Description
UIDP seeks a strategic, hands-on leader to strengthen engagement with international members and expand UIDP’s global presence. Serving as UIDP’s primary champion for global engagement, this individual will build community among non-U.S. members, translate member and market needs into practical programs and partnerships, and identify sustainable growth opportunities in priority markets.
The successful candidate will work independently and entrepreneurially while collaborating closely with UIDP leadership and staff across programs, events, communications, membership, and business development.
Key Responsibilities
Member Engagement and Community Building
Strengthen community, connection, and value for UIDP’s current non-U.S. members (approximately 20 universities and numerous company representatives based outside the U.S.).
Conduct structured outreach to understand member priorities, expectations, and unmet needs.
Create regular communications and engagement opportunities in coordination with UIDP staff.
Global Strategy and Market Development
Assess opportunities in priority markets, including Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Asia.
Identify where UIDP programs, resources, convenings, and member expertise can deliver global value.
Recommend where UIDP should invest, defer, or discontinue activity, and develop a coordinated global engagement strategy.
Partnerships and Growth
Build relationships with prospective members, partners, sponsors, universities, companies, government-related organizations, and innovation intermediaries.
Develop a prioritized opportunity pipeline and help convert prospects into membership, event participation, sponsorship, or formal partnership discussions.
Refine UIDP messaging and value propositions for global audiences.
Programming, Events, and Internal Coordination
Support UIDP’s international convenings and help shape programming that reflects global member interests and UIDP priorities.
Identify relevant themes, speakers, sponsors, hosts, and partners for future global activities.
Coordinate global work with UIDP staff and provide regular progress updates and recommendations to leadership.
Requirements
Desired Qualifications
Relevant experience in university-industry partnerships, research collaboration, innovation ecosystems, higher education, or related fields.
Credible relationships across universities, companies, government agencies, and/or innovation organizations in one or more priority global markets.
Strong cross-cultural relationship-building, communication, facilitation, and program-development skills.
Ability to translate member feedback and market intelligence into practical recommendations and executable plans.
Entrepreneurial initiative, sound judgment, and comfort working independently in a flexible, evolving role.
Success Profile
UIDP is seeking a builder, not simply an advisor. The successful candidate will be strategic and hands-on, with the credibility to open doors, build trusted relationships, identify opportunities, and translate member needs into visible activity and measurable results. They will strengthen engagement and demonstrate value for current global members by developing a clear understanding of member needs, identifying priority markets and sustainable growth opportunities, and implementing a practical global engagement strategy that integrates communications, programming, events, partnerships, and business development.
The role will also build a qualified pipeline of prospective members, partners, and sponsors, increase participation in UIDP's global activities, ensure international perspectives are more fully integrated into UIDP's broader work, and provide strategic recommendations on long-term market focus, staffing, event cadence, revenue opportunities, and the future evolution of UIDP's global engagement efforts.
Role Details
Location: Preferably based in a key global market, with strong connectivity to Europe, the United Kingdom, and/or Asia.
Compensation: Target contract value of approximately $75,000 USD annually, with a separate travel and expense budget anticipated.
Term: Initial 12-month engagement, with the possibility of extension based on performance, organizational needs, and market response.
Role Type: Contractor working in collaboration with UIDP staff and other contractors or volunteers.
About UIDP
UIDP is a solutions-oriented global membership organization that brings together universities, companies, government agencies, and other research and innovation stakeholders to increase the impact of multi-sector collaborations. UIDP’s work falls generally into contracting/compliance, innovation ecosystem development, strategic engagement, and talent. More information can be found on the website (uidp.org).
Application
Candidates should submit a resume/CV and a brief statement describing their relevant experience, geographic and sector networks, and approach to strengthening UIDP’s global activities. Send application materials to info@uidp.net for consideration.
