Inside Higher Ed
Director of Business Engagement
Posting Number:
S14464P Working Title:
Director of Business Engagement Department:
DAR-Business Engagement
About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia (UGA) is the birthplace of public higher education in America and the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). With more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements, UGA is committed to higher education. The main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full‑time staff. Enrollment exceeds 41,000 students, including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including a newly established School of Medicine.
About the Division and Office Division of Development and Alumni Relations:
Advances the university’s goals by generating private financial support, building alumni and donor relationships, and assisting students with career development opportunities. Office of Business Engagement:
Cultivates long‑term partnerships with companies by aligning university resources with business goals, focusing on research and innovation, student recruitment, and philanthropic giving.
Job Details Posting Type:
External Retirement Plan:
TRS or ORP Employment Type:
Employee – Full Time Benefits Eligibility:
Benefits Eligible Schedule:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm; must work evenings and weekends as necessary Salary:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience Proposed Starting Date:
02/01/2026 Location:
Athens, GA
EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with accessibility during this search may contact Central HR at
hrweb@uga.edu .
USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia’s core values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do. Additional policy references can be found online at
USG Policy Manual – Section 8.2.18
and
Board Policy 6.5 – Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom .
Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience plus 5 years of professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and 7 years of experience in philanthropy, research & development, sales, business development, or economic development.
A graduate degree from an accredited institution and more than 5 years of experience in philanthropy, research & development, sales, business development, or economic development.
Understanding of higher education’s mission and its intersection with economic development.
Understanding of regional, national, and global industry trends and their implications for university research and education.
Position Summary The Director of Business Engagement is a member of the Office of Business Engagement team and plays a key role in fostering new, significant, long‑term partnerships with industry. The Director focuses on building strategic, long‑term university relationships with prospective and emerging industry partners, identifying opportunities for corporate investment, support, and collaboration, and maintaining strong internal relationships with faculty, staff, and administrators.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies
Understanding of fundraising principles and practices.
Understanding of business development strategies and tactics.
Ability to identify new leads and opportunities for business development and/or partnership.
Ability to establish and steward productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to conceive, organize, and manage complex projects and programs.
Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) and respectfully with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to translate complex ideas into common language.
Ability to navigate complex academic and corporate organizations to accomplish goals.
Ability to create, organize, compare, and interpret data to drive business insights and decisions.
Experience using software programs including Microsoft Office Suite, CRM, databases, website management, research tools, and social media applications.
Experience presenting information to small and large groups of stakeholders.
Experience successfully pitching ideas or products to customers, clients, managers, or other stakeholders.
Experience managing multiple relationships or accounts to foster business development or drive organizational goals.
Experience identifying new leads and opportunities for business development or organizational partnership.
Experience setting, operationalizing, and executing short‑ and long‑term goals for organizational growth.
Experience setting and meeting individual‑level performance metrics.
Experience operating effectively with teams who have various professional and academic experiences.
Additional Division Expectations
Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. Employees will be held accountable for promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting is expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.
Physical Demands
Work in a standard office environment.
Travel in and out of state.
Work nights and weekends as necessary.
Work using electronic mail, telephone, face‑to‑face discussions, and paper correspondence.
Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening.
Organize and establish priorities; remember detail; multi‑task.
Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb.
Job Duties & Responsibilities Relationship Management and Business Development (75%)
Identify and qualify new industry prospect leads for the University, prioritizing businesses and industries in Georgia.
Manage a growing portfolio of major industry prospects to build long‑term, mutually beneficial partnerships that generate philanthropic support, research sponsorship, and student engagement.
Develop a broad understanding of UGA’s philanthropic areas, research expertise, instructional programs, and student activities that have potential connectivity to industry; use this understanding to identify, research, and cultivate new corporate prospects.
Advise faculty, administrators, and unit development directors on industry‑related projects and programs, making company introductions and assisting with funding proposals, business contracts, research agreements, philanthropic solicitations, and stewardship reports.
Plan and attend meetings on and off campus with corporate representatives to build and maintain university‑industry partnerships.
Create annual prospect engagement plans that drive mission‑focused, tangible results and meet the Director of Business Engagement’s annual metrics.
Document all work‑related interactions with industry and faculty in the CRM system, maintaining clear, concise, and proper documentation via quantitative and qualitative data input.
Campus Collaboration (20%)
Collaborate with university colleagues on projects and programs involving industry partners within the director’s portfolio.
Consult with industry‑funded faculty on project management practices, relevant university processes and policies, and industry expectations and priorities.
Meet regularly with campus counterparts to brainstorm and collaborate on new areas of priority within various schools, colleges, and units.
Liaise with cross‑campus partners on behalf of the Office of Business Engagement to identify new leads for industry partnership and opportunities for cultivation and stewardship of existing partners.
Other (5%)
Participate in and support staff meetings, division meetings, and office events and activities.
Represent UGA and grow relationships in the business community by attending association networking functions, obtaining membership to relevant business associations, etc.
