Director of Industry Partnerships & Business Development, Critical Materials Cro

The Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) of the Office of Strategic Innovations (OSIN) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

The Director of Industry Partnerships & Business Development leads the strategic effort to expand the Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) ecosystem through strategic industry recruitment, business development, and corporate engagement. As a member of the CMC Executive Leadership Team, the position develops and executes strategies that attract companies across the critical materials value chain to collaborate, innovate, and establish operations within the CMC ecosystem and the Kansas City region.

The Director cooperatively identifies emerging market opportunities, cultivates executive-level relationships with domestic and international companies, and positions CMC as the preferred destination for organizations seeking research partnerships, pilot-scale validation, advanced manufacturing capabilities, workforce development, and supply chain collaboration. The position provides market intelligence and strategic insight that informs organizational priorities that strengthen the burgeoning greater Kansas City regional and national critical materials ecosystems.

ROLES

1. Strategic Business Development & Industry Recruitment
2. Industry Partnerships and Corporate Engagement
3. Executive Strategy & Organizational Leadership

REPSONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Business Development & Industry Recruitment
   • Develop and execute strategies to recruit domestic and international companies across priority segments of the critical materials value chain
   • Build and manage a qualified pipeline of prospective industry partners, business-development opportunities, and Kansas City site-selection prospects
   • Cultivate executive-level relationships and promote CMC and the Kansas City region as a destination for research, innovation, manufacturing, commercialization, and investment
   • Collaborate with regional, state, and national economic development organizations to advance business attraction and industry growth
2. Industry Partnerships & Corporate Engagement
   • Build and maintain strategic relationships with startups, manufacturers, corporations, government agencies, academic institutions, and other industry stakeholders
   • Serve as a primary relationship manager for key industry partners and identify opportunities for research, technology validation, workforce development, commercialization, and supply-chain collaboration
   • Coordinate executive visits, partner meetings, industry forums, site tours, and other engagement activities
   • Represent CMC at conferences, trade shows, professional associations, and industry meetings
3. Executive Strategy & Organizational Leadership
   • Serve as a member of the CMC Executive Leadership Team and contribute to strategic planning, organizational decision-making, and performance measurement
   • Monitor market, technology, investment, manufacturing, and supply-chain trends relevant to CMC priorities
   • Provide market intelligence, competitive analysis, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership
   • Collaborate across functional leadership and support the Chief Executive Officer in advancing strategic partnerships and organizational priorities

DUTIES

Business Development and Industry Recruitment

• Prospect, qualify, recruit, and onboard new industry partners
• Manage the business development pipeline and maintain accurate records using customer relationship management tools
• Prepare outreach materials, proposals, presentations, and executive briefings for prospective partners
• Coordinate recruitment and business attraction activities with internal teams and external economic development partners

Industry Partnership and Corporate Engagement Management

• Maintain executive-level relationships with existing partners and identify opportunities for expanded collaboration, investment, and growth
• Facilitate connections among industry, academia, government, workforce organizations, and economic development partners
• Develop and coordinate customized partner-engagement plans, meetings, briefings, and follow-up activities
• Track partner participation, commitments, opportunities, and next steps

Executive Strategy and Executive Representation

• Analyze market conditions, industry needs, and competitive activity to identify strategic growth opportunities
• Prepare market assessments, executive reports, and recommendations that inform organizational priorities
• Represent CMC before industry, government, academic, economic development, and community stakeholders
• Support annual planning, goal setting, performance measurement, and executive-level partnership discussions

EXPECTATIONS

The Director of Industry Partnerships & Business Development is expected to:

• Recruit companies and expand the number, diversity, and engagement of strategic industry partners
• Develop a strong pipeline of business development, partnership, and site-selection opportunities
• Position CMC and the Kansas City region as a nationally recognized center for critical materials innovation, manufacturing, commercialization, and supply-chain development
• Build trusted executive-level relationships across industry, government, academia, workforce development, and economic development organizations
• Provide leadership with timely market intelligence and actionable strategic recommendations
• Advance business development and industry engagement priorities through coordinated, cross-functional collaboration
• Represent CMC professionally and exercise sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in advancing complex organizational priorities

This position is 100% grant/externally funded and is contingent on continued funding.

• A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible professional experience
• Demonstrated experience in business development, strategic partnerships, corporate relations, economic development, or industry engagement
• Experience developing executive-level relationships with external organizations
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Materials Science, Public Administration, Economic Development, Marketing, or a related field
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in business development, industry partnerships, corporate strategy, or economic development
• Experience in the critical materials, mining, processing, recycling, advanced manufacturing, energy, defense, or industrial supply chain sectors
• Knowledge of domestic critical materials supply chains and advanced manufacturing markets
• Experience working with corporate site selection, business attraction, or regional economic development initiatives
• Demonstrated success building public-private partnerships involving industry, academia, and government
• Experience representing organizations before executive leadership, corporate boards, or public officials
• Strong strategic planning, negotiation, and relationship management skills
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment requiring independent judgment and initiative

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $100,000 to $130,000 annually.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 13
University Title: Director II Business Administration
To review the University of Missouri’s Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Review of applications to begin immediately. Posting open until filled.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city’s rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City’s biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.
UMKC’s campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Hospital.
UMKC is proud to be “Kansas City’s university,” and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.