Manager Strategic Partnerships

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager of Strategic Partnerships will play a pivotal role in expanding and managing University Lab Partners’ network of corporate, institutional, and community partners. This part-time role focuses on cultivating collaborative relationships that advance ULP’s mission and enhance its Lab Incubator, Workforce Development, and Startup Accelerator programs. 

Reporting to the Director of Venture Acceleration, the Manager will support inbound leads for partnerships and sponsorships - both paid and in-kind - and will help design partnership opportunities that create shared value for ULP, its resident companies, and the broader life science ecosystem. The ideal candidate is a relationship builder with a passion for connecting organizations, fostering collaboration, and supporting innovation in life sciences and medtech.

While the role is initially part-time, we may consider converting to a full-time role in the future.The compensation range for this position is an hourly rate $48.00 to $52.00 for an estimated 20 hours per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Partnership Development & Ecosystem Engagement

• Support inbound partnership and sponsorship inquiries.
• Qualify, evaluate, and prioritize potential partnerships for alignment with ULP’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders across industry, academia, professional services, and government sectors.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative initiatives that strengthen the regional life science innovation ecosystem.

SPONSORSHIP & PROGRAM SUPPORT

• Develop sponsorship proposals and partnership packages that align with ULP’s programs and events.
• Coordinate the fulfillment of sponsorship benefits, ensuring partners receive recognition and engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with program and marketing teams to integrate partner visibility and impact storytelling into events and communications.

RELATIONSHIP & STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Maintain ongoing communication with current partners and sponsors to foster long-term relationships.
• Serve as a liaison between partners and ULP program teams, facilitating meaningful collaboration and mutual value.
• Support co-branded initiatives, workshops, and community engagement activities with partners.

STRATEGY & OPERATIONS

• Support the development of a comprehensive partnership and sponsorship strategy to advance ULP’s mission.
• Maintain partnership pipelines, track outcomes, and manage data in ULP’s CRM system.
• Research and identify emerging partnership opportunities, industry trends, and best practices in innovation ecosystem building.

KEY PARTNER & SPONSOR SEGMENTS

• Medical device and biotechnology manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical and life science research companies
• Laboratory technology and scientific equipment providers
• Professional service firms (legal, accounting, IP, regulatory, etc.)
• Healthcare and life science consulting organizations
• Academic, civic, and community partners

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in partnership development, business development, or ecosystem engagement with large corporations and service providers - preferably in life sciences, innovation, or nonprofit sectors.
• Proven ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) and experience managing partner pipelines is preferred.
• Passion for life science innovation, community building, and advancing regional economic development.