Industry Partnership Lead at ETH AI Center
The ETH AI Center is one of the largest university centers in the world for artificial intelligence, comprising over 110 professors from all 16 departments of ETH Zurich and more than 1,500 associated PhD students and postdocs. Our mission is to amplify human potential by fostering groundbreaking ideas through interdisciplinary AI research and facilitating the transition from science to society. We strive to push the boundaries of AI innovation and drive impactful projects. As the Industry Partnership Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI research and industry applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and expand the ETH AI Center’s industry engagement function, developing long-term, impactful partnerships.
- Drive revenue growth by managing third-party funding across the ETH AI Center and Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI), with clear objectives tracked monthly, quarterly, and annually.
- Build and close a pipeline of industry partnerships end-to-end, personally leading complex, multi-stakeholder deals with senior industry leaders.
- Shape the partner journey, helping companies enhance their AI capabilities over time through actionable partnership strategies.
- Grow and retain long-term partners through effective expectation management, joint goal-setting, and navigating AI trends to spot collaborative opportunities for research.
- Lead and scale the partnerships team by establishing scalable processes, CRM systems, and data-driven reporting tools.
- Align internal stakeholders across ETH, SNAI, and partner institutions, positioning the ETH AI Center as a leading partner for AI transformation.
Qualifications
- 6+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or sales in complex environments such as deep tech, research, or enterprise;
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a high degree of ownership and a willingness to engage in hands-on work;
- Strong strategic and operational thinking; able to conceptualize systems while executing tasks effectively;
- Proven ability to close high-value, multi-stakeholder deals;
- Experience building or scaling partnership, sales, or business development functions;
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills to engage senior stakeholders in both industry and academia;
- Strong interest in AI and technology, with the capability to translate technical subjects into business value;
- Experience operating across organizational boundaries and navigating complex stakeholder environments;
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field; a technical background is a plus;
- Fluency in English; proficiency in German is a strong plus.
What We Offer
- Access to top researchers and industry leaders;
- A small, dynamic, and agile team environment;
- A modern office located in Zurich Oerlikon, at the heart of tech innovation;
- Facilitated access to ETH infrastructure.
If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for AI and a desire to create a significant impact in a rapidly evolving field, we encourage you to join us at the ETH AI Center. Collaborate with leading faculty, global partners, and a thriving ecosystem in Zurich.
The position is initially limited to a duration of one year, with the intention to extend.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Further information about the ETH AI Center can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Alexandra Janosi at alexandra.janosi@ai.ethz.ch (no applications).
For recruitment services, the General Terms and Conditions of ETH Zurich apply.