Industry Partner Relationship Manager

Purdue University purdue.edu Open · verified Sep 25, 2026

West Lafayette Manager Account Management

At a glance

Mid-level Account Management role at Purdue University. West Lafayette.

Pay not stated

RoleAccount Management

SeniorityManager

LocationWest Lafayette

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Manage a set of corporate partners and act as their main connection with Purdue
Build engagement plans that deepen collaboration and create shared value for partner organizations
Link companies with Purdue talent, research, education, executive learning, and experiential opportunities
Coordinate advisory boards, alumni activities, industry programs, and talent attraction efforts
Improve relationship processes while balancing partner accounts and supporting sustainable growth

What you bring

A bachelor's degree and at least four years in partnerships, business development, account management, or external relations
Experience presenting ideas and working with executive-level audiences
Evidence that you can build lasting corporate relationships and improve partner satisfaction
Strong communication, data-use, process management, and prioritization skills across multiple accounts

Who this fits

You’ll suit this role if you can manage corporate relationships while coordinating faculty, staff, alumni, executives, and external stakeholders. The position is based in West Lafayette and requires a cover letter, a background check, and employment authorization without Purdue sponsorship. A master's degree and experience connected to higher education, consulting, or client-facing work are helpful.

From the employer

Job Summary

Updated Salary Information 8/12/2026

At Purdue University, we believe transformative partnerships create opportunities that shape industries, advance innovation, and prepare future leaders. As the Assistant Director of Industry Partnerships, you will play a key role in strengthening connections between Purdue and leading organizations, helping create collaborative experiences that deliver value for partners, students, alumni, and the broader Purdue community.

Working closely with the Executive Director and the Office of Business Partnerships leadership team, you will help design and execute engagement strategies that foster long-term corporate relationships, enhance partner experiences, and elevate Purdue's external impact. This highly collaborative role combines relationship management, strategic engagement, and operational excellence to support corporate partnership growth and expand opportunities across the university.

What You'll Be Doing

Manage and cultivate a portfolio of corporate partner relationships, serving as a trusted liaison between Purdue and industry leaders.
Support the development and execution of strategic partner engagement initiatives that strengthen collaboration and drive mutual success.
Enhance partner value by connecting organizations with Purdue's world-class talent, research, and educational opportunities.
Coordinate and support executive education, experiential learning opportunities, industry engagement programs, and talent attraction initiatives.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a seamless and impactful partner experience.
Support alumni engagement efforts that strengthen connections between industry partners and the Purdue network.
Coordinate industry advisory board activities and facilitate meaningful interactions that advance organizational goals.
Execute operational processes and relationship management strategies that contribute to sustainable partnership growth and long-term success.

About Mitch Daniels School of Business: The Mitch Daniels School of Business aspires to take a top 25 program and transform it into a top 10 program that competes for the best students in the country. The key components of this transformation are:

Academic Prowess. Daniels School faculty are able to see and steer to what's next, imparting thought leadership to peers in an ever-growing student body.
Integration of STEM and Business. Every company today is a technology organization, and business leaders must understand how specific technologies can create competitive advantage.
Transformational Student Experience. Some of life's most important lessons aren't found in a book or a lecture hall. Active transformational experience will produce critical thinkers who see and tackle the world's largest problems.
Freedom and Capitalism. Daniels students will learn through transformative texts that free markets have raised living standards tremendously for all people.
Powered by Business Partnerships. The Daniels School provides opportunities for industry partners and alumni to connect with students and faculty in order to provide solutions to business challenges of today and the future.

A cover letter is required to be fully considered

What We’re Looking For:

Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will need:

Bachelor's degree
4 years of experience in corporate partnerships, business development, account management, or external relations
Previous experience presenting concepts and engaging with executive-level audiences

Skills needed:

Ability to build and maintain productive long-term partnerships with corporate stakeholders
Deep focus on delivering value and cultivating partner satisfaction
Demonstrated success building and managing strategic external relationships
Strong ability to follow and improve structured, repeatable engagement processes
Confident communicator with the ability to present to and influence stakeholders at an operational level regarding policies, practices, and procedures
Skilled in using data to track performance, identify trends, and recommend improvements
Ability to work effectively with various internal stakeholders, including faculty and staff, to meet partner needs
Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and partner accounts simultaneously

What is helpful:

Master's degree preferred (Business, Higher Education, or related field)
Experience working in or with higher education, consulting, or client-facing environments

Additional Information:

To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary CLICK HERE
Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
A background check will be required for employment in this position 
FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime) 
Retirement Eligibility:  Defined Contribution Waiting Period

Career Stream

Professional 3

Pay Band S070
Job Code #20003741

Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

EOE

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.