Executive Director, Strategic Partnership Expansion

Job Title: Executive Director, Strategic Partnership Expansion

Reporting Relationship: Associate VP, Strategic Partnerships & Expansion

Unit: National & Global

Department: Partnerships - IWU National & Global

Campus Location: Online/Remote

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-