Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Strategic Business Development Content Specialist (Part-Time). This role involves creating strategic, high-impact content that highlights Penn State's research strengths to attract partners, donors, sponsors, and industry collaborators, thereby supporting business development initiatives within the Office of Research Business Development. The specialist will also integrate market research and competitive intelligence to align content with emerging industry trends and institutional growth priorities.

Highlights

Develop strategic content showcasing Penn State's research strengths to industry partners, donors, sponsors, and collaborators.
Create marketing assets to enhance partner engagement, fundraising, sponsorship, and visibility of research initiatives.
Translate complex research capabilities into clear value propositions for partnership and alliance development.
Incorporate market research and competitive intelligence to reflect industry and philanthropic trends in content.
Recommend new messaging priorities and content opportunities based on external market signals.
Required skills include strategic marketing, business development content creation, storytelling, and translating complex scientific information.
Preferred background in marketing, business development, communications, or STEM/life sciences; familiarity with research or higher education environments is a plus.
Part-time position requiring 10-20 hours per week, with flexible scheduling and expected availability during standard business hours for meetings.
Position may be performed remotely or on-site with periodic in-person collaboration.
Employment contingent on successful background checks as per University policy.

Strategic Business Development Content Specialist (Part-Time) Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Office of Research Business Development within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (OSVPR) is seeking a highly strategic marketing and business development content specialist to shape high-impact content that elevates Penn State's research enterprise. This part-time position (10-20 hours per week) will support top-priority business development initiatives across OSVPR, including major new units such as the Penn State National Security Institute.

This role is centered on developing content that drives business development outcomes—attracting partners, donors, philanthropic investors, sponsors, and industry collaborators—while advancing Penn State's visibility and competitiveness as a leading research institution.

Key Responsibilities-

Develop high value, strategically aligned content that positions Penn State's research strengths for industry partners, donors, sponsors, and philanthropic or strategic collaborators.
Create marketing assets that enhance partner engagement, support fundraising and sponsorship strategies, and elevate the profile of emerging centers and strategic research initiatives.
Translate research capabilities into clear value propositions designed to foster new partnerships and strategic alliances.

Market Research Integration & Trend Analysis-

Apply market research and competitive intelligence insights to shape content that reflects current and emerging industry and philanthropic trends.
Identify external drivers—such as shifting industry priorities, technology investment patterns, emerging market sectors, and partner demand signals—and embed these insights into Penn State's strategic narratives.
Use market intelligence to recommend new storylines, messaging priorities, or content opportunities that support business development and institutional growth.

Required Capabilities-

Demonstrated expertise in strategic marketing, business development content creation and focused storytelling in research, technology, higher education, or innovation-driven environments.
Strong ability to translate complex scientific or interdisciplinary information into clear, compelling narratives tailored to industry partners, donors, and sponsors.
Skill in incorporating market research and trend data into content strategies to align with external interest and opportunity landscapes.
Ability to identify enterprise-level themes and articulate Penn State's value and differentiation across interdisciplinary areas.
Proven capability to distill broad, complex information into concise, high-impact content.
Highly self-directed, organized, and able to manage shifting priorities while meeting deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications-

Background in marketing, business development, communications, or a STEM/life science discipline.
Familiarity with the Penn State research enterprise or experience working in a research, innovation, agency or higher education environment.
Experience producing strategic announcements, business development collateral, partner-focused content, or research-aligned storytelling.
Experience working for (or with) government agencies is a plus.

Work Environment & Expectations-

This role may be performed remotely or on-site. Local candidates may join periodic in-person meetings and collaborative sessions. Availability during standard business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) is expected for meetings, while most deliverables can be completed on a flexible schedule. Estimated commitment: 10-20 hours per week.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Hotlines

Original Job Description