Washington State University
Director of Research Engagement and External Partnerships
Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States, 99163
Director Of Research Engagement And External Partnerships
The Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The Office of Research facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance, advancement, development, and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSU's land-grant mission by partnering with the university community, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance, extend, and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state, region, and nation. As the Director of Research Engagement and External Partnerships within the Office of Research, you will play a critical role in advancing WSU's research enterprise by catalyzing new and emergent collaborative initiatives with national laboratories and other key external partners, including industry, consortia, and federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers and federal research laboratories. In the Director role, you will lead the identification, cultivation, and execution of strategic external research partnerships that align with WSU's institutional research strengthssuch as clean energy, nuclear science, climate resilience, advanced materials, AI and computing, sustainable agriculture, and national securityand position WSU to play a leadership role in addressing complex national and global challenges. You will also work closely with WSU's External Affairs and Government Relations and Corporate Engagement teams and campus and systemwide leadership to ensure cohesive programming and planning. Job Functions: 65% - Strategic Research Development, External Engagement, and Partnership Building Identify and prioritize emerging national research initiatives that align with WSU's faculty expertise and research priorities and have high value partnership opportunities and alignments. Facilitate and lead the development of joint initiatives, proposals, and strategic partnerships with national labs, federally funded research and development centers, and federal research laboratories and associated agencies. Proactively pursue opportunities for WSU researchers to lead or participate in national consortia, industry-led partnerships, and mission critical programming. Serve as WSU's primary liaison to federally funded research and development centers and national laboratories building sustained and mutually beneficial relationships and investments. Oversee the university's partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), including maintaining executive relationships at the laboratory. Identify shared R&D interests and facilitate facultylab engagement through formal and informal channels (e.g., MOUs, workshops, joint appointments, sabbaticals, co-funded projects). Develop strategic relationships with industry partners to complement lab engagements and foster publicprivate R&D collaborations. 10% - Proposal Support and Capacity Building Provide strategic guidance and partnership development support to WSU research teams pursuing large-scale proposals involving national laboratories, industry and other external collaborators. Organize events, site visits, and workshops to connect WSU faculty with national lab researchers, program managers, and industry partners. 10% - Internal Strategy and Communication Work collaboratively with WSU's External Affairs and Government Relations and Corporate Engagement teams, WSU research Leadership, colleges, centers, and institutes to develop research collaborations. 10% - Supervision Provide oversight for select centers and/or institutes that report to the Office of Research as assigned by the VPR, including both short/long-term strategic planning: establishing and implementing short/long-term goals, objectives, policies, budgets, and operating procedures. 5% - Other Duties as assigned. Additional Information: This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime-exempt. Monthly Salary: $10,552.90 - $16,857.23 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. Required Qualifications: Master's degree in a relevant science, engineering, policy, or related discipline and at least 7 years of progressive experience in research development, strategic engagement, federal programs, or collaborative/corporate R&D settings, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment. Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with national laboratory, federally funded research and development centers. Knowledge of federal funding landscapes and multi-institutional proposal development. Track record of initiating or managing multi-party research initiatives or consortia. Experience in both academic and national laboratory or industry research settings. Strong strategic thinking, interpersonal, and communication skills.
The Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The Office of Research facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance, advancement, development, and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSU's land-grant mission by partnering with the university community, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance, extend, and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state, region, and nation. As the Director of Research Engagement and External Partnerships within the Office of Research, you will play a critical role in advancing WSU's research enterprise by catalyzing new and emergent collaborative initiatives with national laboratories and other key external partners, including industry, consortia, and federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers and federal research laboratories. In the Director role, you will lead the identification, cultivation, and execution of strategic external research partnerships that align with WSU's institutional research strengthssuch as clean energy, nuclear science, climate resilience, advanced materials, AI and computing, sustainable agriculture, and national securityand position WSU to play a leadership role in addressing complex national and global challenges. You will also work closely with WSU's External Affairs and Government Relations and Corporate Engagement teams and campus and systemwide leadership to ensure cohesive programming and planning. Job Functions: 65% - Strategic Research Development, External Engagement, and Partnership Building Identify and prioritize emerging national research initiatives that align with WSU's faculty expertise and research priorities and have high value partnership opportunities and alignments. Facilitate and lead the development of joint initiatives, proposals, and strategic partnerships with national labs, federally funded research and development centers, and federal research laboratories and associated agencies. Proactively pursue opportunities for WSU researchers to lead or participate in national consortia, industry-led partnerships, and mission critical programming. Serve as WSU's primary liaison to federally funded research and development centers and national laboratories building sustained and mutually beneficial relationships and investments. Oversee the university's partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), including maintaining executive relationships at the laboratory. Identify shared R&D interests and facilitate facultylab engagement through formal and informal channels (e.g., MOUs, workshops, joint appointments, sabbaticals, co-funded projects). Develop strategic relationships with industry partners to complement lab engagements and foster publicprivate R&D collaborations. 10% - Proposal Support and Capacity Building Provide strategic guidance and partnership development support to WSU research teams pursuing large-scale proposals involving national laboratories, industry and other external collaborators. Organize events, site visits, and workshops to connect WSU faculty with national lab researchers, program managers, and industry partners. 10% - Internal Strategy and Communication Work collaboratively with WSU's External Affairs and Government Relations and Corporate Engagement teams, WSU research Leadership, colleges, centers, and institutes to develop research collaborations. 10% - Supervision Provide oversight for select centers and/or institutes that report to the Office of Research as assigned by the VPR, including both short/long-term strategic planning: establishing and implementing short/long-term goals, objectives, policies, budgets, and operating procedures. 5% - Other Duties as assigned. Additional Information: This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime-exempt. Monthly Salary: $10,552.90 - $16,857.23 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. Required Qualifications: Master's degree in a relevant science, engineering, policy, or related discipline and at least 7 years of progressive experience in research development, strategic engagement, federal programs, or collaborative/corporate R&D settings, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment. Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with national laboratory, federally funded research and development centers. Knowledge of federal funding landscapes and multi-institutional proposal development. Track record of initiating or managing multi-party research initiatives or consortia. Experience in both academic and national laboratory or industry research settings. Strong strategic thinking, interpersonal, and communication skills.