Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relations Lead

QCORE’s primary objective is to empower Montana’s quantum ecosystem by uniting cutting-edge research, industry partnerships, and community engagement – enabling breakthrough technologies that shape the future of quantum innovation. The vision of QCORE is to lead Montana’s transformation into a global powerhouse for quantum-enabled technologies by 2035, fostering economic growth, academic excellence and a resilient, future-focused workforce.

QCORE exists to steward the development of transformative quantum technologies in service to the common good. QCORE will help students plan for careers in quantum and quantum-enabling systems and will support transitioning into those careers through strategic partnerships with Montana’s growing quantum industry. Strategic partnerships serve as the mechanism for QCORE to strengthen relationships between industry, research and innovators – growing collaboration and creating shared opportunities for beneficial technology innovations.

Reporting to the QCORE Revenue Development and Facility Manager, the Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relations Lead will lead the development of an external engagement strategy with corporate, industry, and government stakeholders. This position will work to foster collaborations, coordinate opportunities for sponsored research programs and workforce pipelines, and help sustain long-term relationships with key stakeholders. The successful candidate will serve as the primary entry point for industry and government partners, driving mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance the center’s scientific and financial impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and execute QCORE’s external engagement strategy, advancing support and relationships for research, innovation, and external collaboration that benefit MSU’s faculty, staff, and students.

Work with QCORE leadership to identify, cultivate, and steward strategic alliances with private sector partners to accelerate opportunities for students and faculty across the university.

Serve as a primary entry point for external contacts, creating sustained relationships with industry, government, and foundation partners.

Negotiate and coordinate partnership agreements in collaboration with MSU legal, sponsored research, and research security offices.

Establish opportunities for research funding through targeted engagement with industry, government, foundation, and ecosystem partners.

Strengthen faculty-partner collaborations to create student experiential learning (e.g., capstone projects), placements, and industry engagement pathways.

Organize and host industry-facing symposiums, networking events, and lab showcases to highlight the center’s research capabilities and capabilities in coordination with the Strategic Communications & Engagement Manager.

Track partnership ROI, and university success measures (e.g., grant acquisitions and student engagement metrics), reporting directly to QCORE leadership on market trends and industry needs.

Oversee QCORE communications strategy and activities and coordinate with MSU Communications and the Strategic Communications & Engagement Manager.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor’s degree and three years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic partnerships and engagement within higher education, research institutions, foundations, or mission-driven organizations, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Demonstrated ability to translate research capabilities into partnership strategies and resource opportunities.

Demonstrated ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and support multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and/or five years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic partnerships and engagement within higher education, research institutions, foundations, or mission-driven organizations.

Experience building faculty partnerships and expanding student experiential learning opportunities with external organizations.

Knowledge of, and experience with, Montana State University policies, procedures, and systems.

Experience managing sponsor priorities and navigating trends across federal, foundation, and industry funding environments.

Experience supervising staff or cross-functional teams.

The Successful Candidate Will

Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and apply analytical thinking to solve complex operational challenges.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Possess the ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.

Possess the ability to establish and maintain strong and effective working relations with senior leaders, staff, faculty, students, and external stakeholders.

Possess the ability to represent QCORE and Montana State University in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.

This is a full-time position with extensive travel required for regional, national, and international events and partnership meetings.

Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. citizen.

All QCORE employees may be required to meet NIST 800-53 requirements for access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This position may require the ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on July 10, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.