Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $53,500 - Midpoint: $66,900 (Salaried E8)
Department/Organization: 750404 - AL Mobility & Power Research Center
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Strategic Research Partnership Program Manager builds relationships with potential stakeholders in order to develop strategic partnerships and consortiums that foster innovation in research topics and industry sectors identified through the work of Innovate Alabama, defined by the EPSCoR Science and Technology Roadmap, and promoted by the Alabama Department of Commerce’s “Next” campaign. Facilitates the creation of transformational partnerships and consortiums that partner outcomes from impactful research with the critical needs of industry in support of community, state, and federal priorities. Ensures exceptional experiences for stakeholders throughout the process (contract execution, onboarding, project definition, program events and activities, engagement with students, prototype/project hand-off, final assessment, etc.) and delivery of member benefits and recognition.
Additional Department Summary: Leads the formation, execution, and delivery of industry–academic research partnerships at AMP, with a focus on power systems, batteries, and electrification technologies. Serves as the central integrator between industry partners, faculty, shared research infrastructure, and university administration—ensuring technical rigor, schedule control, compliance, and successful delivery across complex, multi-phase research programs. Supports Integrated Venture Development (IVD) in Identify and qualify industry partnership opportunities aligned with AMP’s power and battery research strengths. Translates industry needs into executable research scopes in collaboration with faculty and technical staff. Supports IVD in structured research programs that align industry objectives with faculty expertise, lab capabilities, and student/post-doc engagement. Coordinates contracts, budgets, scopes of work, and approvals with PIs, deans’ offices, and research administration with IVD. Maintains ongoing coordination with deans, department heads, faculty, post-docs, and students to align priorities, workload, and staffing. Aligns faculty labs, shared facilities, equipment, power systems, safety requirements, and materials with project needs. Develops and manages integrated project plans balancing academic calendars, student appointments, faculty effort, and industry delivery timelines. Coordinates multi-phase research execution across testing, validation, and analysis activities. Leads technical reviews and adapt scope, milestones, staffing, or contract terms based on research outcomes. Ensure compliance with institutional requirements including EHS, export control, IP, HR, finance, and research administration.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of experience; OR master's degree and two (2) years of experience.
Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Must have valid U.S. driver's license. Must be at least 19 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report that is in compliance with University policies. Applicants under the age of 21 will have some driving restrictions.
Skills and Knowledge: Strategic partnership development and relationship management skills. Ability to collaborate and engage with interdisciplinary faculty and staff. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple initiatives in a dynamic research environment. Ability to make data-informed decision-making and strategic alignment. Strong understanding of industry-funded research models, contracts, and compliance. Ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects with competing priorities and timelines.
Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree or PhD in engineering, energy systems, power electronics, batteries, or related fields. Seven (7) years of experience in industry partnerships, applied research, or complex technical project/program management. Experience in power systems, battery research, EV infrastructure, or electrification programs. Familiarity with university research administration and sponsored programs. Experience with managing multi-phase R&D programs with industry sponsors. Experience with research agreement coordination and execution support. Experience with proposal development and execution readiness assessment. Experience coordinating faculty, researchers, and academic leadership.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
