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ASSIST VP, EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS

Job Title: ASSIST VP, EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS
Job Code: 2620
FLSA: E
Job Level: 98
Revised Date: 03/21/2022
Job Family: JF 28

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Occupational Summary

Directs and facilitates the identification, development, and execution of effective research and educational partnerships with companies, research organizations, corporate foundations, and government groups. Manages and directs the Office of External Partnerships (OEP), reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The Executive Director serves as Duke's senior authorized representative for outreach to third parties wishing to develop partnerships with Duke, and acts as OEP's lead representative for coordination of University implementation and stewardship of these partnerships.

Work Performed

Conduct outreach and make initial contact with potential partners and, in consultation with potential partners, arrange meeting format and Duke representation.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty at Duke who do or can participate in external partnerships; assist faculty in identification of corporate partners for their research.

Oversee OEP's negotiation of partnership agreement terms with various internal and external contacts and stakeholders.

Advise staff on alternative solutions to contractual issues that arise in the context of negotiations and attempt to reconcile the often- conflicting perspectives of academia and industry within established guidelines and in a manner that complements and supports Duke's overall academic mission.

Maintain OEP as the primary and most visible point of contact for external entities considering research and educational partnerships with Duke University faculty, staff, and students.

Produce, in collaboration with the Vice President for Research and Innovation and OEP staff, the Office of Translation and Commercialization, and other related offices, the OEP multi-year strategic plan, and a workplan, budget, and performance metrics on an annual basis.

Recommend to the Vice President for Research and Innovation any changes in policy or new policies that may be required to facilitate OEP's mission.

Lead meetings contributing to the continuous improvement of OEP, its policies, processes, and operations.

Establish and maintain appropriate electronic systems to track partnership agreements and corporate and foundation interactions with Duke in a timely and accurate manner. Use OEP's tracking tools to analyze qualitative and quantitative measures for continual improvement of OEP performance to assess OEP impact on University corporate research.

Oversee preparation of reports to partners detailing accomplishments and progress on agreements.

Manage, direct, and supervise OEP's operations including direct oversight of senior OEP staff; the quality and usefulness of OEP databases, information systems, and communications; and day-to-day functions of the OEP office.

Delegate responsibilities to OEP staff.

Establish mechanisms for OEP to work collaboratively with other Duke central offices to maximize the effectiveness of each partnership. This includes the Office of Translation and Commercialization, Schools and Centers, Development, and Career Services in forming partnership terms and deliverables and legal, ORC and Sponsored Research in reviewing agreement terms and executing agreements.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

Work requires a B.A. or B.S.; preferably an advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D., and/or M.D.)

Experience

Ten years of experience in developing partnerships with a variety of entities including companies, academic centers, and government institutions. Experience developing research partnerships with academic institutions is highly desirable.

Skills


The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.


Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.


Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.