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University of Missouri-Kansas City · 6 hours ago

Associate Director of dSAIC / Director of Applied Research and Partnerships, UMKC Office of Research and Innovation

Kansas City, MO

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$115K/yr - $130K/yr

7+ years exp

The University of Missouri-Kansas City is a leading research institution, seeking an Associate Director of dSAIC / Director of Applied Research and Partnerships. This senior leader will identify external challenges and design cross-sector, data-driven solutions, fostering partnerships and driving proposal development to position dSAIC as a hub for applied research and workforce development in data science and artificial intelligence.

E-LearningEducationTraining

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

Responsibilities

Build and lead collaborative relationships with industry, nonprofit, and government partners to identify shared priorities and co-develop impactful applied research and innovation initiatives

Serve as a solutions architect, leveraging technical expertise and domain knowledge to align client and partner needs with dSAIC’s capabilities—proposing tailored, implementable solutions

Identify and pursue various revenue streams, including corporate sponsorships, public-private partnerships, grants, and philanthropic contributions

Represent dSAIC in high-level external engagements, conferences, and strategic forums—clearly communicating research strengths, technical capabilities, and partnership opportunities to a wide range of stakeholders

Lead and support the development of large-scale, competitive proposals, applying technical insight and strategic positioning to strengthen dSAIC’s funding profile—particularly in data-intensive, security, and AI-focused domains

Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration by connecting faculty, students, and research teams with external partners and funding aligned to real-world challenges

Engage academic leadership, mentors, and faculty within the (CAM and SSE, helping to guide the development of the next generation of data-driven professionals

Design and implement long-term strategies to support the growth and sustainability of dSAIC’s research, operations, and infrastructure

Engage with external UMKC stakeholders, including community constituents, regional economic partners, and corporate collaborators, to cultivate support, align shared priorities, and promote investment in dSAIC’s mission

Collaborate closely with the UMKC Foundation and leadership to advance fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic development planning, as needed

Support operational and financial planning to ensure alignment with dSAIC’s strategic goals, evolving priorities, and the broader institutional mission

Qualification

Data scienceCybersecurityArtificial intelligenceProposal developmentPartnership cultivationFinancial planningExcel proficiencyLeadershipCommunication skillsOrganizational skillsInterpersonal skillsAttention to detail

Required

A Master's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and at least 7 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Must be eligible for a security clearance; employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Preferred

Master's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, or a closely related discipline

Demonstrated expertise in data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or a related field, gained through experience in industry, academia, military, or applied research settings

Demonstrated ability to assess external partner or client needs and develop actionable, technically sound solutions that align with institutional or organizational goals

Demonstrated experience in developing and writing successful proposals with external partners (e.g., industry, government, nonprofit), including multi-institutional or collaborative efforts

Demonstrated strong leadership and administrative experience, with the capacity to manage cross-functional teams and deliver complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for various audiences, including non-technical stakeholders

Demonstrated strategic mindset and track record of building successful cross-sector partnerships and securing external resources

Demonstrated knowledge of financial planning, personnel management, and operational best practices

Ph.D. or other advanced degree in a relevant technical or interdisciplinary field

Five or more years of experience in senior leadership roles, particularly in research strategy, external engagement, or applied innovation

Experience in applied research, commercialization, or innovation translation, with the ability to bridge technical development with partner value

Demonstrated success in leading or supporting large-scale proposals and securing extramural funding (e.g., federal grants, industry contracts, philanthropic gifts)

Familiarity with managing multi-institutional collaborations and long-term, data-driven projects across academic, corporate, and community environments

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision plans

Retirement

Paid time off

Short- and long-term disability

Paid parental leave

Paid caregiver leave

Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses

Company

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Glassdoor4.1

UMKC, Kansas City’s only R1 public research university, is part of the University of Missouri System.

Founded in 1929

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

1001-5000 employees

http://www.umkc.edu/

Funding

Current Stage

Late Stage

Total Funding

$3.4M

Key Investors

US Department of Commerce, Economic Development AdministationMissouri Department of Economic DevelopmentNational Institute of Standards and Technology

2023-11-09Grant· $2M

2023-04-20Grant· $0.15M

2022-09-20Grant· $0.5M