; able to work across disciplines and organizations.
Comfortable operating at both high strategic levels and hands-on execution.
Committed to advancing the mission of academic medicine and patient impact.
Ability to navigate complex organizations and influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
High ethical standards and commitment to transparency, compliance, and patient-centered research.
Proven ability to engage faculty, senior administrators, and external partners with credibility and influence.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to navigate ambiguity while building new initiatives.

The Director independently develops and executes strategies to align industry partnerships with institutional research priorities. Decisions often involve balancing complex academic, business, and regulatory considerations, requiring high-level judgment and negotiation skills. The role regularly addresses issues of intellectual property, compliance, and financial sustainability, where decisions may directly affect multimillion-dollar agreements.

The position has a direct and measurable impact on institutional revenue, research portfolio growth, and external reputation. The Director is responsible for cultivating partnerships valued in the tens of millions of dollars, with potential to influence patient outcomes and community health. Errors in judgment or poorly structured agreements could expose the institution to financial loss, compliance violations, or reputational damage.

Determined over a period of months

Decisions often involve negotiating multimillion-dollar agreements that include licensing, sponsored research, or clinical trial contracts. The role requires sound judgment in protecting institutional interests while enabling innovation, as poor decisions could result in financial loss, compliance risk, or reputational harm.

The Director routinely makes complex decisions on structuring industry partnerships, balancing academic integrity, regulatory compliance, and financial sustainability.

Individual must be very independent with minimal supervision.

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Office,Lab,Other/ Combined

Should be able to support high profile visits across all research enterprise facilities.

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