Contact Details Recruitment Contact Name: Development & Alumni Relations’ Office of Talent Management Recruitment Contact Email:
dartalent@uga.edu
Seniority Level
Director
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Business Development and Sales
#J-18808-Ljbffr
S14464P Working Title:
Director of Business Engagement Department:
DAR-Business Engagement
About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia (UGA) is the birthplace of public higher education in America and the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). With more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements, UGA is committed to higher education. The main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full‑time staff. Enrollment exceeds 41,000 students, including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including a newly established School of Medicine.
About the Division and Office Division of Development and Alumni Relations:
Advances the university’s goals by generating private financial support, building alumni and donor relationships, and assisting students with career development opportunities. Office of Business Engagement:
Cultivates long‑term partnerships with companies by aligning university resources with business goals, focusing on research and innovation, student recruitment, and philanthropic giving.
Job Details Posting Type:
External Retirement Plan:
TRS or ORP Employment Type:
Employee – Full Time Benefits Eligibility:
Benefits Eligible Schedule:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm; must work evenings and weekends as necessary Salary:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience Proposed Starting Date:
02/01/2026 Location:
Athens, GA
EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with accessibility during this search may contact Central HR at
hrweb@uga.edu .
USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia’s core values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do. Additional policy references can be found online at
USG Policy Manual – Section 8.2.18
and
Board Policy 6.5 – Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom .
Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience plus 5 years of professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and 7 years of experience in philanthropy, research & development, sales, business development, or economic development.
A graduate degree from an accredited institution and more than 5 years of experience in philanthropy, research & development, sales, business development, or economic development.
Understanding of higher education’s mission and its intersection with economic development.
Understanding of regional, national, and global industry trends and their implications for university research and education.
Position Summary The Director of Business Engagement is a member of the Office of Business Engagement team and plays a key role in fostering new, significant, long‑term partnerships with industry. The Director focuses on building strategic, long‑term university relationships with prospective and emerging industry partners, identifying opportunities for corporate investment, support, and collaboration, and maintaining strong internal relationships with faculty, staff, and administrators.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies
Understanding of fundraising principles and practices.
Understanding of business development strategies and tactics.
Ability to identify new leads and opportunities for business development and/or partnership.
Ability to establish and steward productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to conceive, organize, and manage complex projects and programs.
Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) and respectfully with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to translate complex ideas into common language.
Ability to navigate complex academic and corporate organizations to accomplish goals.
Ability to create, organize, compare, and interpret data to drive business insights and decisions.
Experience using software programs including Microsoft Office Suite, CRM, databases, website management, research tools, and social media applications.
Experience presenting information to small and large groups of stakeholders.
Experience successfully pitching ideas or products to customers, clients, managers, or other stakeholders.
Experience managing multiple relationships or accounts to foster business development or drive organizational goals.
Experience identifying new leads and opportunities for business development or organizational partnership.
Experience setting, operationalizing, and executing short‑ and long‑term goals for organizational growth.
Experience setting and meeting individual‑level performance metrics.
Experience operating effectively with teams who have various professional and academic experiences.
Additional Division Expectations
Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. Employees will be held accountable for promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting is expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.
Physical Demands
Work in a standard office environment.
Travel in and out of state.
Work nights and weekends as necessary.
Work using electronic mail, telephone, face‑to‑face discussions, and paper correspondence.
Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening.
Organize and establish priorities; remember detail; multi‑task.
Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb.
Job Duties & Responsibilities Relationship Management and Business Development (75%)
Identify and qualify new industry prospect leads for the University, prioritizing businesses and industries in Georgia.
Manage a growing portfolio of major industry prospects to build long‑term, mutually beneficial partnerships that generate philanthropic support, research sponsorship, and student engagement.
Develop a broad understanding of UGA’s philanthropic areas, research expertise, instructional programs, and student activities that have potential connectivity to industry; use this understanding to identify, research, and cultivate new corporate prospects.
Advise faculty, administrators, and unit development directors on industry‑related projects and programs, making company introductions and assisting with funding proposals, business contracts, research agreements, philanthropic solicitations, and stewardship reports.
Plan and attend meetings on and off campus with corporate representatives to build and maintain university‑industry partnerships.
Create annual prospect engagement plans that drive mission‑focused, tangible results and meet the Director of Business Engagement’s annual metrics.
Document all work‑related interactions with industry and faculty in the CRM system, maintaining clear, concise, and proper documentation via quantitative and qualitative data input.
Campus Collaboration (20%)
Collaborate with university colleagues on projects and programs involving industry partners within the director’s portfolio.
Consult with industry‑funded faculty on project management practices, relevant university processes and policies, and industry expectations and priorities.
Meet regularly with campus counterparts to brainstorm and collaborate on new areas of priority within various schools, colleges, and units.
Liaise with cross‑campus partners on behalf of the Office of Business Engagement to identify new leads for industry partnership and opportunities for cultivation and stewardship of existing partners.
Other (5%)
Participate in and support staff meetings, division meetings, and office events and activities.
Represent UGA and grow relationships in the business community by attending association networking functions, obtaining membership to relevant business associations, etc.
Contact Details Recruitment Contact Name: Development & Alumni Relations’ Office of Talent Management Recruitment Contact Email:
dartalent@uga.edu
Seniority Level
Director
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Business Development and Sales
#J-18808-Ljbffr