• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Morningside
• Salary Range: 76,000 - 85,000

Position Summary 

The Strategic Partnerships Manager supports Columbia Engineering’s industry and private partnerships in three primary ways. First, the role serves as the front-line steward of the school’s research partners, ensuring a consistently positive and professional experience for both new and existing collaborators. Second, the role functions as the partnership’s information manager, responsible for identifying and researching prospective partners, maintaining accurate and comprehensive records, and reporting on partnership activity and impact both internally and externally. Third, the role helps integrate partners and relationships into the broader work of the Office for Research and the School of Engineering by supporting strategic initiatives, programs, and collaborative activities that advance the school’s research, education, and translational mission.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both internal operations and the external visibility of Columbia Engineering and its partnerships. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, adaptable, and quick to learn, with a strong commitment to excellent customer service, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving. The role also provides opportunities for professional growth in project and program management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnership development.

The Strategic Partnerships Manager will report to the Director of Strategic Collaborations and serve as a key member of Columbia Engineering’s Office for Research, contributing to the effective coordination, stewardship, and expansion of the school’s external partnership ecosystem.

Responsibilities

Industry and Private Partner Stewardship (50%):

• Meetings – Schedule and coordinate meetings with partners, Engineering faculty and staff, and collaborators. Prepare pre-meeting briefings, manage meeting minutes and report-outs, and proactively organize regular outreach to support strong, ongoing partner relationships.
• Monitoring and Reporting – Collect and analyze data and prepare regular impact and progress reports for partners, and other materials that support Columbia’s stewardship efforts. Track partnership health, deliverable execution, and partner satisfaction through check-ins, surveys, and other assessment tools.
• Events Coordination – In collaboration with the Office of Strategic Events and Programming, support the planning and execution of partner-facing events. Manage logistics, attendee and presenter lists, communications, data collection, and post-event reporting.
• Inquiry Management – Serve as the primary point of contact for current and prospective partners, ensuring timely, accurate, and professional communication both internally and externally.
• Marketing Materials and Communications – Partner with the Engineering Communications team to plan, design, and distribute written and visual materials that highlight research partnership opportunities, showcase outcomes, and promote Columbia Engineering’s research enterprise.
• Stewardship and Financial Operations – Work with the Finance team and Engineering Development & Alumni Relations to ensure timely invoicing, track program-related expenses, and maintain compliance with University policies and applicable regulations.

Partnership Program Information Management (25%):

• Partner Research – Conduct market research to identify prospective partners, including key contacts and areas of alignment with school-wide priorities and initiatives. Perform due diligence on potential partners to assess fit and mitigate risk.
• Internal Partnership Tracking – Maintain internal relationship databases and CRM systems to ensure accurate, current tracking of partner information, engagement history, and activity.
• Faculty and Center Information Management – Maintain and regularly update information on Columbia Engineering faculty, research programs, and Centers to support effective partner engagement and outreach.
• Operational Documentation Management – In collaboration with Strategic Partnerships leadership, develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures, agreements, workflows, and program materials related to research partnership management.
• Internal Reporting – Collect and synthesize data from partners, faculty, and other stakeholders to prepare reports for the Office for Research and Columbia Engineering leadership on partnership status, relationship health, and strategic insights.
• Faculty Training - Coordinate training sessions for Engineering faculty to learn about private funding opportunities and strategies.

Strategic Initiative Coordination (20%):

Where school-wide strategic initiatives or programs involve external partners (e.g., women's health initiative, Gotham Foundry), this role will:

• Coordinate stakeholders by organizing meetings and other convenings to ensure alignment and effective collaboration.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for program participants and stakeholders, maintaining regular communication to identify, address, and resolve issues.
• Support program execution by aligning timelines and deliverables, maintaining clear documentation (including project trackers and dashboards), and ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Manage feedback and reporting by collecting and synthesizing input from partners and program participants to inform strategic decision-making and produce regular impact reports.

Other related responsibilities (5%):

• Perform additional duties as needed to support the overall success of the Strategic Partnerships team, including contributing to special projects, advancing emerging priorities, and assisting with school-wide initiatives that strengthen Columbia Engineering’s external engagement and impact.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and or equivalent.
• Minimum of two to four years of relevant experience in project or program administration, partnership management, or a comparable operational role.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, principal investigators, administrative staff, and external partners in a team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail, supported by strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills are a must.
• Proven initiative, sound judgment, and discretion, with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple responsibilities under pressure.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines while maintaining accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in spreadsheets and productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel) required.
• Experience with CRM or database platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Airtable, Notion) strongly preferred, or demonstrated ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Experience working in a university or research environment is preferred.
• Event planning or coordination experience is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.