Business Development & Partnerships Manager – Biola LEARN

Position Description

 The Business Development & Partnerships Manager for Biola LEARN will drive revenue growth and expand market reach by developing mission-aligned partnerships across organizations, institutions, churches, corporations, associations, and strategic education networks for Biola’s portfolio of online and custom learning offerings.

This role owns the full partnership lifecycle—from pipeline development and prospecting to consultative discovery, proposal creation, CRM management, and advancement through close. The manager will combine strong business development discipline with a consultative, relationship-driven approach, translating Biola LEARN’s academic strengths and mission into clear, measurable outcomes for partners and learners.

As a key contributor to Biola LEARN’s expansion strategy, this individual will integrate strategic thinking, entrepreneurial initiative, and effective communication to build sustainable partnerships that connect Biola’s value with the evolving needs of external constituencies while driving both impact and revenue growth.

Alignment with Theological Positions

The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position.  As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola.

Department

Enrollment Management

Supervisor

This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Marketing

Educational Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience in business development, partnership development, consultative sales, enrollment growth, corporate learning, edtech, nonprofit partnerships, ministry partnerships, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Work Requirements

• This is a full-time, hybrid position requiring some days onsite, with travel as needed for partner meetings, conferences, and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Develop, manage, and advance a qualified pipeline of new business development and partnership opportunities for Biola LEARN.

• Prospect, qualify, and close organizational partnership opportunities across target markets, including churches, schools, companies, nonprofits, professional associations, peer institutions, and international partners.

• Own assigned revenue, pipeline, and partnership development goals in alignment with Biola LEARN’s growth strategy.

• Conduct consultative discovery with prospective partners to understand organizational goals, learner needs, budget, decision process, timeline, and success metrics.

• Identify opportunities for custom programs, continuing education, discipleship training, professional development, and other online learning solutions.

• Support individual learner enrollment growth through partnership-driven demand generation, referral channels, and strategic outreach.

• Accountable for generating measurable new revenue through institutional and corporate partnerships, custom program agreements, and licensing arrangements. This role carries defined annual targets that reflect both a ramp period in the first year and full productivity expectations thereafter.

Partnership Strategy & Relationship Management

• Build and manage strategic relationships with external partners to expand Biola LEARN’s reach, visibility, and revenue opportunities.

• Cultivate partnerships with peer institutions, schools, churches, ministry organizations, companies, associations, and e-learning units.

• Serve as a professional representative of Biola LEARN in external meetings, conferences, industry events, and strategic partner conversatio