Director Workforce Development Jobs in Baton Rouge, LA

Introduction

The Director of Industry Engagement is an influential, externally facing role responsible for developing, managing, and growing strategic partnerships between Louisiana State University (LSU), the LSU Foundation, and industry. This individual serves as a critical bridge between corporate partners and the university's academic, research, and workforce development ecosystem.

OverviewThe Director will lead a portfolio of industry relationships, identify opportunities for partnership across talent development, research collaboration, and strategic philanthropy, and drive measurable growth in industry-supported activities. This role requires a combination of business development expertise, relationship management, and a strong understanding of industry needs — ideally informed by prior private-sector experience or higher education industry engagement or fundraising experience, with preference for backgrounds in energy, construction, or related sectors.
This role is responsible for supporting, promoting, and delivering industry support to academic and research initiatives across LSU. This individual will serve as a business contact for specific industry members and work in conjunction with, but not limited to, LSU Office of Innovation and Ecosystem Development, Office of Research and Economic Development, and the Olinde Career Center.
The Director will also lead efforts to grow and diversify industry support through coordinated outreach, proposal development, and cross-campus collaboration, aligning corporate interests with LSU’s strengths and strategic priorities.
The Office of Industry Engagement is responsible for holistic engagement efforts including, but not limited to, talent pipeline development, research collaboration, and strategic philanthropy, between companies and LSU. Annual metrics measure activities such as meetings with prospects, proposal solicitations, and dollars raised through philanthropic gifts and/or sponsored research.

Responsibilities

45 % Portfolio Management: Coordinate and manage industry support activities within LSU consistent with applicable requirements and needs by developing and offering integrated and comprehensive support for specific business needs. These support services will be structured to help industry partners navigate the complexities of working within the LSU ecosystem, with a goal of removing barriers and growing funded activities at LSU.

45 % Lead Development & Discovery: Develop and grow the industry engagement portfolio through new industry partners. Leverage stakeholder and partner networks to improve industry support participation and outcomes.

5 % Asset Identification: Identify and market LSU assets and resources that could serve as a value-add to industry stakeholders.  

5 % Relationship Cultivation: Improve outreach, develop relationships and coordination with industry partners. Work across the state with chambers, Louisiana Economic Development, and other support organizations to grow and develop industry support opportunities within LSU.

Non-essential/marginal position responsibilities

• Complete projects/reports as requested
• Serve on committees
• Attend relevant seminars or trainings

Requirements

Required level/type of education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university 
• Five years of experience in external-facing roles such as business development, fundraising, and/or external partnership development.
• Experience successfully communicating with all levels within an organization, from senior management to operational teams
• Proficient level in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven success aligning corporate interests with programs to establish, secure and sustain valuable industry partnerships

Preferred level/type of education and experience: 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university    
• Prior experience in private sector roles such as business development or higher education roles such as industry engagement or fundraising, with preference for backgrounds in energy, construction, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated success in corporate fundraising and business development
• Five years of experience in economic development, corporate site selection, and/or corporate investment decision making
• The ability to set priorities, manage time, leverage limited resources, and meet deadlines
• Entrepreneurial instincts, intellectual curiosity, and an ability to work both independently and as a team member
• A team player comfortable with ambiguity as decisions or processes evolve over time and the ability to quickly refine strategies after receiving feedback from stakeholders 
• Excellent interpersonal, administrative, and organizational skills

Competencies:

• Collaboration: Works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships; fosters enthusiasm and maintains mutual trust, candor, and respect.
• Adaptability: Responds to changing circumstances by being innovative and altering behavior to better fit different situations; successfully works with new colleagues; willing to be flexible; remains calm in stressful situations. 
• Critical Thinking: Practices objective rather than subjective modes of reasoning and action. Maintains perspective when assessing qualitative and quantitative information. Appropriately challenges and questions common beliefs. 
• Relationship Building: Develops, maintains, and strengthens relationships with others outside of the organization
• Tenacity: Achieves a desired outcome in the face of setbacks, obstacles, or challenging circumstances.

WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• This position is primarily performed in a professional office environment.
• The role routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, printers, and related technology.
• May be required to work extended workdays, evenings, and weekends to meet deadlines
• May be required to travel 10-20% of the time

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee may be required to: 

• Sit for extended periods of time
• Stand or walk occasionally
• Use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Communicate clearly in person, by phone, and electronically
• Lift or move materials weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally (if applicable)

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).