Partnerships Manager

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Partnerships Manager at UL Research Institutes. This is a fully remote opportunity.

The Partnerships Manager will lead the implementation of research collaborations and agreements with scientific organizations and the development of organizational partnerships to expand research impact. This role will work closely with the Director of Communications and internal and external stakeholders to create opportunities for new research, organizational partnerships, and thought leadership that further advance the Digital Safety Research Institute's research and impact mission. 

UL Research Institutes 

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk, and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge. 

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Digital Safety Research Institute team, which conducts the research required to produce that knowledge and put it into practice. 

Digital Safety Research Institute 

The Digital Safety Research Institute (DSRI) addresses unresolved safety risks and emerging dangers in the world’s digital ecosystem. We aim to help protect people from unwanted access to personal devices and from privacy, algorithm, and disinformation threats by working to create a new digital safety ecosystem. 

DSRI is committed to sharing digital safety insights, collaborating with key stakeholders, and offering extensive outreach and education to help support safer digital environments for people everywhere. 

What you’ll learn and achieve 

As the Partnerships Manager, you will play a key role as you: 

• Identify and pursue strategic partnership opportunities aligned with DSRI’s mission, programs, technical capabilities, and AI and digital safety research priorities. 

• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective partners, including academic and nonprofit research organizations, government agencies, foundations, professional organizations, and industry collaborators. 

• Develop and implement partnership strategies that expand DSRI’s research impact, technical collaboration, visibility, and funding opportunities. 

• Collaborate with DSRI research and engineering leaders and with Legal, Grants and Contracts, Finance, Communications, and other enabling functions to align partnership goals, deliverables, and agreements with organizational priorities. 

• Draft and coordinate technical and partnership materials, including concept notes, proposals, scopes of work, research collaboration summaries, briefings, reports, memoranda of understanding, and partnership agreements; translate complex AI and digital safety work into clear, audience-appropriate content. 

• Track partner interactions, commitments, deliverables, risks, outcomes, and performance measures; provide clear updates and recommendations to DSRI leadership. 

• Represent DSRI at relevant conferences, workshops, technical exchanges, and partnership meetings. 

• Stay current on developments in AI and digital safety research, academic and government collaboration, philanthropy, and public-private partnerships. 

• Lead or contribute to DSRI, cross-functional, and ULRI-wide initiatives. 

What you’ll experience working at UL Research Institutes 

We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do. 

• People: Our people make us special. You’ll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today’s global challenges require. 

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what’s on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You’ll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good. 

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs. 

• Values: Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive. 

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401(k) matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement savings fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days. 

What makes you a great fit 

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes: 

• Working knowledge of artificial intelligence, software, cybersecurity, data science, digital safety, or related research domains, and experience working with professional organizations, research organizations, government agencies, and/or academic institutions. 

• Excellent technical writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing proposals, research summaries, reports, briefings, agreements, and presentations for technical and nontechnical audiences. 

• Proven ability to establish trust, manage expectations, and sustain relationships with multiple stakeholders across research, government, nonprofit, and industry sectors. 

• Ability to develop and execute partnership strategies that support long-term organizational goals. 

• Skilled at cultivating trust and collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups. 

• Exceptional written and oral communication abilities tailored to diverse audiences. 

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 

• Experience working across departments and teams and valuing a collaborative, mission-driven culture. 

• Resourceful and proactive in overcoming obstacles and navigating complex partnerships. 

• Deep interest in and commitment to the organization’s mission and research impact. 

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include: 

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, computer science, data science, cybersecurity, public policy, communications, business, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered. 

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in research partnerships, external relations, technical communications, research development, business development, or a related role in a research, nonprofit, academic, government, technology, or mission-driven organization. 

About UL Research Institutes 

UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, and share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being. 

To learn more, visit UL.org. 

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