Business Development Coordinator
The Business Development Coordinator will develop and maintain industry partnerships at OIST. The role will involve partnership development, project management, and coordination and implementation of industry partnerships. The work includes business development activities related to OIST Innovation and the OIST's COI-NEXT Center of Excellence (Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation).
This position is funded by the JST COI-NEXT grant.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University was established in 2011 to contribute to the development of science and technology worldwide and to serve as a hub of innovation in Okinawa. OIST is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan which offers a 5-year PhD program and brings together outstanding researchers from across the country and across disciplines to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking a beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding. To facilitate multidisciplinary research, there are no academic departments. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration.
English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research, and our unwavering commitment to scientific and technological innovation is dedicated to generating progress that will fuel Okinawa's economic growth.
1. Project Management and Implementation with Partner Companies
- Plan and implement multi-faceted projects, including research aligned with OIST’s strategic goals.
- Coordinate and finalize various agreements (e.g., comprehensive partnership agreements, joint research agreements, etc.).
- Manage and oversee the implementation of agreed collaborative activities and projects in coordination with relevant teams and stakeholders.
- Provide support for commercialization of research outcomes, including internal and external coordination and negotiation.
2. Identification of Partner Companies and Market Analysis
- Analyze and identify companies whose missions, goals, and values align with OIST.
- Collect and manage comprehensive company information and maintain related databases.
- Prepare reports and presentations based on analytical results.
3. Relationship Building
- Build relationships within the OIST innovation community, including researchers and startups.
- Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential corporate partners, members of the OIST Innovation Network (INO), and other domestic and international business networks.
- Serve as a point of contact for inquiries from companies.
- Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to plan and organize industry–academia collaboration events, meetings, and activities.
4. Reporting and Evaluation
- Collect and analyze performance data related to collaborative activities.
- Prepare and update regular reports on partnership activities.
- Create and prepare materials for internal and external stakeholders related to collaboration initiatives.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Marketing, Science, or a related field, with at least three years of experience in client management or business development in a corporate environment. Experience in the life sciences field is highly desirable.
- Experience in contract negotiation, data analysis, communication, and project management.
- Ability to build relationships with faculty members and senior management of large corporations.
- Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong multitasking and adaptability skills.
- Native-level proficiency in Japanese and business-level proficiency in English.
- Proficiency in project management tools and CRM software.
- Experience supporting startup creation or growth is an advantage.
In accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations
Benefits:
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Access to Child Development Center
- Access to Schooling Options
- Language Education
- Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
- Remote Work System
- Curriculum vitae in both Japanese and English
- Cover letter in both Japanese and English
* Please click APPLY HERE to be redirected to our application platform (Interfolio) and follow the instructions there to upload the required documents.
Declaration
- OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff.
- Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential in accordance to the OIST Privacy Policy; documents will not be returned.
- Recruiting Organization: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation
- Prevention of Passive Smoking: No smoking indoors
- Please view our policy for rules on external professional activities: Rules for Concurrent Appointment.
- Further details about the University can be viewed on our website.
Full-time, fixed term appointment for 1 year. Contract initially with 6-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed by taking into consideration the performance evaluation, conduct, and behavior of the Employee and OIST’s financial and other circumstances. This contract may be renewed until the project is terminated. *
* The project is scheduled to be completed in FY2031 (it may be extended after FY2031).
Scheduled Working hours: 9:00 – 17:30
Rest period: 12:00 – 13:00
Flextime (core time 10:00-15:00) 7.5hrs per day (Multiplied by prescribed working days per month)
Holidays
Saturday, Sunday, National holidays, and Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3)
Leave
Annual Paid Holidays, Summer Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave
Thank you for your application. Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.