Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Partnerships Manager supports UIDP’s partnership and membership development activities, with a near-term focus on advancing a key project tied to a new priority initiative: the UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program. This role focuses on recruiting and cultivating relationships with external partners, learning the UIDP partnership model to help expand engagement within the organization’s invite-only membership community, and recruiting university-industry pairs to the I-PhD program.
The ideal candidate will be relationship-oriented, proactive in business development, and comfortable engaging with academic, government, industry, and nonprofit stakeholders. This position requires strong interpersonal communication skills, the ability to build trust across sectors, and an interest in the university-industry collaboration ecosystem.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
I-PhD Scholars Program Support
Lead outreach to (and recruitment efforts of) university-industry pairs to the I-PhD program.
Build and maintain relationships with universities, industry partners, and prospective participants.
Coordinate with internal teams to support program promotion, communications, and participant engagement.
Represent the program in meetings, presentations, and virtual outreach activities.
Partnership and Membership Development
Support business development initiatives for UIDP’s invite-only membership community.
Identify and cultivate prospective member organizations across academia and industry.
Assist in developing strategies to strengthen engagement with current and potential partners.
Learn and apply UIDP’s partnership model to support long-term relationship growth and member value.
Relationship Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders. Facilitate conversations that connect organizational priorities with UIDP programs and partnership opportunities.
Support member engagement activities and contribute to a positive experience for participating organizations.
Other Duties as Assigned
This position may be responsible for a variety of additional tasks to support the effective operation of the organization. These may include general administrative functions, clerical support, document preparation, data entry, scheduling assistance, meeting coordination, filing, supply management, and other office-related activities. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs, and flexibility and a collaborative approach are essential.
Requirements
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
You are hungry to build meaningful partnerships and expand engagement with organizations that align with UIDP’s mission. You take initiative, pursue opportunities proactively, and are motivated by the challenge of growing relationships and creating value through collaboration.
You are humble and collaborative, working effectively across teams and with external stakeholders. You approach partnership development with a service-oriented mindset, listen carefully to understand organizational needs, and build trust through professionalism, respect, and follow-through.
You are smart in both communication and problem-solving. You understand how to engage diverse stakeholders, ask thoughtful questions, and translate conversations into productive partnerships. You bring strong judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to connect strategic goals with relationship-building efforts.
You are resilient, able to manage multiple priorities, relationships, and deadlines in a dynamic environment. You adapt to evolving opportunities, maintain momentum through challenges, and consistently demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of five years of professional experience in partnership development, business development, higher education engagement, or related roles.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both in person and in virtual environments.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Comfortable leveraging CRM systems, professional networking platforms (e.g., LinkedIn), databases, and other online resources to identify opportunities, track engagement, and support relationship development.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of or experience working in the university–industry collaboration ecosystem.
Experience in higher education administration, research partnerships, or industry partnership development.
Experience working with membership organizations, professional associations, or consortium-based initiatives.
Experience with program recruitment, outreach, or stakeholder engagement.
WHO WE ARE
UIDP (www.uidp.org) is a global nonprofit membership association that helps great innovation companies and world-class research universities develop new and better collaboration approaches. UIDP is a recognized convener of thought leaders and practitioners, identifying high-impact strategies so companies and universities (along with other interested parties) can improve the return on investment from their partnerships. UIDP’s operating model is predicated on being agile and producing high-quality products that meet the community's needs.
OUR TEAM
As the quality and impact of UIDP’s work continue to gain recognition, our team has experienced rapid growth over the past five years to keep up with the increasing demand. Despite this growth, we maintain the vibrant spirit and energy of a mission-driven start-up. We’re united by a clear, ambitious vision while embracing the inherent ambiguity and urgency of a highly agile organization.
Exciting growth opportunities await! At UIDP, we believe in investing in our staff to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Team members are encouraged to enhance their skill sets through professional development initiatives, and we actively promote from within, offering pathways for those seeking greater responsibilities. Join us and be a part of our dynamic journey!
LOCATION
This position is located in Columbia, SC, USA. UIDP operates under a hybrid work schedule, and staff work 3-4 days/week in the office.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive salary that reflects the value we place on our team members’ contributions. In addition to financial compensation, we provide a generous benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and work-life balance. This includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you are covered.
We also offer a robust retirement plan to help you plan for your future, along with generous paid time off that encourages you to recharge and enjoy personal time. At UIDP, we are committed to fostering our employees' professional development by providing opportunities for training, workshops, and mentorship programs that support their professional growth.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
Are you an SC resident willing to work 3-4 days per week at our downtown Columbia office?
Education:
Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
Partnerships, higher ed engagement, business dev, or related: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbia, SC 29201
If you require alternative methods of application or screening, you must approach the employer directly to request this as Indeed is not responsible for the employer's application process.
