Summary of Position: This position leads the development and execution of partnership growth strategies that expand Indiana Wesleyan University's awareness, influence, and lead-generation pipelines through strategic relationships with external organizations. The role is responsible for leading the Expansion Partnership Executive (PE) team, while identifying and advancing innovative partnership opportunities across priority verticals.
The Executive Director is responsible for developing and scaling partnership models that create sustainable growth opportunities, increase qualified lead generation, and strengthen the university's presence in strategic markets. Primary focus areas include business-to-business partnerships, military and veteran-serving organizations, workforce development organizations, corporate education benefit providers, professional associations, and other emerging strategic sectors.
Working collaboratively with academic leadership, enrollment, marketing, student success, and operational teams, the Executive Director ensures partnership expansion strategies align with institutional priorities and market opportunities while creating scalable pathways for future growth.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Team Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lead and develop a high-performing Expansion Partnership Executive team that embodies the mission, values, and strategic priorities of Indiana Wesleyan University
- Provide leadership and direction to Partnership Executives
- Establish performance expectations, accountability measures, and professional development plans
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, strategic thinking, and continuous improvement
- Ensure alignment of team activities with institutional priorities and assigned vertical strategies
- Partnership Expansion Strategy and Vertical Development
- Develop and execute strategies that expand partnership pipelines and create new growth opportunities across priority verticals
- Identify emerging markets, industries, and partnership opportunities
- Evaluate and launch new partnership models that increase awareness and qualified lead generation
- Develop strategies to expand IWU's presence within business, military, education, workforce development, and corporate education benefit sectors
- Collaborate with university leadership to align expansion efforts with academic and institutional priorities
- Assess market trends and competitive dynamics to identify future growth opportunities
- Market Intelligence, Data and Innovation
- Leverage data, market intelligence and emerging technologies to improve partnership effectiveness
- Analyze partnership, market, and lead-generation data to identify trends and opportunities
- Utilize AI-powered tools and analytics to improve prospect identification, market research, outreach effectiveness, and strategic decision-making
- Partner with Salesforce and institutional data teams to strengthen reporting and forecasting capabilities
- Develop recommendations based on market intelligence and performance analysis
- Evaluate innovative technologies and partnership models that support growth
- Cross Functional Strategy and Market Activation
- Collaborate across the university to support successful market expansion and partnership activation
- Participate in strategic planning and institutional growth initiatives
- Build strong relationships with enrollment leaders, counselors, and support staff to promote enrollment aims
- Collaborates with academic leaders to design and execute outreach strategies
- Partnership Expansion Strategy & Vertical Development
- Develop and execute strategies that expand partnership pipelines and create new growth opportunities across priority verticals
- Identify emerging markets, industries, and partnership opportunities
- Evaluate and launch new partnership models that increase awareness and qualified lead generation
- Collaborate with university leadership to align expansion efforts with academic and institutional priorities
- Assess market trends and competitive dynamics to identify future growth opportunities
- Strategic Relationship Development
- Develop executive-level relationships that create pathways for long-term institutional growth
- Identify and cultivate relationships with organizational leaders, influencers, and decision-makers
- Facilitate strategic conversations between external organizations and university leadership
- Advance partnerships that support enrollment pipelines, workforce development, student success, and institutional objectives
- Represent IWU in key industry associations, conferences, and leadership forums
- Expand strategic partnerships within assigned verticals and emerging sectors
- Recruitment Strategies
- Aligns partnership development with recruitment strategies that will effectively communicate to an organization’s associates IWU programs and deliverables
- Advances partnerships in a way that supports sustained enrollment
- Ensure the execution of recruitment activities at partner organizations
- External Representation & Travel
- Serves as an IWU representative to organizations and events as requested from time to time to support pipeline development and student recruitment
- Frequent travel within the region is an expectation of this role
Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.
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Education
- A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required
- A master's degree is preferred
Experience
- A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in sales, partnership development, business development, strategic growth, sales leadership, workforce development, or higher education partnerships
- Demonstrated success leading teams responsible for developing strategic partnerships and growth initiatives
- Experience developing new markets, partnership models, or growth strategies preferred
Required Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Ability to develop and execute long-range growth strategies
- Demonstrated success identifying and advancing new opportunities
- Strong organizational leadership and team development skills
- Ability to lead change and innovation within complex organizations
- Relationship Development:
- Exceptional relationship-building and executive communication skills
- Ability to engage senior leaders, executives, and external stakeholders
- Strong negotiation, influence, and partnership development capabilities
- Analytical & Technical Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Experience using CRM systems, pipeline management tools, and performance analytics
- Proficiency with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to support market research, prospect identification, workflow optimization, strategic planning, communication, and data analysis
- Ability to leverage emerging technologies to improve organizational effectiveness and partnership growth
- Collaboration & Execution
- Ability to work effectively across diverse teams
- Strong project management and execution skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously
- Demonstrated ability to operate independently while maintaining alignment with institutional objectives
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IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement
IWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member's earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ's commandment to love all humankind.
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LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.
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