Partnership Manager

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 1400 PhD students & post‑docs. Our purpose is to amplify the 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 a Partnership Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI research and industry applications, working at the intersection between academia and industry.

This position is set for a term of 6 months, with the potential for extension. Starting as soon as possible, preferably by December 1st.

Project background

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic individual to join our industry team for a 6 months period (ad interim maternity leave replacement). As a Partnership Manager you will drive the ETH AI Center’s sales and outreach activities to acquire new industry partners for the Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI) in close collaboration with the EPFL AI Center. You’ll work closely with the ETH AI Center team and faculty members, as well as corporate members to identify and create mutually beneficial opportunities of engagement, ensure satisfaction and growth of the SNAI and ETH AI Center industry membership base.

You will manage selected customer accounts and leads and be responsible for the retention of the existing customer base. You will thus play a pivotal role in nurturing and expanding our ecosystem of corporate members and are expected to hit sales targets. Your role is crucial in guiding corporate clients towards their objectives, showcasing our offerings and helping them leverage cutting‑edge technology to stay ahead.

Job description

• Take full ownership of the entire sales cycle (incl. strategy, targets, opportunity identification etc.) for both inbound and outbound prospects related to any outreach and sales activities for SNAI.
• Devise and implement sales formats enabling multiple prospects to engage with SNAI offerings in parallel (thematic events, showcases and deep dives for SNAI offerings) to optimize and grow the partnership and membership base.
• Manage accounts, be the single point of contact and connector for the members and facilitate their engagement with the ETH, EPFL and Swiss AI community. Engage with CRM tools, ensuring regular updates and accurate documentation.
• Work closely, train and upskill junior team members in the industry and entrepreneurship team.
• Ensure task completion, meet deadlines, and proactively communicate & align with stakeholders at ETH AI Center, ETH Foundation, EPFL AI Center, etc.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with the ETH AI Center teams on key strategic initiatives and events, such as the AI House in Davos, Zurich AI Festival and AI+X Summit.

Profile

• Proven ability to manage a sales pipeline and customer portfolio and prioritize based on business goals, and utilize CRM systems
• Experience in sales, negotiation, contract management and relationship‑building to successfully and efficiently close new partnerships
• In‑depth knowledge of AI trends in industry and academia; strong interest to develop knowledge further
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role with a track record of success
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills, both written and verbal, capable of building rapport with corporate partners, researchers and other key stakeholders.
• Multi‑stakeholder project management skills with a strong drive to create win‑win situations
• Entrepreneurial mindset and operational flair with the ability to think creatively and strategically to identify new opportunities for growth and collaboration with industry partners.
• A university degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) 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.
• Existing network and high level contacts within the Swiss corporate ecosystem is a strong plus.

We offer

• Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

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About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting‑edge fundamental research and direct