UCP Strategic Partnerships Lead

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type & Term:

Salary Range $67,766 - $84,707 (Please note that this position is part-time (half-time) and therefore the range has been pro-rated accordingly)

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.*

Application Deadline:

• This position will be posted until 11:59 PM on Monday, September 29, 2025

Required application materials: (preferably in PDF Format)

Resume

Cover Letter - Please address your interest in the role and how your background and experience aligns with the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities outlined in the posting below. Please also address the following questions (answering in bullet point format is appropriate in this situation). Cover Letters that do not address the following questions will not be considered.

• What organizations have you built professional relationships with? How do you go about building those relationships upon just a first-introduction?
• How your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.
Work Location: This is a 0.5 FTE position (20 hours per week). As part of our hybrid work schedule, the role requires approximately 10 hours per week on-site. The remaining hours may be worked remotely. On-site scheduling can be arranged in coordination with the manager. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

• Lead key outreach activities directly targeted at increasing UCP project involvement with the global development community more broadly.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with academic institutions, government agencies, private companies, philanthropic organizations, and international organizations.
• Manage a portfolio of active and prospective partners and opportunities; act as primary liaison to institutional partners.
• Promote innovative applications of UCP and NSF NCAR science, training, capacity building, and services through new partnerships.
• Coordinate strategic engagement planning and partnership portfolio development with internal stakeholders including UCAR Business Development and External Engagement, the NSF NCAR Strategic Partnerships, and other members of the Strategic Cross-Organization Relationships and Engagement (SCORE) teams.
• Develop and execute a strategic Engagement Plan for the UCP Directors Office, that positions the organization for future funding opportunities.
• Provide leadership and strategic support in the design and development of new UCP activities, including the design and development of related scientific platforms and data visualization tools.
• Empower UCP program staff to act as partnership ambassadors through training and resource support.
• Collaborate in the design and implementation of a formal process for management of UCP-led partnerships, and lead follow-up in coordination with relevant parties.
• Enable partnership ambassadors within UCP programs by identifying key internal contacts; provide appropriate organizational structure, training, and access to resources to facilitate successful partnership development activities.
• Monitor engagement efforts and follow up to improve success rates for collaborative proposals and business development.
• Ensure timely and effective distribution of information about UCP science and services to internal and external partners to elevate awareness of UCP activities and impact.
  

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education and Experience:

Required
Bachelor's Degree in Earth system science, Business, Economics, or similar discipline;
8-10 years of related experience consisting of a combination of science program management, project management, strategic partnership development, business development, outreach, or marketing.

Desired, but not required

Advanced degree(s) preferred. At least 15 years of experience consisting of business development, strategic partnership development, scientific program management, and project management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in translating science to applications and science to policy efforts. Skill in translating scientific concepts to applications and science policy efforts to broad audiences in a clear and effective manner.
• Direct working knowledge of MDBs, UN Agencies, NASA, NOAA, NSF, DoD, DoE political and government organizations, research organizations, other federal agencies, local, state and regional governments, academic institutions, non-profits, and the private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to create strategic partnerships, both domestically and internationally, and creating successful new programs and projects using creative methods to increase portfolios.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering cross-functional projects from initiation through completion. Skilled in end-to-end project lifecycle management, including: defining project scope, developing detailed work plans and deliverables, managing budgets and timelines, and coordinating internal and external stakeholders.

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)

• 10 paid holidays

• 10 days of sick leave each year

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

At NSF NCAR| UCAR | UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.