Assistant Director, Partnerships, Chicago Quantum Exchange

Department

PME Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

About the Department

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is an intellectual hub in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana that advances the science and engineering of quantum information, prepares the quantum workforce, and drives the quantum economy in collaboration with leading universities, national labs, and industry partners. The CQE is based at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and is anchored by the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Northwestern University, and Purdue University. The community includes more than 50 corporate, international, nonprofit, and regional partners.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director (AD) of Partnerships will be responsible for developing and assisting in the management of a portfolio of partners for the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE). The AD will assist in cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships for the CQE and assist in operational planning and execution for various activities related to engagement with industry, non-profit, and other partners, including the development of processes for tracking and streamlining partner engagements.

Responsibilities

• Serves as liaison for multiple CQE partners, interfacing with partners as well as researchers and other stakeholders from CQE member and partner institutions to facilitate engagements around joint projects, sponsored research, talent recruitment and the like.
• Manages standardized administrative and contractual processes for streamlining collaborative agreements, projects, and other such partner engagements, by interfacing with appropriate business and legal representatives from current and future CQE members and partner institutions.
• Manages and helps develop streamlined protocols for collaborative projects, and strategic initiatives with current and prospective partners.
• Uses best practices and a moderate/high level of knowledge of business software tools to create and maintain reports, leveraging and maintaining multiple databases.
• Organizes engagement opportunities between CQE and partners, including virtual and in-person meetings, and workshops. Plans, organizes, and oversees logistics for meetings, workshops, or other engagements. Helps develop background materials, briefings, summaries, and follow-up action items.
• Monitors execution of program operations, ensures that partners adhere to contractual commitments, manages requests for support, and develops materials to assist leadership with partner relations.
• Researches and compiles information on quantum relevant efforts and trends in industry sectors, companies, regional activities and key players to inform strategy for engagement with potential and existing partners.
• Works with others to manage requests for support, prepare required reports, and develop and implement ways to promote, cultivate, and steward foundation activities across campus. Defines and coordinates opportunities for inclusion of foundation representatives in campus activities and special programs, both as cultivation for new grants and as stewardship for existing grants.
• Meets with prospects through personal visits, phone contact, and by promoting program benefits. Helps in developing proposals and raising gifts from corporate donors for all restricted corporate gifts, including identification of opportunities, composing solicitation letters, communication with the prospects, and supervision of the gift acknowledgment process.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Background in business development, customer relationship management, program management, or technology commercialization.
• Familiarity or experience with collaboration management, including NDAs, industry-sponsored research, conflict resolution, leadership engagement, customer engagement, contracts, and intellectual property.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with content management systems such as Salesforce.
• Familiarity with project management, in academic or economic development settings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated leadership, time management skills, proactive approach to problem-solving, and the organization and coordination skills to handle multiple concurrent tasks with deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including outstanding judgment, discretion, strong ethical approach to decision-making, demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts fairly and diplomatically, and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent writing, editing, interviewing, and creative problem-solving skills.
• High levels of collegiality in working with faculty, departmental, and university colleagues
• Work independently, take direction, and achieve consensus.
• Edit and proofread documents at an advanced level.
• Handle public contacts with courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Occasional extended work hours and some weekend days.
• Flexible hybrid office/remote environment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$95,000.00 - $110,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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