(Hybrid) Director of Corporate Relations and Business Engagement - Corporate and Government Relations

The Office of Corporate and Government Relations at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Director of Corporate Relations and Business Engagement.

About the Opportunity

The Director of Corporate Relations and Business Engagement serves as the primary liaison between industry partners and West Virginia University, positioning the university as a strategic partner for business and industry. The Corporate Relations Office functions as industry's gateway to WVU, connecting companies with the university's faculty expertise, research capabilities, academic programs, and student talent.

The Director's role is responsible for building and strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships with regional, national, and global corporations. The Director works across the university to align corporate interests with institutional priorities in areas such as research collaboration, workforce development, student recruitment, campus engagement, economic development, and strategic initiatives.

The Director collaborates with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders, including business, industry, government, and non-profit leaders, to develop partnerships that advance WVU's mission as a land-grant research institution while creating opportunities for students, faculty, and industry partners.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Corporate Partnership Development

• Serve as the central point of entry for companies seeking to engage with West Virginia University.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with corporate and industry partners.
• Develop strategic partnerships that align corporate goals with WVU research, education, strategic, and innovation initiatives.
• Facilitate introductions and collaborations between corporate leaders and WVU faculty, researchers, and academic units.

Business and Industry Engagement and Strategic Collaboration

• Identify industry and corporate entities that strategically align to WVU's core competencies and areas of excellence. Connect companies with university expertise, research capabilities, and technology commercialization opportunities.
• Drive industry partnerships to increase sponsored research, lab collaborations, consortia participation, and innovation initiatives.
• Promote WVU as a premier partner for solving industry challenges through research and applied innovation.

Workforce and Talent Pipeline Development

• Work with corporate partners to understand workforce needs and challenges to strengthen recruitment pathways for WVU students and alumni.
• Collaborate with career services and academic units to connect employers with student talent through career fairs, internships, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Support initiatives that position WVU as a leading source of workforce talent for industry.

Campus Engagement and Corporate Visibility

• Coordinate opportunities for corporate partners to engage with the WVU community, including events, campus visits, sponsorships, and industry forums.
• Facilitate corporate participation in advisory boards, industry partnerships, and campus initiatives.
• Promote opportunities for companies to build brand presence and engagement with WVU students and faculty.

Economic Development and External Partnerships

• Partner with regional and state economic development organizations to support business growth and innovation.
• Advance partnerships that contribute to economic development in West Virginia and beyond.
• Represent WVU at industry events, conferences, and corporate meetings.

Strategic Coordination Across the University

• Collaborate with university leadership, colleges, research centers, and advancement teams to align corporate engagement strategies.
• Ensure a coordinated approach to partnerships across multiple university units.
• Track and report outcomes related to engagement activities and partnerships.
• Support grant applications through either securing external partnerships or aligning campus partners with external entities to pursue federal, state, or foundation funding.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of significant professional experience in corporate relations, business development, economic development, or external partnerships.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated success building and managing strategic relationships with business and corporate leaders or industry partners.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across a complex organization and with complex relationships and sensitive information.
• Understanding and experience in best practices related to university-industry engagement.

Core Competencies

• Strategic partnership development
• Corporate engagement and relationship management
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Economic development and workforce strategy

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, finance, public administration, higher education, public relations or a related field.
• Experience working with or within higher education institutions.
• Knowledge of corporate-sponsored research partnerships or technology commercialization.
• Familiarity with regional and national industry sectors relevant to WVU's research strengths.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.