Director, Military and Veteran Outreach

Position Summary

The Director, MilVet Outreach leads efforts in engaging and supporting military veterans across various communities. Develops and implements outreach strategies to connect with veterans, provide resources, and promote our National University’s mission. Responsible for developing and executing national initiatives (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, Reserve, Military Spouses and Dependents, Veterans, and Veteran Spouses and Dependents) and oversee third-party partner strategic relationships within their assigned geographic area of responsibility (including but not limited to Military Installations, Education Services Officers, Veteran Service Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, State and Regional Advisory Councils on Military Education). 

Identify needs of Military and Veteran communities, recognizing potential opportunities to grow enrollment with existing and new external partners. Engages with external partners including employers and larger organizations (including but not limited to the 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
• Tuition Assistance
• Customized Education
• Workforce Development
• Hiring Partnerships
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training
• Prior Learning Credit/Military Affiliated American Council on Education (ACE) recommended creditsn.

Candidate must reside in either San Diego, CA, Norfolk VA, or Washington DC, Texas, Arizona, or Florida metro areas.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and execute comprehensive outreach programs targeting military veterans, active-duty service members, and veteran support organizations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with veteran communities, government agencies, veteran service organizations (VSOs), and military installations.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop veteran-focused programs, events, and initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for veterans seeking support, information, or resources from our organization.
• Conduct outreach events, workshops, and informational sessions to raise awareness about our services and engage with veterans.
• Develop and oversee marketing materials and communication strategies tailored to veteran audiences.
• Provide guidance and support to veteran clients navigating services and resources available through our organization.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of outreach efforts, collecting feedback and data to inform program enhancements.
• Provide strategic direction and vision for the department or division in alignment with organizational goals.
• Build and develop high-performing teams through recruitment, training, guiding, and empowerment.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• Make informed decisions and solve complex problems utilizing research and analysis to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
• 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.
• 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.
• Implement a national business plan that supports expansion of Military and Veteran enrollment across the Armed Forces in and outside the continental U.S based on assigned Service branch and geographic area of responsibility.
• Manage and supervise field and internal staff.  Directs department staff in the areas of staffing and managing programs.
• Collaborate internally and externally with academic colleges/departments as well as relevant campus administrative units to develop and grow educational partnerships.
• 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.
• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervisor duties to include: Hire, train, and develop up to 12 direct reports.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of ten (10) years of related experience required.
• 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:

• Proven experience in outreach, community engagement, or veteran services, with a focus on building relationships and partnerships.
• Deep understanding of military culture, veteran issues, and the challenges faced by military personnel transitioning to civilian life.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in program development, event planning, and public speaking.
• Knowledge of veteran support organizations, government programs, and resources available to veterans.
• Passion for supporting military veterans and their families, with a commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.
• 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.
• 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.
• Advanced use of computers and Microsoft Office Suite Applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
• Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) is preferred.

Location: Remote

Travel: Frequent Travel Required; up to 50% for employer/partnership cultivation and participation in partnership and system-wide events as a representative of National University.

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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.