Job description

About This Role:
The Economic Engagement Associate is a key member of a team that directly promotes K-State's efforts to operate national-caliber industry engagement and economic development practices. The Economic Engagement Associate is responsible for implementing K-State Innovation Partners (KSIP) initiatives to support K-State's Economic Prosperity Plan including, but not limited to coordinating efforts to expand industry partnerships, establishing multifaceted engagement with companies, facilitating new business opportunities, and coordinating faculty and staff engagement activities. The Economic Engagement Associate plays a key role in the achievement of KSIP's business goals by securing partnerships that result in sponsored research, talent pipeline development, training programs, and investments. The Economic Engagement Associate plays a key role in advancing EPP goals by supporting project wins (company expansions, formations, or locations, as well as research and corporate partnership development) which result in capital investment and direct job creation in Kansas.

The Economic Engagement Associate will manage programs designed to engage potential corporate partners for implementation of the university's Economic Prosperity Plan focus area strategies. The position will also plan, organize, and manage resources to bring about the successful completion of specific university-industry (U-I) engagement projects for companies interested in collaborating with Kansas State University. The Economic Engagement Associate will develop and coordinate multiple concurrent projects, working in both lead or support roles depending on the project and partner.

The Economic Engagement Associate will also assist interdisciplinary teams of faculty to develop specific industry engagement and economic development aspects of proposals for the K-State Game-Changing Research Initiative Program (K-GRIP). K-GRIP is an Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) initiative designed to help implement the university's Economic Prosperity Plan, with buy-in from the Provost, President, KSU Foundation and College Deans. The goal of K-GRIP is to support transdisciplinary teams to address grand challenges and respond to grand opportunities.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Provide industry and economic development-related staff support for K-State's Economic Prosperity Plan (EPP) activities.

With the KSIP economic development team, provide university and community information to businesses interested in locating near K-State, coordinating inquiries with local economic development professionals and chambers of commerce.
Research specific information and coordinate company inquiries with KSIP economic development and industry engagement professionals.
Consistent with K-GRIP's direction and with authorization from appropriate university officials, provide assistance with the submission and management of grant proposals, sponsored projects and awards.
In collaboration with the OVPR, establish and advance U-I collaborations that support K-GRIP research activities and facilitate a strong relationship with the corporate sector.
Coordinate and participate in K-GRIP team meetings.
Provide temporary staff support of K-State 105 efforts, including assisting in conceptual development of pilot programming.
Report economic prosperity-related activities to OVPR, KSIP Leadership team and others as requested to meet Kansas Board of Regents requirements.
Oversee implementation of EPP industry engagement stakeholder initiatives.

Develop and coordinate faculty & industry meetings and events, including event services, venues, speakers, registration, accommodations, transportation, displays, catering, audio-visual technology, transportation, and other services as needed.
Serve as lead point of contact at events to ensure satisfaction of participants and resolve any problems that arise.
Generate and distribute follow-up correspondence to event participants as appropriate.
Coordinate company site visits, including faculty visits, community tours, and other meetings as appropriate.
Coordinate K-State Innovation Partners' international corporate engagement & economic development efforts.

Collaborate with Chief Corporate Engagement & Economic Development Officer and Chief Tech Innovation Officer to execute Innovation Partners' international corporate engagement and economic development strategies.
Coordinate visits to targeted countries and participate in outreach trips to targeted countries, as appropriate.
Host community and university visits by international visitors from targeted countries.
Advance university partnerships with international companies from targeted countries.
Collaborate with economic development partners to facilitate international company expansion or attraction to Kansas.
Provide industry and economic development-related staff support for K-State's Game-Changing Research Initiative Program (K-GRIP).

Support proposal development by teams submitting to the K-State Game-Changing Research Initiative Program (K-GRIP) including assisting with industry engagement and economic development activities and goals.
For awarded K-GRIP teams, provide industry engagement and economic development leadership and staff support to advance the economic development-related goals of the proposal.
Conduct outreach to the relevant industry sectors concerning U-I relationships, technology transfer, research, and economic development activities at K-State to foster U-I collaborative opportunities that support K-GRIP teams. Such outreach activities may include but are not limited to the response to or creation of Request for Proposals for strategic industry partners, invitations to collaborate, conference attendance, campus/community visit hosting and networking opportunities in collaboration with the Economic Development & Entrepreneur Relations Manager, Industry Engagement Manager, and appropriate Licensing Team members.
Participate and lead, as directed by KSIP, special projects to further KSIP overarching goals and strategic objectives, specifically, furthering Corporate Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development at K-State.

Provide content to Innovation Partners' communications staff to support the development of presentations for university administration, supervisors, boards, businesses, individuals, and the public on corporate engagement issues, programs, services, and plans.
Attend conferences and trade shows to market K-State for business partnership or economic development prospecting as appropriate.
Coordinate and participate in KSIP staff meetings.
Provide support and/or lead special projects as directed by the KSIP President or Senior Leadership Team.
Follow-up with meeting participants and ensure meeting action items are completed.
Conduct internet research and generate reports as requested.
Provide support and assistance in developing and meeting KSIP annual goals.

Benefits:
K-State Innovation Partners offer full-time employees with a competitive benefits package including health and dental insurance, term life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, retirement plan, Section 125 Cafeteria plan, tuition reimbursement, and paid time off.

Worksite:
Hybrid eligible (must reside in US). Hybrid work requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a KSIP provided computer.

What You'll Need to Succeed: Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Marketing, Economics, Finance, Strategic Planning, International Affairs, discipline-specific degrees within the Economic Prosperity Plan focus areas, or related degrees; Master's degree preferred
Minimum of 5+ years higher education administration and/or industry engagement experience
Demonstrated exceptional communication skills including strong business writing and oral presentation abilities suitable for KSIP and university leadership, other university constituents, and community interaction
Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to lead and execute strategic business initiatives and provide tactical planning and strategic thinking
High degree of motivation, flexibility to multi-task, reliability, responsiveness and attention to detail
Ability to build relationships with all levels of individuals - from CEOs and high-level government officials, to citizens, community leaders, colleagues, etc.
Ability to direct the management of large projects, provide regular updates to senior management and deliver quality work under varied time constraints
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Demonstrated critical thinking skills with the ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and logically
Ability to disseminate information, evaluate facts, determine alternative solutions to problems, and reach sound management and business decisions
Excellent organization and execution skills
Consistent demonstration of persistence, conscientiousness, common sense decision making, and discernment
Innovative with a "can-do attitude"

Other Requirements:
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment

Anticipated Hiring Range:
$68,000 - $78,000

How to Apply:
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three professional references to:

Rebecca Robinson, Chief Corporate Engagement & Economic Development Officer

Kansas State University Innovation Partners

spexarth@k-state.edu , 785-532-3955

Screening of Applications Begins:
Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by October 28, 2022.

Advertised: 30 Sep 2022
Application Closes: Open until filled

colinoncars.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, colinoncars.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, colinoncars.com is the ideal place to find your next job.