Business Partnership Manager

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

As a public/private partnership, Mcity brings together the mobility industry, government, and U-M research communities to help introduce advanced mobility technologies to society in a thoughtful and beneficial way. Mcity does this in three ways: funding research, running living laboratories, and fostering education and outreach. The Business Partnership Manager's role is to lead all strategic engagement in this pursuit across Mcity's industry, academic, and government partners.

Who We Are

Mcity is an interdisciplinary public-private partnership bringing together industry, government, and academia to transform mobility. As part of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), Mcity helps advance safe and efficient transportation and mobility solutions for the benefit of society. Follow this link to find out more about Mcity, and its world class research partnerships and facilities:

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Responsibilities*

External Engagement

• Recruit and onboard new industry members for Mcity and M-air.
• Respond to requests for information as well as actively target companies who have relevance to Mcity/M-air.
• Work with U-M College of Engineering's Corporate Relations group to support/leverage their industry engagement.
• Form and oversee partnerships with government, non-profits, and academic groups for Mcity, M-air, and the Transportation Insecurity project.
• Work with the Managing Director to ensure the overall development and engagement strategies support the needs of the center.
• Coordinate and, when needed, lead Mcity visits, tours, and demonstrations for industry, academic, and government partners, prospective partners, and unaffiliated groups.
• Attend and speak at relevant conferences and meetings, as well as engage with the media as needed.

Internal Engagement

• Manage member relationships by serving as the account executive who ensures individual company goals and needs are being met, oversee membership lifecycle.
• Organize and execute bi-annual/annual Member Meetings with all Mcity members, and relevant university and government stakeholders.
• Convene thought-leadership events, such as Mcity Research Reviews for members, annual thought-leadership symposium (Congress) for members and invited guests, topical workshops, technical demonstrations, and various media events in collaboration with the communications team.
• Support Mcity Research Director and their research portfolio by recruiting and supporting engagement with companies relevant to their work.
• Produce bi-monthly Executive Update, quarterly Research Update, and other necessary member communications. Direct member communications strategy, modifying these communications as needed.
• Serve as a liaison to U-M research communities. This includes collaboration with other units such as the Electric Vehicle Center, the Center for Entrepreneurship, and others within the College of Engineering and broader university.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance, communications, public policy, or relevant engineering field. Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• 3 - 5 years of progressive experience in business development, customer /client portfolio management, project management, or similar roles.
• Proven ability to establish and manage cross-sector partnerships (industry, government, academic).
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategies that support the goals and objectives of the organization.
• Advanced project management experience with a demonstrated ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively to multiple stakeholders as well as the ability to create and adapt complex information to present to multi-sector audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills including the ability to multi-task a high-volume of deadline-driven work.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate events and logistics including the end-to end management of meetings, workshops, conferences, and facility tours.

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's degree in business, accounting, finance, communications, public policy, or relevant engineering field.
• Experience using social media tools such as LinkedIn in prospecting clients, outreach, and business development.
• Experience with transportation technologies (ground, air, vehicles and/or infrastructure).
• Familiarity with university/industry research engagements.
• Previous experience interfacing with government agencies such as USDOT and MDOT.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

• A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.
• Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Physical Demands/Work Environment include:

• The person in this position routinely presents information at events and in meetings.
• May require work during early mornings, nights, and/or weekends.
• The person in the position may travel domestically, as required.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Opening ID

270255

Working Title

Business Partnership Manager

Job Title

Bus Development Assoc Supr

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Engineering

Department

CoE MCity

Posting Begin/End Date

10/27/ /17/2025

Salary

$80, $90,000.00

Career Interest

Communications & Marketing

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