Academic Relationship Manager - Atlanta, United States - CRH

Description

CRH is a predominant global diversified building materials group, employing over 75,800 individuals at more than 3,160 locations in 29 countries. CRH leads the building materials sector in North America and globally. We produce and distribute a wide range of high-quality building materials, products, and solutions extensively used in construction projects of all scales.

Position Overview

As an Academic Relationship Manager at CRH, you will play a key role in our research and development initiatives. Your main responsibilities will include crafting and implementing a thorough academic partnership strategy, selecting key institutions for long-term collaboration, and overseeing the management of these partnerships and related projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop Academic Partnership Strategy:
• Collaborate with the Global Innovation Team, Group, and OpCos R&D Teams to outline a comprehensive strategic plan for engaging with academic institutions.
• Ensure alignment of the strategy with the company's innovation goals, iCSC thematic areas, and winning strategies specified within each thematic area.
• Institution Selection:
• Offer a detailed overview of the key institutions worldwide possessing core capabilities and competencies that align with iCSC thematic areas.
• Assess their current work status and existing partnerships with private companies, evaluate willingness and suitability for collaboration with CRH.
• Identify and prioritize institutions for long-term collaboration, and suggest a long-term engagement strategy.
• Relationship Management:
• Act as the main point of contact for academic partners, fostering strong and mutually beneficial relationships.
• Facilitate regular communication and collaboration between the company and academic partners.
• Assist the Communications Team in developing a targeted communication strategy to position CRH as a preferred partner for academic institutions.
• Project Oversight:
• Supervise the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects under long-term agreements with academic institutions.
• Ensure projects stay on course, achieve objectives, and deliver valuable outcomes.
• Manage any potential scope, timing, and budget conflicts between the CRH Innovation community and the Academic partners.
• Create remediation and recovery plans when necessary.
• Budget Management:
• Establish and oversee budgets related to academic partnerships and associated projects.
• Optimize resource allocation to enhance the impact of collaborations.
• Contract Negotiation:
• Work with Legal, Intellectual Property, and Procurement teams to negotiate and finalize long-term agreements with academic partners, ensuring all terms align with company objectives.
• Contribute to the development of a relationship strategy that gives CRH a competitive edge in terms of intellectual property control and/or technology access under exclusive rights.
• Knowledge Transfer:
• Enable the exchange of knowledge and technology between the company and academic partners.
• Ensure effective integration of research findings and innovations into the company's product development and innovation processes.
• Performance Evaluation:
• Continuously evaluate the performance of academic partnerships and associated projects.
• Implement enhancements and adjustments as needed to achieve desired results.

Core Competencies and Behaviors

• Academic Experience: Candidates should possess experience in research and development activities within academia and understand how institutions carry out their daily operations.
• Strong technical background: Candidates should demonstrate strong communication abilities in the technical fields relevant to CRH (Water, Material Science, Low/Zero Carbon Solutions, Asphalt/Roads of the Future, Industrialized Construction, Circular Economy).
• Curious and Entrepreneurial Mindset: Candidates must exhibit a scientifically curious mindset and an action-oriented approach to transform science into business opportunities.
• Product development, program management, and launch: Ideal candidates will have prior experience in product development, program management, and introducing new products to the market.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Material Science Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics (Master's or Ph.D. preferred).
• Demonstrated experience in creating and managing academic partnerships or collaborative research projects.
• Thorough understanding of construction materials, research methodologies, and innovation processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management, including budgeting and resource management.
• Ability to work efficiently in a cross-functional team setting.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Work Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Successful completion of pre-employment screenings for drugs and criminal background.
• Strict adherence to safety protocols detailed in the Employee Handbook.
• Readiness to work autonomously within a team structure and assist with additional tasks as needed.
• Openness to occasional travel.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (with a focus on: SharePoint, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Experience with IP Management Systems (e.g., Anaqua, Clarivate, Equinox, etc).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate via telephone and in-person.
• Proficiency in utilizing a computer for various tasks such as word processing, email correspondence, and document/presentation preparation.
• May involve extended periods of sitting.

Work Environment

• Must have access to a functional home office or remote workspace.
• When working from a CRH office, anticipate typical office conditions; generally, a quiet working environment.
• Flexibility to work beyond regular business hours may be required.

The content of this job description aims to cover essential elements needed for successful job performance. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary. Job requirements are subject to adjustments by the Company as needed, with suitable accommodations made for individuals with disabilities to carry out essential functions.

What CRH Offers You

• Competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and disability benefits packages
• Group retirement savings scheme
• Health and wellness initiatives
• A diverse and inclusive culture focusing on growth opportunities, development, and internal advancement

About CRH

CRH boasts an extensive and esteemed legacy. We consist of numerous family businesses, regional entities, and large corporations that collectively form the CRH family. Operating in a decentralized, diversified structure, CRH offers the benefits of a small company atmosphere alongside the career prospects of a major international organization.

If you are ready for a fulfilling challenge, we encourage you to begin your journey by applying today. Upon application, you will be directed to our official employment portal, allowing you to complete your profile online for review by the hiring team. Our system enables you to track your status around the clock. Thank you for considering this opportunity.

CRH is committed to promoting Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunities.

EOE/Vet/Disability