Director, Strategic Partnerships Military, Veterans, and Defense Industry

Position Summary

The Director, Strategic Partnerships Military, Veterans, and Defense Industry provides strategic planning and implementation of a system-wide framework and efforts to promote and grow Military, Veteran, and Defense Industry Affiliated Strategic Partnerships for National University. Develops and activates national initiatives (including but not limited to Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, Reserve, Defense Industry, Military Spouses and Dependents, Veterans, and Veteran Spouses and Dependents). Oversees third-party partner strategic relationships within their assigned geographic area of responsibility (including but not limited to Military Installations, Education Services Officers, Veteran Facilities, Veteran Service Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, State and Regional Advisory Councils on Military Education and Defense Industry Companies).

In collaboration with Senior Vice President, Military and Government Affairs, identifies the needs of designated Military and Veteran communities, recognizing potential opportunities to grow awareness, enrollment and student and university success with existing and new external partners. Engages external partners including employers and larger organizations (including but not limited to local representatives of Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor) with experience and knowledge in key areas including the following:

• Military and Veterans Benefits
• Transition Assistance
• Tuition Assistance
• Customized Education
• Workforce Development
• Business Development
• Hiring Partnerships
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training
• Prior Learning Credit/Military Affiliated American Council on Education (ACE) recommended credits

Essential Functions:

• Lead the development and execution of national and regional military and veteran affiliated strategic partnerships and channel strategies to drive revenue across multiple segments of the Military and Veteran community and the University.
• Proactive representative with expectations to engage regional leaders in discussions and decisions related to establishing expanded access to National University, partnerships, and opportunities.  
• Develop relationships with employers and industry leaders to understand and translate industry and professional needs into relevant course offerings and training.
• Design and develop a framework and processes; effectively manage strategic partnerships, tracking and measurement mechanisms to grow enrollment.
• Lead alignment efforts with various departments, faculty, and leadership throughout the university affiliates to maximize outreach and partnership enrollment-focused and relationship goals. This is accomplished by working with Academics, Registrar, Enrollment, Career Services, WES Training and Development, and other departments that increase understanding, acceptance, and support for WES among all constituents.
• Collect, analyze, and create reports for senior leadership on outcome metrics.
• Participate in budget planning by providing historical data and projections. Prioritizes requests for enhancements to existing resources.
• Partake in monthly leadership planning meetings with senior leadership.
• Adhere to all University policies, procedures, and practices.
• Develop and implement business plans that supports Military and Veteran growth, expansion, and support across the Armed Forces inside and outside the continental U.S.
• Provide oversight and fiscal management to ensure sustainable budget models for a variety of programmatic activities, in accordance with National University policies, with a minimum goal of self-sufficiency and a long-term goal of appropriate revenue generation for the institution.
• Formulate and implement strategies to enhance the brand and reputation of National University and its partners.
• Collaborate with National University marketing teams to create, implement, and manage the Workforce Education and Community Solutions brand identity specifically for Military Connected students and communities, marketing plans and student recruitment efforts.
• Collaborate internally and externally with academic colleges/departments as well as relevant campus administrative units to develop and grow educational partnerships and pathways.
• Co-develop and implement business processes that support and sustain partnership enrollment growth.
• Co-develop and implement onboarding and services designed to support and sustain educational partnership implementation.
• Set clear performance metrics and expectations, monitor progress, and provide feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by encouraging experimentation and embracing new ideas.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, foster collaboration across departments, and promote transparency.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and alliances to enhance National University’s competitive position and create new opportunities for growth.
• Lead by example and uphold ethical standards in all aspects of decision making and behavior.
• Lead and support team members through organizational changes and initiatives.
• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervisor duties to include: Hire, train, and develop up to 3 direct reports.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree in a related field, required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant industry experience with demonstrated ability to build partnerships within national organizations required.
  • Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, or the Department of Veterans Affairs, preferred.
• Leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Experience working in a technology-driven enterprise preferred.
• All skills, abilities and education will be considered for minimum qualifications.

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Relevant experience and knowledge with military education and transition programs and community resources.
• Acts as a role model. Anticipates and plans for changes including communicating vision with the team.  Ability to influence others to obtain results using a wide degree of creativity and latitude. Working knowledge in building teams.
• Ability to understand, diagnose and plan for business issues, processes, structure, outcomes, and profitability. Understands the implications of decision and actions, including a deep understanding of the overall big picture of the business; able to take an idea from concept to reality.
• Aptitude to drive towards achieving measurable and challenging goals to support organizational success. Demonstrate 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 and strategic goals and objectives.
• Actively seeks opportunities to influence, build effective relationships and gain alignment with peers, functional partners and/or external partners to accomplish business objectives.
• Extensive higher-education institutional knowledge, including advanced understanding of the NUS, its mission, values, and structure. Working knowledge of academic culture, specifically regarding issues of greatest public interest, such as online educational programs.
• Ability to be an independent, flexible, creative, critical, and strategic thinker with solid judgement, sensitivity and logical reasoning including self-motivated and results oriented.
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to project professional competence, leadership capability and successfully communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community making a positive impression in public forums.  Ability to interact appropriately with industry leaders, faculty, and staff.
• Exceptional community relations skills with the ability to represent the University and help build public understanding of University’s brand and values.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, excellent organizational skills with attention to detail, good follow-up and follow-through. Excellent analytical skills in addition to collecting, organizing, and presenting information in a relevant manner.
• Advanced use of computers and Microsoft Office Suite Applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
• Foster a cooperative spirit within a large and/or small team of diverse cultures across the organization and all levels while working in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and frequently changing priorities.
• Extensive knowledge of military and veteran benefits and higher education issues that impact the Military and Veteran community.

Location: Remote

Travel: Frequent Travel Required; up to 60% for employer/partnership cultivating, participating, and representing National University at events.

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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:

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.