Director, Executive Education

City: West Lafayette

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Director of Executive Education is a strategic leader who advances Purdue University's mission by developing innovative executive and professional learning experiences that help individuals, organizations, and industries thrive. Serving as a trusted advisor and recognized expert in executive education, this role drives growth, fosters meaningful industry partnerships, and creates transformative learning opportunities that deliver real-world impact. Working at the intersection of business, innovation, and workforce development, the Director collaborates with faculty, corporate leaders, and partners across Purdue to design forward-thinking programs that address today's most pressing challenges-including leadership development, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and organizational growth.

This highly visible leadership role champions new ideas, builds strategic partnerships, and leads cross-functional initiatives that expand the reach and reputation of the Daniels School of Business. Through a commitment to operational excellence, learner success, and continuous innovation, the Director helps shape the future of executive education while advancing Purdue's land-grant mission of serving industry, communities, and society.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the strategy, growth, and innovation of Executive Education programs and services.
• Develop new executive education offerings, learning solutions, and delivery models that meet evolving workforce and industry needs.
• Identify market opportunities, growth initiatives, and partnership opportunities that expand Executive Education's impact and revenue.
• Collaborate with faculty, industry experts, Purdue Online, TAP, and university partners to design high-quality learning experiences.
• Establish and improve operational processes, performance metrics, pricing models, and business practices that support sustainable growth.
• Monitor program performance and recommend improvements to enhance client outcomes, quality, and financial results.
• Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance on executive and professional education trends and best practices.
• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and represent Executive Education through client engagement, presentations, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Mentor and support colleagues while fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence.
• Drive customized learning solutions in areas such as leadership development, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and financial acumen.
• Develop a standing network of highly qualified faculty along with a new cadre of qualified adjuncts and practitioners to deliver subject matter to clients.
• Engaged with contract negotiation, terms, and university requirements.
• Responsible for overall P&L of the unit.
• Ensure polished, professional program delivery.

About Mitch Daniels School of Business: The Mitch Daniels School of Business aspires to take a top 25 program and transform it into a top 10 program that competes for the best students in the country. The key components of this transformation are:

• Academic Prowess. Daniels School faculty are able to see and steer to what's next, imparting thought leadership to peers in an ever-growing student body.
• Integration of STEM and Business. Every company today is a technology organization, and business leaders must understand how specific technologies can create competitive advantage.
• Transformational Student Experience. Some of life's most important lessons aren't found in a book or a lecture hall. Active transformational experience will produce critical thinkers who see and tackle the world's largest problems.
• Freedom and Capitalism. Daniels students will learn through transformative texts that free markets have raised living standards tremendously for all people.
• Powered by Business Partnerships. The Daniels School provides opportunities for industry partners and alumni to connect with students and faculty in order to provide solutions to business challenges of today and the future.

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will need:

• BA/BS in related field
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in executive education, professional learning, business development, workforce development, higher education partnerships, consulting, operational excellence, or related fields
• Have experience working in a corporate setting, and/or leadership within higher education or a non-profit
• Demonstrated success in developing strategic partnerships and implementing innovative learning solutions
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and influencing outcomes without direct authority

Skills needed:

• Entrepreneurial mindset and passion for building/leading new initiatives
• Independent problem-solving skills and strong sense of self-motivation/initiative
• Ability to thrive in the unknown
• Superior customer relationship and account management skills
• Adept at building collaborative relationships at varying levels of leadership, particularly with corporate executives
• Be comfortable working with executives
• Ability to manage multiple ongoing projects with tight timelines and limited supervision
• Maintains grace under pressure and professionalism to meet client needs/demands
• Ability to work independently and/or in a team environment
• Knowledge of business education topics
• Prior knowledge/use of Salesforce and other CRM platforms; Airtable a plus

What is helpful:

• MS or MBA
• 2-3 years of experience (counts towards the 8 yrs required) working with executives in a customer relationship management or project management role
• Experience planning and executing professional sales calls or meetings
• Experience designing executive education, leadership development, or workforce development programs

Additional Information:

• To learn more about Purdue's benefits summary CLICK HERE
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately

Career Stream

Professional 5


Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php