We are seeking for
Kühne Logistics University, located in Hamburg’s HafenCity, is looking for a Head of Corporate Research Partnerships to strengthen and expand our strategic, impact-oriented research collaborations with companies and other organizations.
This is a highly relational and strategic role, requiring someone who can build trust externally, create alignment internally, and identify opportunities where research, practice, and societal impact come together. The position is particularly suited to someone who enjoys working across boundaries, shaping new initiatives, and turning relationships into concrete, externally funded research projects. By developing strategic research partnerships, the successful candidate will contribute to increasing third-party research funding, strengthening societal impact, and positioning KLU as a valued research partner for business and society.
Acting as a bridge between university leadership, faculty, and external organizations, the successful candidate will identify partner needs, connect them with academic expertise, develop opportunities for collaboration, and manage long-term relationships. The role requires strong strategic relationship-building skills, an understanding of research and impact, and the ability to thrive in a small, entrepreneurial academic institution.
While directly reporting to the Dean of Research, the role is part of KLU's shared corporate relationship management framework, with regular cross-functional meetings involving Executive Education and Business Solutions to coordinate partnerships, facilitate mutual referrals, and ensure a consistent external presence.
The position offers considerable scope for initiative and the opportunity to shape KLU's corporate research partnerships while working closely with leading academics and business executives.
Your Responsibilities
Develop and implement the third-party funded research strategy
The Head of Corporate Research Partnerships will translate KLU's third-party research funding strategy into concrete initiatives with companies and other organizations, ensuring a systematic and proactive approach aligned with the university's research strengths, educational mission, and societal impact ambitions.
Build strategic partnerships with companies and other organizations
The role will focus on developing high-quality, mutually beneficial research partnerships with external organizations and companies of all sizes, with a clear emphasis on generating externally funded research projects. Broader corporate relationship development will be coordinated through KLU's shared corporate relationship management framework and regular cross-functional partnership meetings.
Increase third-party research funding
A key objective of the role is to generate additional externally funded research opportunities by supporting faculty in developing and managing relationships with companies and organizations, while proactively identifying and engaging potential new partners.
Reporting line
The Head of Corporate Research Partnerships reports to the Dean of Research at KLU.
The role is embedded in KLU's shared corporate relationship management framework, ensuring coordinated account development, mutual referrals, and a coherent external presence.
Close working relationships also extend to faculty and research centers, research funding management, Career Services, Alumni Relations, and Communications and Marketing.
Your qualifications
The ideal candidate combines strategic relationship-building skills with a strong understanding of academic environments, research funding, and organizational decision-making.
They should be comfortable working with senior corporate executives, professors, public-sector representatives, foundations, and internal administrative teams. The role calls for diplomacy, persistence, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to create value across different professional cultures.
The candidate should bring knowledge of logistics…