External Relations Specialist (6300U) - Institute of Transportation Studies

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The Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) is a leading interdisciplinary center advancing research, policy, and innovation across transportation and mobility systems. ITS partners with industry and government to move ideas from research to real-world deployment.

The External Relations role exists to grow, manage, and sustain a high-quality portfolio of industry tenants and partners at the Richmond Field Station (RFS), with a particular focus on members of the DRIVE AI consortium. This role serves as the primary interface between prospective and current tenants and the RFS ecosystem, identifying and vetting new tenant opportunities, conducting site tours, ensuring strategic and operational fit, allocating and coordinating space, executing agreements, and supporting day-to-day facility and relationship needs. The position is essential to translating DRIVE AI membership interest into on-site tenancy, activating RFS as a living lab for applied transportation and AI innovation, and ensuring that tenants are successful, supported, and aligned with the mission and operations of both DRIVE AI and Richmond Field Station.

This is a 100% FTE (full time), 1-year contract position with the possibility of extension.

The First Review Date for this job is: March 6, 2026 - Open Until Filled

25% Identifies, evaluates, and advances new tenant and partnership opportunities aligned with the Richmond Field Station and DRIVE AI missions, with a focus on industry, startup, and corporate partners. This includes outreach, qualification, and coordination with DRIVE AI leadership to convert interest into on-site tenancy.

20% Conducts site tours and engagement meetings with prospective tenants and DRIVE AI members to communicate program value, assess fit, and advance tenancy discussions. Represents RFS and DRIVE AI externally and tailors tours and conversations to prospective partner needs.

15% Manages ongoing tenant relationships and day-to-day operational support for DRIVE AI members and RFS tenants. Serves as a primary point of contact to resolve issues, support retention, and identify opportunities for expanded engagement.

10% Coordinates tenant onboarding, space planning, and allocation activities in collaboration with facilities, administrative, and program teams. Ensures space assignments align with operational requirements, safety considerations, and long-term site planning.

10% Supports execution and administration of tenancy agreements, licenses, and related documentation in coordination with internal legal and administrative stakeholders. Tracks agreement status and ensures timely, accurate, and compliant completion of required materials.

10% Manages ongoing tenant relationships and day-to-day operational support for DRIVE AI members and RFS tenants. Serves as a primary point of contact to resolve issues, support retention, and identify opportunities for expanded engagement.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge of business development concepts, partnership models, and stakeholder engagement practices applicable to industry, startup, and corporate collaborations within research, innovation, or multi-tenant environments. Demonstrated understanding of how to identify, evaluate, and advance partnership opportunities from initial outreach through execution while aligning with institutional goals and operational constraints.
• Strong analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving skills to assess prospective tenants and partners, determine strategic and operational fit, and develop practical solutions to complex space, facility, or policy-related challenges. Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative information to support informed recommendations and decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder relationships involving external partners, internal program leadership, facilities teams, administrative units, and researchers. Proven skill in navigating competing priorities, facilitating coordination, and maintaining productive working relationships in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to represent programs and facilities professionally to a wide range of audiences, including senior leadership and industry partners. Ability to prepare clear reports, presentations, and briefings that communicate value propositions, space options, and partnership considerations effectively.
• Strong organizational and operational skills to coordinate onboarding activities, track tenant pipelines and agreements, maintain accurate records, and support day-to-day tenant needs within a multi-tenant research facility. Ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously while ensuring attention to detail and compliance with institutional policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and supporting the execution of agreements, licenses, or contracts in collaboration with administrative, legal, and facilities partners. Ability to manage documentation workflows, track approvals, and ensure timely, accurate, and compliant completion of required materials in alignment with institutional and program requirements.
• Knowledge of innovation ecosystems, applied research environments, or industry consortia models such as those supporting technology development, testing, and commercialization. Ability to understand how facilities, programs, and partnerships integrate to create value for members and to identify opportunities for deeper engagement or expanded participation over time.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $91,500 to $130,200 yearly ($7,625 to $10,850 monthly); the full salary range for this payroll title (ALUMNI EXTERNAL REL SPEC 4) is $91,500 to $168,900 yearly. This is a 1-year, 100% FTE contract position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.