External Partnerships Manager

About the job

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) was founded in 2026 by joining the School of Information and Library Science (1931) and the School of Data Science and Society (2022). SDIS brings together longstanding excellence in information and library science with leadership in data science, including computational and statistical methods, and societal applications.

Home to a top ranked library and information science program, SDIS is recognized for strong teaching, research and service and is the home to the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) and the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life (CITAP). The School teaches and trains undergraduate and graduate students in data science, health informatics, information science and library science, as well as offers certificates for adult learners.

SDIS conducts research and scholarship across the data and information life cycle, with an emphasis on human-centric, ethical and applied approaches. Committed to data, information and AI literacy for all Tar Heels, SDIS faculty are tackling our communities’ most pressing needs and our world’s most intractable challenges.

Position Summary

The External Partnerships Manager builds and manages the School of Data and Information Sciences’ working relationships with industry, government, non-profit, health, and peer academic organizations. Reporting to the Director of Cross-Sector Partnerships (CSP) within the Office of Research, the position independently develops and manages an assigned portfolio of relationships with industry, non-profit, and government organizations and carries out the school’s external engagement plan. The position researches and qualifies prospective partners, initiates outreach, conducts discovery and scoping conversations, manages relationships through opportunity development, implementation, renewal, and stewardship, ensuring mutually beneficial relationships that grow and expand over time.

Serving as a bridge between external partners and SDIS, the position advances opportunities through SDIS and UNC processes, coordinates with faculty, research and academic leadership, and relevant university offices, and ensures agreements, commitments, and program requirements are addressed appropriately.

The position manages assigned partner-facing programs, employer relationships, and signature convenings. It administers the school’s engagement pipeline and customer relationship management (CRM) system as the authoritative record of external relationships and uses pipeline intelligence to recommend priorities to the Director of CSP and strengthen partnership outcomes.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Bachelor’s degree. Three or more years of relevant professional experience. Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities independently.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Formal training or work experience in data science, information, library, health, technology, public sector, or civic sectors, with knowledge of workforce, career development, and research funding trends. Demonstrated experience and ability to develop and manage external partnerships, conduct outreach and needs-assessment conversations, advance opportunities from initial engagement through implementation, and independently manage a portfolio of relationships. Experience working in university, research, or industry environments, including sponsored research, industry agreements, employer relations, and academic-industry collaboration models such as internships, capstone projects, and practicums. Experience developing industry-supported educational programs, recruiting sponsors or members for partnership programs, and designing and delivering industry-focused events, convenings, competitions, or professional development offerings. Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems and familiarity with confidentiality, intellectual property, and data-use considerations in partnership and industry agreements.

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.