Director of Partnerships

Job Summary:The Director of Partnerships will be a key leader in the development and Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV). This senior-level role is responsible for building, nurturing, and expanding strategic relationships with external partners, with a particular focus on research and technology centers, and for significantly increasing the level of collaboration with KFUPM. The Director will lead a dedicated team to develop, manage, and monitor the performance of these partnerships, ensuring they contribute to the Zone's mission of fostering innovation, research commercialization, and economic development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnerships and Relationship Building:Develop and execute a comprehensive partnership strategy aligned with the DTV’s long-term goals.Proactively identify, cultivate, and secure new relationships with leading research institutions, technology centers, corporate R&D divisions, and government agencies.Serve as the primary liaison for KFUPM, working closely with faculty, researchers, and administration to identify collaboration opportunities, co-create programs, and facilitate technology transfer.2. Leadership and Team Management:Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team responsible for partnership development, program management, and performance monitoring.Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and professional development plans for the team.Foster a collaborative and results-driven team culture that is focused on exceeding partnership objectives.3. Program Development and Management:Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to co-develop innovative programs, joint research initiatives, shared labs, and co-located R&D facilities.Ensure that all partnership agreements are structured to be mutually beneficial, scalable, and aligned with the Zone's mission.Oversee the end-to-end management of partnership programs, from ideation and negotiation to implementation and launch.4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting:Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for all partnerships and collaboration initiatives. These may include metrics such as:Number of joint research projects initiated.Number of co-authored publications.Patents filed or licensed.Startups created or supported.Investment attracted .Student and faculty engagement levels.Regularly analyze partnership performance data and prepare reports for senior management and the DTV leadership team.Use performance data to inform strategic decisions, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the value of DTV’s stakeholders.5. Budget and Resource Management:Develop and manage the partnerships budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support strategic initiatives.Identify and pursue funding opportunities, grants, and sponsorships to support collaborative projects.Qualifications and Experience:Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Science, Engineering, Public Policy). A Master's degree or Ph.D. is highly desirable.Minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior business development, partnerships, or external relations role, preferably within a research, technology, or innovation-focused environment.Proven track record of building and managing complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships with universities, research centers, and corporate entities.Deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem, including technology commercialization, intellectual property, and academic-industry collaboration.Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high-performing team.Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.Strong analytical skills with the ability to define KPIs, measure performance, and report on outcomes.Ability to work strategically and tactically in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.