Director of Strategic Initiatives

USNH Employees should apply within Workday through the Jobs Hub app

The Director of Strategic Initiatives is a senior, growth-focused leader responsible for maintaining and expanding the presence of the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Prevention Innovations Research Center’s (PIRC) campus safety and wellness platform in the higher education market by securing new college and university clients and nurturing strong, long-term partnerships with existing institutions. This role is highly entrepreneurial and hands-on, ideal for someone who thrives in a small team, can wear multiple hats, and is energized by building relationships that advance student health and wellness.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Relationship Management & Retention

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of college and university clients.

• Build trusted, collaborative relationships that position the organization as a long-term wellness partner, not just a vendor.

• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction by staying closely connected to client needs, challenges, and evolving priorities.

• Identify opportunities to renew, expand, or customize wellness offerings for existing clients.

New Client Acquisition (Higher Education Focus)

• Identify, prospect, and secure new college and university partners for health and wellness programs.

• Develop and execute outreach strategies targeting key decision-makers across higher education (e.g., student affairs, counseling centers, wellness offices, athletics, administration).

• Lead the full sales cycle—from initial outreach and discovery through proposal development, presentations, and contract negotiations.

• Represent the organization at conferences, campus events, and industry forums related to higher education, mental health, and wellness.

Strategic Growth & Market Development

• Collaborate closely with leadership to shape and execute growth strategies for the higher education health and wellness market.

• Gather insights from clients and prospects to inform program development, pricing, and go-to-market strategy.

• Monitor trends in student health, mental health, and wellness to proactively identify new opportunities.

Entrepreneurial & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with a small, agile team to ensure seamless onboarding, delivery, and ongoing success of client programs.

• Contribute beyond a defined job description—supporting marketing efforts, refining sales processes, and improving internal systems as needed.

• Help build scalable, repeatable approaches to selling and delivering wellness programs while maintaining a personalized client experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus.

• 7+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or client relations—preferably in higher education, health, wellness, or related services.

• Demonstrated success selling to colleges or universities and navigating complex institutional decision-making processes.

• Strong relationship-building and consultative sales skills.

• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with limited resources.

• Passion for health, wellness, and improving student outcomes.

Key Competencies

• Deeply client-centered and mission-driven

• Strategic and consultative sales approach

• Strong communication and presentation skills

• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset

• Collaborative, adaptable, and resourceful

Applicant Instructions

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

• Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Compensation Pay Range:

$25 per hour

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subje