Corporate Strategy Officer

Overview

The Corporate Strategy Officer is a key member of the Corporate Strategy & Engagement team whose focus is to distinguish Yale as a leading institution for corporate collaborations. Reporting to the University Director for Corporate Strategy & Engagement under the Yale Ventures umbrella, the successful candidate will manage and lead a portfolio of corporate prospects with the intent of building mutually beneficial relationships with Yale and exploring potential collaboration and financial support for the University.

This position plans and executes strategic activities in order to increase major corporate support for Yale priorities, and works to ensure that corporate approaches, from identification to cultivation to solicitation to negotiation through stewardship, are highly strategic and coordinated. This position meets regularly with department chairs, research group leaders, and program leaders to stay informed of current institutional priorities. The successful candidate will analyze these priorities and corporate needs to form strategies to integrate corporate partners.

This position organizes and convenes appropriate workshops for faculty and staff on industry trends, corporate strategies, and academic/industry engagement models in collaboration with colleagues in Yale Development, Yale Schools & Units, Sponsored Programs, and Yale Ventures Innovation and Business Development and Licensing. This position creates signature experiences to welcome global executives and scientists to campus and develops communication and reporting strategies that promote a seamless enterprise across multiple academic and administrative teams across campus.

The successful candidate will leverage best-in-class models and policies that contribute to effective industry-focused research administration processes. A collaborative work style is essential. The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility in adapting to shifting institutional priorities and a tolerance for ambiguity. Please note that the Principal Responsibilities are generic and may include information that is not pertinent to this specific position.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to corporations’ culture and priorities and well-developed communication skills, professionalism, maturity, and good judgement. Demonstrated experience making presentations to individuals and organizations and writing proposals suitable for a corporate audience.
• Deep understanding of research in academic and/or industry settings and knowledge of university organization and academic administrative policies and procedures. Ability to gain confidence and work regularly and effectively with academic and administrative colleagues and faculty. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to facilitate team efforts in meeting deadlines and goals; ability to build relationships with diverse constituents to achieve desired outcomes.
• Experience applying various techniques and methodologies that support corporate relationship building, including prospect identification and qualification as well as cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Commitment to an inclusive workplace. Ability to engage with diverse audiences (age, gender, nationality, race/ethnicity, profession, sexual orientation, etc.).

Ph.D. or Master’s degree in business administration, public relations, engineering, science, or related field. Six plus years’ experience in higher education corporate relations, technology transfer, or technical industry related field. Title will be commensurate with education and experience.