Director, Academic Partnerships

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Virginia.

📋 Description

• Formulate and implement a strategic growth initiative targeting colleges, universities, community colleges, and higher education systems.

• Develop a strong pipeline that spans from prospecting to contract execution and implementation.

• Cultivate relationships with academic leaders, including deans, department chairs, and workforce development offices.

• Navigate through university procurement, governance, and budgeting frameworks.

• Identify opportunities to integrate HRCI certifications and learning solutions into academic curricula and workforce readiness programs.

• Design innovative partnership models, such as co-branded learning, stackable credentials, and platform integrations.

• Create and execute partnership strategies that align with annual business objectives.

• Oversee the entire partner revenue lifecycle from concept and pipeline creation to deal closure and onboarding.

• Generate multi-million-dollar total contract value through strategic targeting and channel optimization.

• Track performance metrics and ROI across various partnership types.

• Drive new business through outreach, networking, referrals, and strategic account development.

• Manage lengthy sales cycles through consistent follow-up and stakeholder engagement.

• Maintain pipeline forecasts and activity logs within CRM systems.

• Negotiate terms of contracts, pricing structures, and service level agreements.

• Develop customized partner engagement frameworks.

• Monitor partner health using KPIs and refine processes for scalability.

• Act as the primary relationship manager for strategic higher education accounts.

• Identify opportunities for account expansion, renewals, and deeper institutional adoption.

• Collaborate with product and academic affairs teams to customize offerings for institutional partners.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in business development, strategic sales, account management, or partnerships.

• Extensive experience in selling to colleges and universities.

• Proven track record in developing and closing complex, multi-stakeholder opportunities within higher education institutions.

• Demonstrated ability to create new business opportunities while sustaining and expanding strategic relationships.

• Experience in personally generating millions in new total contract value through long-cycle enterprise deals and rapid-cycle pilots.

• Background in leading CRM enhancements and contributing to product development.

• At least 3 years of experience in people and project management.

• Experience in selling certifications, educational technology, or workforce development solutions is highly preferred.

• Knowledge of the HR industry or relevant certification is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with higher education decision-making and procurement processes.

• Capacity to influence diverse stakeholders without direct authority.

• A Bachelor's Degree is required.

• A Master's Degree is highly desirable.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance

• Generous time off

• 401(k) matching

• Parental leave

• Flexible working environment

• Opportunities for professional development

• Autonomy to advance your career

• Recognition as a Top Workplace

• Team-oriented culture