Job Description

Innovation & Industry Relations Specialist

Hiring Department: OVCR, Innovation & Industry Relations

Location: Chicago, IL

Requisition ID: 1042292

Posting Close Date: October 23, 2026

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $90,000 -$105,000. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The Innovation & Industry Relations Specialist supports the development and management of strategic partnerships that advance the university's research, innovation and engagement priorities. Reporting to the Director of Innovation & Industry Relations within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR), this position serves as a key relationship manager connecting faculty, research centers and university leadership with industry, government, nonprofit and community partners.

The Innovation & Industry Relations Specialist helps facilitate collaborative research opportunities, supports innovation and commercialization initiatives and contributes to activities that enhance the university's external engagement and research impact. This role requires the ability to work effectively across academic and external environments, manage multiple stakeholder relationships and support initiatives related to sponsored research, industry collaboration and innovation ecosystems.

If you are energized by building relationships, connecting ideas and people, navigating complex organizations and helping create opportunities that may not have existed before, this is an opportunity to make your mark within a major urban R1 research university.

Industry & External Partnership Engagement

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with industry, government, nonprofit and community stakeholders aligned with university research priorities.
• Serve as a point of contact for external organizations seeking engagement with university researchers, centers and institutional capabilities.
• Assist in identifying and advancing opportunities for sponsored research, strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between faculty and external partners to support research and innovation activities.

Innovation & Research Collaboration

• Support initiatives related to innovation, commercialization, entrepreneurship and applied research partnerships.
• Collaborate with research administration, technology commercialization, economic development and colleges/academic units to advance engagement efforts.
• Help identify emerging areas of industry interest and alignment with institutional research strengths.
• Contribute to strategic engagement activities that expand the university’s research visibility and external partnerships.

Program & Project Coordination

• Coordinate partnership meetings, engagement activities, workshops, site visits and networking events.
• Lead the development of presentations, reports, briefing materials and stakeholder communications.
• Track partnership activity, engagement outcomes and related metrics using institutional systems and reporting tools.
• Support implementation of strategic initiatives and special projects within OVCR.

Outreach & Representation

• Represent the university and OVCR at conferences, meetings and external engagement events.
• Promote awareness of university research expertise, innovation initiatives and collaboration opportunities.
• Drive efforts to strengthen the university’s role within regional and national innovation ecosystems.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, public administration, communications, science, engineering, higher education administration or a related field.
• Approximately 3+ years of relevant professional experience in industry relations, partnership development, research administration, innovation programs, economic development or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage professional relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, communication and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a complex organizational environment.
• Critical and strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, administrators, executives and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a research university, research institute, nonprofit, government or innovation-focused organization.
• Familiarity with sponsored research, technology transfer, innovation ecosystems or public-private partnerships.
• Experience supporting cross-functional or interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Understanding of research and innovation environments within higher education.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, data tracking tools and standard office software.

What You Will Bring

We are looking for an intellectually curious, resourceful professional who is equally comfortable engaging with a faculty researcher, university leader, corporate executive, government representative or community partner.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.