Director of Strategic Partnerships & Marketing, Master's Programs (5214C), Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering - #84147

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Departmental Overview

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) at the University of California, Berkeley offers two innovative professional master's degree programs: the Product Development Program (PDP) and the Master of Bioprocess Engineering (MBPE).

The PDP, established in 2006, prepares chemical engineering professionals to transform innovations into commercially successful products across industries like biotechnology, consumer products, and alternative energy. Graduates complete a 9-month program featuring extensive coursework and team-based field projects, with over 400 alumni employed by leading companies such as Apple, Intel, and Gilead Sciences.

The MBPE addresses the growing demand for bioprocessing expertise by bridging academic knowledge with practical industry skills. Designed for students interested in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable chemical production, the program provides hands-on training through industry internships and partnerships with biotechnology companies and the Advanced Biofuels Processing Demonstration Unit.

Both programs reflect UC Berkeley's commitment to providing cutting-edge, industry-aligned graduate education that prepares students to excel in complex, evolving technological landscapes.

Position Summary

Director of Strategic Partnerships & Marketing, Master's Programs aims to drive enrollment growth and financial sustainability for the Product Development Program (PDP) and Master of Bioprocess Engineering Program (MBPE) by spearheading innovative partnerships, executing data-driven marketing strategies, cultivating alumni relationships, and implementing strategic initiatives to attract diverse top talent.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/26/2026.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Enrollment Growth:

• Conduct competitive analyses and market research to uncover opportunities that will support informed decision-making by analyzing key competitors, industry trends, and job market demands, surveying students and alumni, interviewing industry professionals and potential employers, and creating a SWOT analysis for each program.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to enhance each program's offerings, increase enrollment, and diversify the student body through program reviews, curriculum updates, industry partnerships, and targeted recruitment.
• Develop and implement SMART objectives and KPIs for enrollment, fundraising, and revenue, including program-specific targets and growth goals. Create a dashboard with a regular reporting schedule to effectively demonstrate performance and ROI to key stakeholders.

Business Development & Partnerships:

• Build a strong pipeline of prospective students and donors by building relationships with educational institutions, industry leaders, and relevant organizations through networking, outreach, and events.
• Develop and implement innovative, high-impact initiatives for program growth and revenue diversification. Focus on creating strategic partnerships to deliver offerings such as industry-aligned certificate programs, executive education, exchange programs, research projects, case-study competitions, and field trips.
• Create collaborative agreements with key institutions to create seamless pathways for underrepresented minority students into our programs by designing targeted articulation agreements, simplified admissions processes, and dedicated scholarship opportunities to support their educational advancement.
• Assist in the creation and management of industry advisory boards for both programs by recruiting key industry leaders, defining roles, facilitating regular meetings, and leveraging their expertise to shape program direction and enhance student success.
• Work with industry partners and public agencies (e.g. NSF, AMBIC, NIIMBL, BioMADE, etc.) to identify actionable opportunities to collaborate on funded research, fee-based industry-focused workshops and/or short courses, etc.

Fundraising & Alumni Relations:

• Design an alumni relations strategy that includes creating and maintaining an alumni database, developing an event calendar, curating exclusive alumni resources, and implementing an engagement tracking system to strengthen connections and support program initiatives.
• Create and manage an alumni advisory board for both programs by identifying and recruiting influential alumni, developing board rules and meeting schedules, establishing subcommittees for specific initiatives, and implementing a system to measure board impact and effectiveness.
• Establish fundraising initiatives that include targeted campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving programs. Manage relationships with alumni, donors, and industry partners to secure financial support for program development, while tracking progress and effectiveness.
• Work with foundations (e.g. Gates, Bezos, etc.), industry partners (e.g. Amgen, Genentech, etc.), public agencies (e.g. DARPA, DOD, DOE, NIH, NSF, etc.) for funding to support strategic initiatives (e.g. building a Bioprocess Engineering Center in Heathcock Hall @ $20M, endow a professor chair @ $4M, add significant equipment to 170L lab @ $500k, etc.)
• Support Big Give activities.
• Writing/management of proposals and grants.
• Support alumni and industry partner engagement through hosted events (e.g. recruitment fairs, networking events, dinners, etc.), guest lectures (CBE 298B), "pet biomolecule" term project invitations (CBE 170A & 170B).

Marketing & Outreach:

• Lead data-driven marketing initiatives and targeted outreach campaigns across digital platforms to enhance program visibility by conducting digital marketing audits, developing buyer personas for target student segments, creating a content marketing calendar, implementing A/B testing for digital campaigns, and establishing a system for tracking and analyzing marketing ROI.
• Oversee the creation of promotional materials, including video testimonials, infographics, and email templates. Additionally, develop a brand style guide to ensure consistent messaging that effectively communicates each program's unique value proposition to prospective students.
• Design and implement outreach programs to engage underrepresented communities by identifying target groups, developing partnerships with relevant organizations, creating scholarship opportunities, establishing mentorship programs for prospective students, and tracking diversity recruitment progress through established metrics.
• Enhance program visibility and attract top talent by representing our programs at recruitment events and industry conferences. Organize informational sessions and open houses at partner institutions to showcase offerings, gather feedback, and nurture prospective students through effective follow-up strategies.
• Grow general awareness of the programs across both academia and industry.
• Manage websites' content and social media channels showcasing program, students, alumni, and industrial advisory board members.
• Develop and maintain a pitch deck in support of marketing, recruiting, and outreach.
• Sponsorship/presence at key conferences.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement:

• Analyze and report on alumni data to demonstrate program value and inform strategic decision-making, including conducting regular surveys on career outcomes, tracking salary progression, developing case studies on notable achievements, creating visualizations of impact, and establishing a system for ongoing data collection and updates using an appropriate CRM.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports for leadership on strategic goal progress by utilizing standardized templates and schedules to communicate key insights to stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of collaboration across programs, the department, and the college by establishing regular cross-functional team meetings, developing shared goals and KPIs, and creating opportunities for interdepartmental networking and idea-sharing to ensure alignment in achieving strategic objectives.
• Maintain alumni databases (including email lists) including data on outcomes from graduation to present.
• Maintain industry databases (including email list) on companies who have participated in everything from guest lectures to "pet biomolecule" term projects to donations/financial support.
• Solicit feedback from students, alumni, faculty, industrial advisory board, and other stakeholders (e.g. annual surveys, SSGPDP fee proposal, three-year review, etc.)
• Meet regularly with CoC Dean's Office to ensure alignment on program and finances.
• Liaise with Office of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to ensure alignment on program fees & overall finances.
• Liaise with the Committee of Academic Planning & Resource Allocation (CAPRA) and the Graduate Council (GC) to address feedback on three-year review cycles.

Required Qualifications

• Academic background and experience in academic program management, higher education administration, or related field.
• Thorough knowledge of administrative, financial, and strategic planning principles and practices within the UC system or similar organization/system, with strong analytical skills for conducting market research and competitive analyses.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong ability to think creatively and independently on complex concepts, with demonstrated experience in business development, partnership building, and innovative marketing strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate across a variety of groups and manage complex projects to achieve results.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers.
• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Solid event planning, fundraising, and alumni management experience.
• Doctorate degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $91,500.00 - $140,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research and Public Service Professionals, represented by the UAW.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.