Job Summary

The Director of Ecosystem Partnerships leads the strategy, development, and execution of collaborative research consortia and public-private partnerships that advance Indiana University's innovation ecosystem.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Builds and manages strategic relationships with industry, startups, government, academic, philanthropic, and nonprofit partners while implementing existing awards and partnerships and identifying and securing new funding and partnership opportunities.
• Works closely with faculty and university leadership to develop competitive proposals, establish sustainable consortium models, and oversee the successful implementation of complex, multi-partner initiatives that expand IU's research, innovation, and economic development impact.
• Implements and manages the day-to-day operations of IU Inc., IU LAB and IU ARC consortium agreements, including potential agreements such as AnalytixIN, CatalyzeIN, and NSF Engines if awarded.
• Serve as the primary operating lead and point of contact for consortium partners, members, principal investigators, industry participants, government agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Manages consortium governance, work plans, milestones, deliverables, reporting requirements, partner communications, meetings, and performance tracking.
• Works with IU faculty, research leaders, and external partners to design, pursue, and secure new consortium agreements, collaborative grants, and public-private partnership opportunities.
• Leads or supports proposal development, including partner coordination, scopes of work, budgets, letters of support, governance structures, sustainability plans, and implementation models.
• Develops repeatable consortium models for IU Inc. and IU LAB, including membership structures, governance frameworks, intellectual property considerations, financial models, administrative fee structures, and partner engagement plans.
• Builds and manages a proactive opportunity pipeline for federal, state, industry, philanthropic, and regional ecosystem funding opportunities aligned with IU Inc. and IU LAB priorities.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with industry partners, federal and state agencies, peer institutions, economic development organizations, nonprofit partners, and regional innovation stakeholders.
• Coordinates with IU sponsored programs, legal, finance, research administration, compliance, and academic units on budgets, administrative fees, subawards, contracts, reporting, and grant or agreement compliance.
• Helps establish a cohesive institutional strategy for consortium development, ensuring IU is better positioned to identify, compete for, win, and execute complex multi-partner opportunities.

General Responsibilities

• Leads and implements large-scale advancement initiatives with key stakeholders and leaders in the public and private sector.
• Identifies potential opportunities and cultivates relationships engaging with relevant stakeholders to develop project scope.
• Develops deep understanding of related issues, assets, and opportunities to formulate project outcomes in collaboration with unit leadership and partners.
• Stay currents on emerging needs and works closely with leadership to improve operational efficiency based on industry trends.
• Matches identified needs with university academic and operational experts as well as external assets and resources.
• Manages budgets, takes on special projects, and may supervise staff in project operations.
• Serves as a primary point of contact on project needs and priorities interacting with a wide variety of constituencies.
• Develops and maintains systems for selecting, tracking, and assessing projects and their outcomes and impact.
• May provide guidance to lower-level Institutional Advancement Consultants.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 8 years experience in outreach, engagement, public relations, or related field

Preferred

• Demonstrated partnership and business development record
• Negotiation and contract / IP fluency
• Consortium or multi-partner program management
• Stakeholder management working with universities, faculty, government agencies, industry partners, or research-driven organizations

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Ability to represent the company with external constituents
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Primary location: Indianapolis, Indiana (16 Tech Innovation District). The role will transition to the new IU LAB facility upon its completion in 2027.

Regular travel required across Indiana University campuses (Bloomington, Indianapolis, and regional campuses), as well as to national conferences, partner corporate headquarters, and international destinations as needed.

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure .

Job Classification

Career Level: Expert

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Development & Advancement

Job Family: Institutional Advancement

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

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