Partnership Manager at ETH AI Center

The ETH AI Center is one of the largest university centers in the world for artificial intelligence with over 110 Professors from all 16 departments of ETH Zurich and over 1500 PhD students & post-docs. Our purpose is to amplify human potential by fostering breakthrough ideas with interdisciplinary AI research and enabling the path from science to society. We strive to push the boundaries of AI research, foster innovation, and drive impactful projects. As the Partnership Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI research and industry applications.

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic individual to lead our industry collaborations team, working at the intersection between academia, industry and startups. You will drive the ETH AI Center’s outreach and sales activities for its fellowship and membership program including the joint industry programs within the Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI) in close collaboration with the EPFL AI Center.

You will manage selected customer accounts, engage with innovation leaders and stay up to date on cutting edge technology. Your role is crucial in guiding corporate clients towards their objectives, showcasing our offerings and helping them leverage cutting-edge technology to stay ahead. You will collaborate with industry leaders, faculty members, and startup entrepreneurs to identify and capitalize on sales opportunities while driving customer satisfaction. Your ability to streamline processes, drive sales growth, and empower team members will key to  the ETH AI Center’s success.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the entire sales cycle for both inbound and outbound prospects related to any outreach and sales activities for SNAI.
• Lead the development of an AI Maturity Level assessment for current and prospective industry partners
• Optimize performance to grow the partnership and membership base.
• Shape and implement the sales strategy, develop sales offerings, and identify new opportunities.
• Engage with CRM tools, ensuring regular updates and accurate documentation.
• Work closely, train and upskill junior team members in the industry and entrepreneurship team.
• Work cross-functionally on key strategic initiatives and provide valuable insights.
• Ensure task completion, meet deadlines, and maintain stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage a sales pipeline and prioritize based on business goals, and utilize CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive)
• Experience in negotiation, contract management and relationship-building to drive successful partnerships
• Strong coordination and communication skills for both internal teams and external partners
• In-depth knowledge of AI trends in industry and academia; strong interest in knowledge transfer
• Experience in fundraising and business development in the intersection of industry and academia
• Project management skills with a focus on creating win-win solutions through structure and organization
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role with a track record of success
• Entrepreneurial mindset with curiosity, a drive for learning, can-do attitude and action-oriented problem-solving
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field; degrees in technical fields (computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering etc.) are a plus
• Fluency in English and German; French is a plus.

• Access to top researchers and industry players 
• Small but dynamic and agile team in a startup-like environment
• Modern office in Oerlikon in the heart of tech innovation
• Facilitated access to ETH Infrastructure 

If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for AI and a desire to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving field, we would love to hear from you. Join our team at the ETH AI Center and be part of a collaborative and innovative environment dedicated to advancing AI research and technology.

The position is limited to a duration of 1 year with the intention to extend.