Partner Operations Manager

Risepoint is an education technology company that provides world-class support and trusted expertise to more than 100 universities and colleges. We primarily work with regional universities, helping them develop and grow their high-ROI, workforce-focused online degree programs in critical areas such as nursing, teaching, business, and public service. Risepoint is dedicated to increasing access to affordable education so that more students, especially working adults, can improve their careers and meet employer and community needs.

The Impact You Will Make

As a Partner Operations Manager, you will drive the operational success of Risepoint’s university partnerships by ensuring seamless program delivery and an exceptional student lifecycle experience. Serving as the primary operational liaison, you will coordinate across internal teams and partner stakeholders to execute program launches, optimize ongoing operations, and resolve challenges with efficiency and care. In this individual contributor role, you will use data and insights to improve processes, remove barriers, and enhance partner and student outcomes. Your work will directly support partner satisfaction, operational excellence, and the growth of high-quality online programs.

How You Will Bring Our Mission to Life

What You Will Do

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for assigned university partners, building strong, trust-based relationships and ensuring alignment on program goals, priorities, and timelines.

• Lead the execution of operational plans to support successful program launches and ongoing delivery, ensuring a seamless experience across the student lifecycle—from inquiry through graduation.

• Partner with internal teams (enrollment, marketing, technology, and others) to align on partner needs, coordinate deliverables, and ensure high-quality, consistent execution.

• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve operational challenges proactively; escalate complex issues as needed while maintaining a solutions-oriented, partner-focused approach.

• Drive operational excellence by implementing best practices, improving processes, and identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce friction, and enhance the student and partner experience.

• Lead change management efforts with partners by clearly communicating process improvements, guiding adoption, and ensuring smooth implementation across systems, workflows, and program structures.

• Analyze partner data, trends, and escalations to identify root causes, inform decision-making, and recommend actionable improvements that support student success and program growth.

• Ensure accurate and timely data integration, reporting, and documentation to provide visibility into performance, support strategic insights, and enable informed decision-making.

• Maintain clear and consistent communication with stakeholders by sharing updates on partner status, operational metrics, and program changes.

• Contribute to resource planning and prioritization discussions to support partner satisfaction, operational scalability, and long-term growth.

• Document processes, decisions, and partner updates to ensure transparency, consistency, and continuity across teams.

What Success Looks Like

• University partners experience smooth, consistent program operations, with successful launches and minimal disruption across the student lifecycle.

• Operational challenges are identified early and resolved effectively, with continuous improvements that enhance efficiency, partner satisfaction, and the student experience.

• Strong cross-functional coordination and data-driven insights lead to measurable improvements in program performance, supporting partner growth and expanding access to high-quality, workforce-relevant education.

How Impact Will be Measured

• Seamless Partner Operations: Successfully manage assigned university partners with on-time program launches, consistent execution of key processes, and minimal operational disruptions across the student lifecycle.

• Operational Improvements & Issue Resolution: Identify and implement process improvements that reduce friction, address root causes of recurring issues, and improve partner satisfaction and student experience.

• Partner & Business Outcomes: Build strong partner relationships and leverage data insights to improve program performance (e.g., enrollment, retention, or operational efficiency), contributing to partner growth and long-term success.

What You’ll Bring to the Team

Experience That Matters Most

• Relevant Experience: 5+ years of experience in operations, account management, or project/program management, ideally within higher education, edtech, or a complex, client-facing environment managing multiple stakeholders and priorities.

• Operational & Analytical Skills: Strong ability to manage complex workflows, improve processes, and use data to inform decisions, solve problems, and drive measurable outcomes. Experience with systems such as CRM or student information systems (SIS) is a plus.

• Relationship Management & Communication: Proven ability to build trusted relationships, collaborate cross-functionally, and communicate effectively with both internal teams and external partners, including leading through change and influencing outcomes.

Experience That’s Great to Have

• Experience supporting or partnering with universities, online programs, or enrollment operations, with familiarity in the higher education or edtech landscape.

• Exposure to change management or transformation initiatives, including helping teams adopt new processes, systems, or ways of working in a dynamic environment.

• Experience leveraging technology, data tools, or AI-enabled solutions to improve operations, generate insights, and drive efficiency or growth.

Risepoint is an equal-opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.