Manager of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

Agency

Department

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges.

We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Manager serves as a strategic leader responsible for identifying, developing, and managing partnerships that advance workforce development, industry engagement, and organizational growth. This position works closely with industry, government, educational institutions, and economic development partners to expand workforce solutions, generate new business opportunities, and support revenue growth aligned with the mission of Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). The position plays a key role in strengthening partnerships, expanding market presence, and advancing innovative workforce and technology initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute business development strategies that support the growth of workforce training, technical services, sponsored projects, and industry engagement initiatives.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities with private industry, government agencies, economic development organizations, workforce boards, and educational partners.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Conduct market research and industry analysis to identify emerging trends, workforce demands, and strategic growth opportunities.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with executives, industry leaders, government officials, workforce partners, and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal subject matter experts to develop workforce training solutions that address industry needs.
• Support expansion of workforce programs in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, energy, transportation, semiconductors, robotics, automation, and other emerging technologies.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for apprenticeships, credentialing programs, customized training, and workforce pipeline development.
• Develop opportunities that contribute to contract training revenue, fee-for-service activities, technical services, and sponsored project growth.
• Assist in the development of proposals, budgets, statements of work, and partnership agreements.
• Collaborate with leadership to establish growth targets and business development metrics.
• Negotiation & Deal Closing: Develop persuasive sales presentations, proposals, and contracts. Negotiate pricing and agreement terms to secure profitable partnerships.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the marketing, product, and technical teams to ensure proposed solutions meet client requirements and strategic goals.
• Monitor pipeline performance, track KPIs, and provide accurate revenue forecasting to leadership.
• Manages and defines large projects ensuring the mission, vision, and critical business requirements are met.
• Establish and execute project work plans, goals, objectives, measures, schedules, risk assessments and timelines.
• Identify and allocate appropriate resources to ensure the project is completed within committed time, scope, and budget.
• Establishes strategic alignment and defines stakeholders. Applies current best practices in vendor selection, contract negotiation, and project lifecycle.
• Manages project portfolios and resources in line with business strategies and in accordance with project management standards.
• Facilitates meetings and communicate with stakeholders, project team, and management to guide and provide updates on project activities. Manages project quality control and assurance. Review and update scopes and timelines if needed.
• Manage and monitor project funds. Approve project expenditures, monitor cash flow, and ensure that financial records are up to date. Prepare status reports and presentations. Meet budgetary objectives and adjust project constraints based on financial analysis.
• Review deliverables prepared. Enforce project standards to minimize exposure and risks. Ensure project decisions are documented and accountable. Resolve and escalate issues.
• Evaluates project against objectives and measures when complete.
• This position requires direct engagement with minors and youth during program activities. The employee is expected to fully adhere to all university policies and state regulations pertaining to the safety and protection of minors.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What We Need:

• Master’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight years of related experience

What is Helpful:

• Experience in business development, industry engagement, workforce development, economic development, engineering, or technical services.

Work Location:

• Main Campus – College Station, TX.

About Workforce Development:

The Workforce Development Division of Texas A&M Engineering will be the premier provider of programs, conferences, professional development, and educational opportunities to prepare experts, employees and advocates for STEM-related fields. The Workforce Development Division has six programs: Spark! PK-12 Engineering Education Outreach, ReCENT, Engineering Academies, TEES EDGE Professional Education, Regional Divisions, Conference and Events Planning Services. Through these programs, the division creates and coordinates opportunities worldwide to hone expertise among engineering professionals and train or retrain those interested in emerging engineering fields while concurrently engaging with PK-collegiate educators and students to encourage future engineers.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Helpful Applicant Information

Required Materials for Application:

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
• Letter of interest

Applications received by Texas A&M Engineering must have all required job application data entered.

Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain a high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
• Recognize and reward exceptional performance based on individual and team contributions to the growth and success of Texas A&M Engineering.
• Offer total rewards through flexible benefits, professional development, and work-life balance. Maintain an equitable and transparent process for compensation decisions.
• Support, reinforce, and align compensation decisions with budgetary and financial strategies to ensure growth and sustainability.

Employment Eligibility Verification

• If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in delay of start date.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.