Executive Director and Chief Research Partnerships Officer

The CRPO will build productive relations between U of A faculty and staff and senior leaders in private-sector corporations, national laboratories and other external entities. In addition, the CRPO will work with Tech Launch Arizona to facilitate intellectual property negotiations, and with others across campus to streamline the executions of NDAs, MOA/MOUs, etc. In addition to a focus on corporate and national laboratory research partnerships, the CRPO will work closely with the UA Foundation (UAF) to help develop and execute strategies for research funding growth from philanthropic foundations. The CRPO will assist the Senior Vice President, Research & Partnership (SVPRP) in representing the university in economic development activities in Southern Arizona and the Phoenix metro area.

To accomplish these objectives, the CRPO will partner and work closely with and leverage the capabilities of ORP’s Office of Research Development Services, Office of Research Operations, and Research MarComm Office.

The CRPO leads a staff of professionals including individuals with PhDs, JDs, and MBAs and is responsible for organizational planning, hiring, and evaluation of this staff.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

The Chief Research Partnerships Officer (CRPO) is a senior-level administrator responsible for leading the Office of Research Partnerships and Economic Development (ORPED) within the University’s Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP). Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships, the CRPO will lead a dedicated team focused on:

• Serving as the portal to the university and concierge service for private sector companies, national laboratories, ecosystem innovators, and others as appropriate.
• Seeking out, developing and sustaining corporate partnerships for sponsored research, as well as helping build an institutional culture that develops large-scale strategic corporate partnerships that augments funding for the research enterprise.
• Working across all of U of A’s colleges to enhance the university’s ability to engage strategically with private sector companies and national laboratories interested in research partnerships that accelerate the growth of sponsored research and lead to the creation of new technologies and/or intellectual property.
• Identifying and resolving institutional barriers to such partnerships, including streamlining the execution of agreements and intellectual property negotiations.
• Working with state, local, and community stakeholders, chambers of commerce, and other economic development groups to help attract new companies into the Tucson metro area based upon the U of A’s research excellence and strategic priorities, thereby greatly enhancing the role the university plays in the economy of Southern Arizona and the State.

Additional specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Leads and collaborates U of A leadership (Deans, Department Heads, etc.) and with faculty across campus on the planning, development and implementation of strategic initiatives and programs that support the university's strategic imperatives of student success, research with impact, and meaningful engagement.
• Develops Key Performance Indicators to measure performance against established goals for industry, national laboratory, foundations, and innovation ecosystem partnerships and provides regular reporting on progress to milestones.
• Ensures regular follow up on emerging and established partnerships to ensure delivery against objectives.
• Develops and maintains a set of appropriate US peer programs and associated metrics.

Knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Excellent oral/written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend scientific and technical systems ns to couple them to business needs and return on investment.
• Track record of creativity, flexibility, and initiative in planning, launching, maintaining continuity, and successfully executing on research and economic development partnerships.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and institution of higher education rules and regulations.
  

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required and a minimum of 11 years of related work experience, including 7 years of managerial experience, preferably in large complex institutions or organizations, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Requires experience in leading multiple teams, projects, programs, and/or functions.

• A master’s degree or higher in a scientific, business, or other related discipline (MBA, JD, PhD) with at least ten years of relevant experience.