Business Development Lead - MI Fellows Program, University of Michigan

The University of Michigan Advanced Manufacturing Institute (UMAMI) is seeking a Business Development Lead to drive industry engagement and project sourcing for the Manufacturing Innovation (MI) Fellows Program. This program connects top U-M students with small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to deliver practical, high-impact solutions in areas such as automation, AI, product development, and process improvement (or other manufacturing-related needs as identified by SMMs). You can find out more about the MI Fellows Program using this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wfgFYs88JlTkPQDrqvsTivot6qWApTYD/view

This role focuses on identifying and developing industry partnerships that lead to well-scoped, high-value projects. The ideal candidate brings deep experience working with manufacturers and can translate real operational challenges into actionable opportunities for innovation., * Identify, engage, and develop relationships with small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in Southeast Michigan (engagements outside of SE Michigan are also possible, if work can be done remotely, e.g., computer-aided design)

• Build and manage a pipeline of industry-sponsored projects aligned with MI Fellows’ capabilities
• Conduct consultative outreach to diagnose manufacturing pain points (e.g., process inefficiencies, labor shortages, quality challenges)
• Work with companies to scope and define projects suitable for 12-week execution cycles
• Deliver workshops, demos, and presentations to communicate program value and generate leads
• Leverage and expand networks across organizations such as Ann Arbor SPARK, MMTC, Detroit Regional Chamber, and manufacturing/automation groups
• Serve as the primary interface between industry partners and UMAMI leadership
• Track engagement and pipeline activity using CRM tools, Success Metrics
• Number and quality of projects sourced and converted
• Growth and strength of industry partner network
• Repeat engagement and long-term partnerships
• Alignment of projects with program impact and feasibility

Engagement Structure

· This role is structured as a project-based engagement with an initial 3-month contract, focused on clearly defined business development deliverables (e.g., pipeline creation, qualified leads, and secured projects).

• 5-10+ years in industrial sales, technical consulting, or account management targeting manufacturers (especially SMMs)
• Strong existing network in Southeast Michigan manufacturing ecosystem
• Demonstrated ability in consultative selling and translating technical needs into solutions
• Familiarity with manufacturing technologies (e.g., automation, additive manufacturing, AI, simulation, process optimization)
• Experience delivering client-facing presentations, workshops, or demos
• Proficiency with CRM tools and pipeline management

Mindset & Profile

• Hunter + Farmer: capable of both cold outreach and long-term relationship building
• Comfortable positioning the program as a low-cost, high-impact problem-solving resource (not a traditional consulting service)
• Highly results-oriented, with a focus on converting conversations into projects
• Able to operate at the intersection of technical and business conversations, * industrial sales, marketing or technical consulting: 5 years (Preferred)

· Compensation is negotiable and will consist of modest base compensation plus performance-based commission tied to the successful conversion of industry opportunities into funded MI Fellows projects.

· Contracts may be renewed or expanded based on performance and program needs, with opportunities for continued engagement as the MI Fellows Program scales.

Pay: $3,000.00 - $7,500.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• Are you familiar with manufacturing technologies (e.g., automation, additive manufacturing, AI, simulation, process optimization)?