Director of Partnerships

About the Role

Dhahran Techno Valley is seeking a Director of Partnerships to lead the development of strategic relationships with external partners. This full-time senior-level position, based in Dhahran, Eastern Region, focuses on fostering innovation, research commercialization, and economic development within the Zone. The role involves building and expanding collaborations, particularly with research and technology centers, and significantly increasing engagement with KFUPM.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive partnership strategy aligned with Dhahran Techno Valley’s long-term goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new relationships with leading research institutions, technology centers, corporate R&D divisions, and government agencies.
• Serve as the primary liaison for KFUPM, collaborating with faculty, researchers, and administration to identify opportunities and facilitate technology transfer.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team responsible for partnership development, program management, and performance monitoring.
• Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and professional development plans for the team.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to co-develop innovative programs, joint research initiatives, shared labs, and co-located R&D facilities.
• Oversee the end-to-end management of partnership programs, from ideation and negotiation to implementation and launch.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for all partnerships and collaboration initiatives.
• Regularly analyze partnership performance data and prepare reports for senior management and the leadership team.
• Develop and manage the partnerships budget, ensuring effective resource allocation to support strategic initiatives.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, grants, and sponsorships to support collaborative projects.

Performance Metrics

Key performance indicators for this role may include:

• Number of joint research projects initiated.
• Number of co-authored publications.
• Patents filed or licensed.
• Startups created or supported.
• Investment attracted.
• Student and faculty engagement levels.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in partnership development, strategic alliances, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build, nurture, and expand strategic relationships with external partners.
• Experience in leading and managing high-performing teams.
• Proven track record in program development and management, from ideation to implementation.

Work Environment

This role operates within Dhahran Techno Valley, focusing on fostering innovation, research commercialization, and economic development. The Director will work closely with internal stakeholders and external partners, including research institutions, technology centers, and government agencies.