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Position: Director of Strategic Partnerships

Department: BRIDGES Engine

Reports to: Director of BRIDGES

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Employment Type: Full-time | Exempt

Director of Strategic Partnerships, BRIDGES Engine

Help Build the Southeast's Biobased Innovation Network

The Opportunity

Every transformative innovation ecosystem thrives on powerful partnerships. As Director of Strategic Partnerships for the BRIDGES NSF Engine (http://www.bridgesengine.org/), you'll be the architect of collaboration, building and nurturing a network of 80+ partners across academia, industry, government, and communities that will collectively reimagine sustainable manufacturing and rural economic opportunity across the Southeast.

This is more than relationship management. You'll design the connective tissue that transforms isolated innovations into an integrated ecosystem where researchers, entrepreneurs, growers, and industry leaders work in concert to bring plant-based technologies from lab to market to real-world impact. You'll be the bridge between worlds, fluent in the language of science, commerce, policy, and community; helping diverse stakeholders see shared opportunity and collaborate toward common goals.

What You'll Do

Drive Strategic Partnerships:

• Cultivate relationships across academia, industry, government, and nonprofits to expand the bio-based economy
• Design and execute comprehensive partnership strategies aligned with BRIDGES Engine and NSF Engine priorities
• Build and grow a dynamic network of 80+ partners, cultivating relationships that span academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors
• Develop standardized partnership criteria, documentation, and performance tracking processes that ensure accountability and measurable impact
• Serve as the principal liaison connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders in meaningful, productive relationships
• Negotiate and manage partnership agreements that protect institutional interests while enabling collaborative success

Shape the Narrative:

• Direct communications and marketing initiatives that position BRIDGES Engine as the Southeast's innovation leader

• Coordinate matchmaking events, workshops, roundtables, and site visits that spark unexpected connections and accelerate commercialization
• Facilitate engagement and communication that strengthens partnerships and drives continuous improvement
• Support the integration of diverse stakeholders across the entire BRIDGES ecosystem
• Communicate success stories, metrics, and impact that showcase the power of collaborative innovation

Lead with Vision & Credibility:

• Represent BRIDGES Engine and HudsonAlpha at regional and national forums, building visibility and institutional credibility
• Provide leadership on strategy, partnership performance, and communications issues
• Cultivate a collaborative culture that unites scientific, administrative, and community-facing teams
• Track outcomes and performance indicators to drive improvement and demonstrate transformative impact

About You

Experience & Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (PhD, MS, or equivalent in science, engineering, biotechnology, or related field) preferred
• 5–7 years of experience in partnership development, or related field
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-institutional, federally funded projects
• Proven track record cultivating and maintaining relationships across academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors

Essential Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic, organizational, and project management excellence
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and negotiation abilities
• High business acumen with the ability to unify diverse stakeholders toward shared goals
• Strong analytical, budgeting, and compliance oversight capabilities
• Passion for continuous improvement and impact tracking
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, highly regulated, multi-partner environments

Preferred Experience:

• Supporting large-scale initiatives such as NSF Engines or similar programs
• Deep familiarity with biotechnology, life sciences, or innovation-driven environments

Why BRIDGES Engine? Why HudsonAlpha?

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a leading nonprofit research institute leveraging genomics to improve human health, strengthen global food systems, and drive sustainable economic growth. Our 150-acre Huntsville campus, located in one of the world's premier science and technology communities, unites world-class scientists, educators, and 45+ innovative life science companies in a collaborative ecosystem where discovery becomes impact.

With U.S. National Science Foundation Engine funding, BRIDGES represents the next frontier: a bold initiative to build a sustainable biobased economy that transforms rural communities and opens entirely new markets and industries.

This isn't incremental change, it's ecosystem-building at scale. You'll work alongside visionary leaders, innovative companies, and passionate researchers united by a common mission: to prove that biotechnology can drive prosperity, sustainability, and opportunity for entire regions.

Physical & Work Environment

• Dynamic office setting with frequent engagement across multiple locations and events
• Travel for conferences, convenings, and stakeholder meetings (occasional overnight stays)
• Flexible hours accommodating early mornings, evenings, and event-driven schedules
• Prolonged and irregular working hours reflecting the demands of a startup-phase, high-impact initiative

Join Us

Help architect the innovation ecosystem that will define the future of sustainable biomanufacturing. Shape the network. Build the connections. Drive the impact.

Apply now and become part of the BRIDGES NSF Engine movement.