Business Development Manager SkyDeck

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan .

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Berkeley SkyDeck is one of the top tech accelerators in the U.S. and part of UC Berkeley. SkyDeck is home to 280+ startups a year and is a joint venture of UC Berkeley's College of Engineering, the Haas School of Business, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. SkyDeck's mission is to serve as the leading hub for entrepreneurship globally.

Position Summary

SkyDeck's Business Development team focuses on partnerships with third-parties that include corporations, service providers, government, other universities, and more. Business development is a key revenue driver for SkyDeck as well as provides our startup founders with resources, benefits and connections with partners as well as increases SkyDeck's global reputation. Reporting to the Head of Business Developments, this position will primarily focus on securing, implementing, and managing annual partnerships from our resource partners who offers goods and services to SkyDeck's founders. This position will perform the full cycle of partnership development from identifying potential partnerships to full implementation of agreed upon terms as well as ongoing support and management. Additionally, this position may entail supporting other partnership activities, such as annual corporate partnerships and international partnerships.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/13/2026.

Responsibilities

Relationship management with third-parties to act as first point of contact.

• This includes extensive and ongoing communication, such as proactive and reactive support, in-person and virtual meetings, emails/Slack messages, and more.
• Additionally, you will be expected to organize and attend strategic events, including an on-site Resource Fair, networking happy hours, and more.

Management (end-to-end) of sponsorship activity for key engagements, such as Demo Day & Resource Fair.

• This includes bringing in donations from sponsors, managing communications and invitations for event/s, organizing logistics, and in-person being the leader on the day-of events.

Market analyses to determine growth opportunities, competitive landscape, and more.

• This includes researching market trends to identify how Berkeley SkyDeck can grow and evolve, and it may also include understanding partnership offerings from potential third-parties via independent research and personal outreach.

Relationship management with startups to drive adoption of partners' services.

• This includes helping connect SkyDeck's startups with SkyDeck's partners to understand and adopt the products/services offered by the third-parties.
• This may include organizing/hosting webinars, answering emails, managing virtual resources, and more.

Maintain dashboards and databases to track partners, engagements, revenue, and more.

• This includes creating and managing a system to track all third parties with whom SkyDeck partners, our key engagements and interactions, the revenue driven and partnership terms, and other operational and strategic considerations to properly manage a long-term sponsorship.

Work collaboratively with broader SkyDeck team to implement partner activities into core programming.

• This includes working with our program staff to ensure partner events, such as lunch and learns as well as the Resource Fair, are scheduled to maximize attendance and fit into the program's overall schedule.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience with business development concepts and best practices, such as relationship building and effective collateral.
• Quantitative and analytical skills to solve problems with data and provide insights.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), including clear and tailored communication.
• Strong problem-solving skills to propose and execute solutions.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills to create and manage effective system.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

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 annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $95,000.00 - $115,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

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.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.