Director Business Development & Strategy

Director works closely with Academic Affairs, Enrollment, Finance, Advancement, and external organizations to diversify revenue, expand enrollment opportunities, and strengthen the institution’s long-term financial sustainability.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement

• Seek, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, school districts, community organizations, and higher education institutions.
• Assess partnership opportunities for mission alignment, strategic value, operational feasibility, and financial impact.
• Coordinate due diligence, risk assessment, and internal stakeholder vetting.
• Support contract development in collaboration with the CFO.

2. New Initiatives Development

• Identify and evaluate new revenue opportunities including academic programs, non-credit offerings, certificates, workforce development programs, and auxiliary enterprises.
• Conduct market research, competitor benchmarking, enrollment demand analyses, and cost/benefit modeling.
• Prepare business cases, financial pro formas (in collaboration with the Office of Finance), and recommendations for executive consideration.
• Lead feasibility studies in collaboration with Academic Affairs, Enrollment, Finance, and external stakeholders.

3. Responding to External Partnership Requests

• Serve as the primary institutional contact for outside organizations seeking to explore partnership opportunities.
• Receive, prioritize, and respond to inquiries from businesses, nonprofits, school districts, government agencies, and community groups.
• Conduct initial assessments of alignment with institutional mission, academic capacity, workforce relevance, and strategic priorities.
• Facilitate introductory conversations to clarify partnership goals, expectations, timelines, and resource needs.
• Coordinate internally with the Provost, Finance, Academic Affairs, Enrollment, and other units to evaluate feasibility and interest.
• Provide timely and professional follow-up to external entities regarding progress, outcomes, and next steps.
• Maintain a centralized log of all external requests, including status, communications, and decision history.

4. Market & Financial Analysis

• Work with the Office of Finance to prepare financial models for proposed initiatives, including projected revenue, expenses, net contribution, capital needs, and return-on-investment.
• Monitor external market trends and emerging opportunities in higher education, workforce development, online learning, and alternative credentials.
• Provide ongoing analyses to support institutional financial planning and strategic decision-making.
• Present proposals and updates to campus leadership and committees.

5. Project Management & Implementation

• Manage implementation of approved initiatives, including timeline development, milestones, risk mitigation, and cross-department coordination.
• Ensure initiatives integrate with campus departments (e.g., Finance, Enrollment, Academic Affairs, IT, Advancement, and Marketing).
• Track project performance, outcomes, and financial results; provide regular progress reports to senior leadership and other constituents.

6. Communication & Reporting

• Produce executive summaries, presentations, and briefing materials for senior leadership and other audiences.
• Maintain and track a pipeline of prospective opportunities, including status, benefits, risks, and projected impact.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure transparency and shared understanding of goals and expectations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in business development, program development, market analysis, or strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in conducting market research, evaluating financial feasibility, and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong project management ability.

Preferred

• Master’s degree.
• Experience developing academic or workforce programs.
• Familiarity with enrollment management, finance operations, and accreditation considerations.
• Experience negotiating contracts or partnership agreements.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking.
• Financial modeling and business-case development.
• Relationship management and communication.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Project management and execution.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with mission alignment.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.

Please include a cover letter with your resume to be considered.

Full benefit package including holidays and time off