National Education Partners

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships – Texas provides strategic leadership for Workforce Education Solutions in Texas to represent National University on various government and workforce development associations and boards as well as develops strategic partnerships with organizations throughout Texas. The goal of these partnerships is to develop consultative solutions targeted to high level talent management professionals at Fortune 500 organizations, healthcare systems, K-12 districts and associations, and community colleges. The Executive Director will need to be comfortable and proficient interfacing with senior corporate HR and learning and development personnel, K-12 school and district administrators, and community college staff, faculty, and administrators. Formulates and implements strategies to enhance the brand and reputation of National University and its partners. Collaborates with National University marketing teams to create, implement, and manage the Workforce Education Solutions brand identity, marketing plans and student recruitment efforts in Texas. Exhibits innovative leadership through creativity, diversity, and inclusive engagement within the university, the evolving business community, alumni, student population and other stakeholders. While prioritizing resources and considering the competitive landscape in the region, the Executive Director will organize, plan, and establish priorities to develop and lead a high-quality, highly respected program within the business community, assist the Vice President with strategic initiatives, miscellaneous tasks and projects as needed, and act as a lead and role model for Workforce Education Solutions staff members. Additionally, will hire, supervise, and develop a team of business development and outreach staff supporting the primary regions in Texas. Provides high quality service to all constituencies of National University while always maintaining the highest professional standards and ethical principles.

This role requires frequent travel throughout Texas and other key markets, the candidate should preferably reside in the Houston or Dallas or Fort Worth area.

Essential Functions:

• Provide corporate outreach and business development by working in coordination with the WES teams, university leaders, and faculty in identifying and implementing partnership opportunities resulting in increased enrollments and revenue from partner organizations.
• Manage and guide the creation of innovative, uniquely competitive, and distinct high-performing partnerships that result in future growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with other Workforce Education Solutions vertical teams and leadership to align program approaches and development with identified market force needs.
• Implement adaptive and advanced technology-based approaches to ensure student attraction and engagement.
• Develop and achieve region and program enrollment goals and projections in consultation with the Vice President.
• Manage and oversee development and implementation of annual and long-range recruitment and strategic plans.
• Maintain and implement working knowledge of current trends and best practices in corporate partnership development, B2B business development, and B2C enrollment.
• Design and manage recruitment activities such as student forums, graduate school fairs, trade shows, conferences, open house/information sessions, prospective student meetings, and walk-ins.
• Represent the university at on-and-off-campus events, programs, and other outreach activities.
• Hires, leads, inspires, and directs staff in each area of responsibility by promoting direction and leadership on a day-to-day basis. Provides ongoing supervision, coaching, training, and mentoring to individual team members.
• Provide leadership in ensuring partner and student information is updated and managed into systems accurately and in a timely manner.
• Serve as the university representative on various chamber, workforce commissions, and economic development bodies throughout key markets in Texas.
• Work closely with current students and alumni on various quarterly events including graduation, orientation, open houses, and holiday parties.
• Maintain close relationships with program alumni, develop special events and continuous education programs for alumni, and participate in those activities.
• Monitor all expenses related to recruiting and admissions, information sessions, open houses, admitted student days, yield activities, brochures, collateral marketing materials, advertising, promotional activities, website maintenance, etc. 
• Maintain knowledge of best practices for online course development and maintenance and discuss these features with key leaders at organizational partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Supervisor duties to include:

• Leads WES business development and outreach staff hired to generate prospective student inquiries, develop organizational partnerships, and otherwise represent National University in their region.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in a combination of business development, operations, and developing relationships with corporate leaders and academic professionals with at least seven years of experience in higher education.
• Market awareness in the MBA market preferred.
• Experience working in a technology-driven enterprise preferred.
• All skills, abilities and education will be considered for minimum qualifications.

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Exceptional community relations skills, ability to represent the University and help build public understanding of the University’s brand and values.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills; strong attention to details and the ability to balance a variety of tasks and deadlines. Extremely well organized and strategic, with strong attention to detail.
• Openness, flexibility, and decisiveness to lead and inspire internal and external constituencies. Commitment to diversity and equality.
• A flexible and creative thinker able to find and create opportunities for partnerships.
• An independent, strategic thinker with good judgment, sensitivity, and common sense.
• Self-motivated, outgoing and results oriented; ability and desire to set and reach ambitious goals.
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to project professional competence, leadership capability and personal maturity.
• Actively seeks to influence, build effective relationships, and gain alignment with peers, functional partners, and/or external partners to accomplish business objectives. 
• Ability to communicate with and influence executive leadership.
• Ability to drive towards achieving measurable and challenging goals to support organizational success. Demonstrates the ability to focus on achieving results consistent with the organization’s objectives. As a leader, develops goals based on the organization’s vision, mission, strategic goals, and objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate and build strong working relationships with a wide range of individuals of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions.
• Excellent customer service skills. Must have excellent organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills, effective public speaking capability, be detail and goal-oriented and able to multi-task. 
• Must be able to adhere to strict deadlines and possess leadership, training, marketing, and advertising experience. 
• Strong computer and database management skills; demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented environment. 
• Proven ability to work cooperatively and sensitively with individuals from diverse cultures, ethnic groups, lifestyles, and backgrounds.
• Intermediate to advanced use of computers and Microsoft Office Suite Applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Proficiency with Salesforce CRM.
• Ability to learn new software programs as required.

Location: Remote

Travel: Travel Required; up to 50% for employer/partnership cultivation and participation in partnership and events as a key representative of National University. Frequent travel throughout Texas, as well as other key markets in the United States as needed.

#LI-KA1

Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies. Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family. For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

Compensation Range:

Annual Salary: $0.00 - $132,935.00

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality, diverse workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 5,000 faculty and staff and serves over 41,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community and a commitment to diversity. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our diverse student population, including adult learners and working professionals.

National University offers an opportunity to work in an innovative environment that supports diversity.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a diverse mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University. We are focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of race, color, ancestry, age, family care status, veteran status, marital status, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and other legally protected group status.