Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations

North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University

Sales & Business Development, Operations · Full-time

Posted on Sep 19, 2026
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Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations

Posting Details

Position Information
Position/Classification Title Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations
Working Title Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations
Position Number 617514
FLSA Exempt
Appointment Type Permanent - Full Time
Tenure Track No
FTE 1 = 40 hours/week, 12 months
If time limited, duration date
Department Hiring Range The salary is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate’s educational background, relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.
EEO-1 Category Professionals
SOC Code 21-1099 - Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
Position Overview
Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight!
Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.

An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight.
Visit NCCU.edu.
Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits available to NCCU permanent employees include the following and more:

  • Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
  • Community Service Leave
  • NC State – Health Benefits
  • NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
  • 11-12 Paid Holidays
  • Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
  • Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Campus Recreation Center Discount
  • University Bookstore Discount and more.
Primary Function of Organizational Unit
North Carolina Central University, with a strong tradition of teaching, research, and service, prepares students to become global leaders and practitioners who transform communities. The Office of Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development serves as North Carolina Central University’s central enterprise for advancing research, innovation, strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and economic development. The unit connects the University’s academic and research strengths with industry, government, community, philanthropic, and economic development partners to create opportunities that expand research capacity, foster innovation, support commercialization, strengthen workforce development, and contribute to regional and statewide economic growth.
The division provides strategic leadership and coordination for the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), Biological and Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI), Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER),, while also supporting partnership development, external engagement, business and financial operations, and related institutional initiatives. Through these functions, the Division works to expand externally funded and industry-engaged research, facilitate the translation of university discoveries and expertise into real-world applications, develop workforce-aligned opportunities for students and faculty, and position NCCU as a key partner in the innovation and economic development ecosystem of the Research Triangle, North Carolina, and beyond.
Primary Purpose of Position
The Associate Vice Chancellor for Partnership Development & Operations (AVC) provides senior administrative, operational, and partnership-development leadership within North Carolina Central University’s Division of Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development.
Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development (VCPED), the AVC is responsible for translating the strategic priorities established by the Vice Chancellor into executable partnerships, projects, operational plans, and measurable outcomes.
The AVC manages the Division’s business, finance, administrative, partnership-development, external-engagement, and operational functions and provides coordinated operational support to the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), the Biological and Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI), and the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER).
The AVC works closely with institute directors, faculty, University administrative offices, industry representatives, economic-development entities, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders to develop and advance partnership opportunities consistent with priorities established by the Vice Chancellor.
A central responsibility of the position is ensuring that external opportunities move efficiently from initial engagement through internal coordination, agreement development, implementation, financial and administrative management, assessment, and continued relationship development.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of partnership development, business operations, organizational administration, and project management.
  • Knowledge of higher education, research administration, industry engagement, economic development, and/or corporate relations.
  • Knowledge of budgeting, financial administration, resource management, and operational planning.
  • Knowledge of developing and managing external partnerships, agreements, collaborative initiatives, and stakeholder relationships.
  • Ability to identify, cultivate, and advance strategic partnerships with industry, government, research organizations, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other external stakeholders.
  • Ability to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, projects, timelines, deliverables, and measurable outcomes.
  • Ability to manage complex, multi-faceted projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to establish effective administrative processes, workflows, operating procedures, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Ability to analyze operational and partnership data, identify trends and opportunities, and make recommendations to support organizational effectiveness.
  • Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with university leaders, faculty, researchers, industry representatives, government entities, and community and economic-development organizations.
  • Strong written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, deadlines, and competing demands effectively.
  • Ability to communicate complex research, technical, operational, and partnership concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and exercise sound judgment in a complex, multi-unit organizational environment.
  • Ability to provide effective leadership, supervision, coordination, and direction to professional and administrative personnel.
  • Ability to identify operational challenges, develop solutions, and implement process improvements.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and demonstrate professionalism when working with sensitive institutional, financial, partnership, and organizational matters.
  • Ability to promote a responsive, collaborative, and service-oriented culture while advancing the strategic priorities of the Division.
Minimum Education/Experience
  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution in business administration, public administration, higher education, science, engineering, technology, economic development, organizational leadership, or a related field.
  • Significant progressively responsible professional experience involving business operations, partnership development, higher-education administration, industry engagement, economic development, research administration, corporate relations, or a related area.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising professional and administrative personnel.
  • Experience with budgeting, financial administration, resource management, or organizational operations.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain productive relationships with external organizations.
  • Strong organizational, project-management, written communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within a complex organizational environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Doctoral or other terminal degree.
  • Ten or more years of progressively responsible professional experience, including leadership experience.
  • Experience within higher education, research institutions, industry, government, economic development, or technology-based organizations.
  • Experience supporting university-industry partnerships.
  • Knowledge of biotechnology, biomanufacturing, biomedical research, pharmaceutical sciences, artificial intelligence, data science, healthcare, or related sectors.
  • Experience supporting industry-sponsored research or collaborative research agreements.
  • Experience in budget administration and operational management.
  • Experience developing workforce-development partnerships.
  • Familiarity with the Research Triangle’s industry, research, innovation, and economic-development ecosystem.
Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation
Pre-Employment Requirement
Pre-Employment Requirements:
  • You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application.
  • Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD 214 form or those seeking National Guard Preference must attach as NG23A form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting.
  • Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks, and education/license verification prior to employment.
  • North Carolina Central University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Consistent with the policy of the State of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) reaffirms that it has been, and will continue to be, the policy of this University to be an equal opportunity employer. North Carolina Central University is committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibits discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. Any individual alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot grieve beyond the University’s internal grievance process. In keeping with this policy, and to further the principle of equal opportunity, all other personnel matters such as recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, compensation, performance appraisal, disciplinary actions, benefits, transfers, separations, reduction in force, grievance procedures, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs will also continue to be administered in accordance with this policy.
Work Location Fully On-site (dedicated office at Duty Station)
Primary Responsibilities and Duties
Function Partnership Development and Execution
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
  • Develop and maintain a portfolio of prospective and active partnerships with industry, government, research organizations, economic-development entities, healthcare organizations, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders.
  • Identify external organizations whose research, workforce, innovation, technology, talent-development, or economic-development needs align with NCCU capabilities.
  • Conduct targeted outreach and relationship development with prospective partners, particularly throughout Durham, Research Triangle Park, the Triangle region, and North Carolina.
  • Develop partnership opportunities consistent with priorities established by the VCPED and facilitate movement of those opportunities from concept to implementation.
  • Coordinate initial and follow-up meetings between external organizations and NCCU faculty, researchers, institute leadership, and University administrators.
  • Organize external partner visits, laboratory tours, research presentations, industry roundtables, workshops, and other engagement activities.
  • Develop opportunities for external partners to engage NCCU through:
  • Collaborative research
  • Industry-sponsored research
  • Workforce-development initiatives
  • Laboratory and facility utilization
  • Community and economic-development initiatives
  • Work with appropriate University offices to facilitate development and routing of memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements, sponsored-research agreements, facility-use arrangements, and other partnership instruments.
  • Maintain an active partnership-development pipeline documenting prospects, opportunities, responsible parties, status, next actions, anticipated outcomes, and implementation requirements.
  • Manage ongoing partner relationships at the working and operational levels and identify opportunities to expand successful collaborations.
Function Division Business, Finance, and Administrative Operations
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
  • Supervise personnel responsible for business, finance, administrative operations, partnership support, and related services within the Division.
  • Provide leadership and coordination for budget development, expenditure monitoring, financial forecasting, resource planning, and fiscal reporting.
  • Work with the Business & Finance Manager and assigned business personnel to ensure timely and accurate administration of Division resources.
  • Establish consistent business and administrative processes across the Division, where appropriate.
  • Coordinate administrative support for BRITE, BBRI, IAIER, Research & Technology Transfer, and other initiatives within the VCPED portfolio.
  • Coordinate procurement, purchasing, travel, contracts, personnel actions, administrative approvals, and related business processes in collaboration with appropriate University offices.
  • Coordinate resource requirements associated with new partnerships, research initiatives, workforce-development programs, events, and externally funded projects.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline administrative processes and improve coordination across the Division.
  • Establish operating procedures, workflows, timelines, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms for recurring Division functions.
  • Help ensure compliance with applicable University policies, procedures, and administrative requirements.
Function BRITE, BBRI, IAIER, and Research & Technology Transfer Coordination
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
  • Work regularly with the Directors of BRITE, BBRI, IAIER, and Research & Technology Transfer to understand partnership opportunities, operational needs, resource requirements, and implementation challenges.
  • Help translate the research capabilities, technical expertise, specialized equipment, facilities, programs, and workforce strengths of the institutes into understandable value propositions for external partners.
  • Connect prospective companies and organizations with appropriate institute directors, faculty researchers, laboratories, technical personnel, and University resources.
  • Support partnership development associated with BRITE capabilities in areas such as biotechnology, biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical sciences, drug discovery, workforce development, and related life-sciences fields.
  • Support partnership development associated with BBRI capabilities in biomedical research, health sciences, translational research, pharmaceutical research, public health, and related areas.
  • Support partnership development associated with IAIER capabilities in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, responsible AI, emerging technologies, workforce development, and applied AI.
  • Identify potential interdisciplinary opportunities involving two or more institutes or academic units.
  • Coordinate the operational and administrative requirements associated with cross-institute initiatives.
  • Facilitate opportunities for companies, startups, and other external organizations to appropriately access NCCU research facilities, laboratories, specialized equipment, technical expertise, and research capabilities.
Function Division Operations and Project Management
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
  • Translate decisions and priorities of the Vice Chancellor into implementation plans, timelines, responsibilities, and measurable deliverables.
  • Coordinate major Division projects involving multiple institutes, administrative units, faculty groups, or external organizations.
  • Establish project-management processes for major partnership and operational initiatives.
  • Monitor deadlines, milestones, deliverables, risks, and dependencies.
  • Coordinate implementation meetings involving appropriate internal and external stakeholders.
  • Track agreements and partnership initiatives moving through University administrative processes.
  • Coordinate Division-wide meetings, operational reviews, and project-status discussions as directed by the Vice Chancellor.
  • Ensure that commitments made to external partners are communicated internally and appropriately tracked.
  • Promote a responsive and service-oriented culture within the Division.
  • Develop standard operating procedures for recurring partnership-development, administrative, and operational activities.
  • Coordinate major events, forums, industry-engagement activities, and special initiatives assigned to the Division.
Function Performance Measurement, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
  • Develop and maintain operational and partnership dashboards and monitor key measures
  • Analyze partnership and operational data to identify emerging issues, opportunities, and areas requiring improvement.
  • Provide recommendations regarding resource requirements, process improvements, partnership opportunities, and operational priorities.
  • Maintain appropriate records of significant Division partnership and operational activities.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number EPA03575P
Open Date 09/18/2026
Priority Applicant Consideration Date
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Date Position Available
Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
Optional Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Unofficial Transcripts (official required from selected candidate)
  3. DD-214 (Veterans Only)
  4. List of References
  5. NGB23A or NGB22/DD256 (National Guard Only)
  6. Licenses and/or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. How did you learn about this job opening?
    • Direct E-mail
    • Referral
    • NCCU Careers Website
    • Other Website (please specify):
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