Reports To: Vice President for Business Affairs

Position Summary

The Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives advances Wilmington College's mission by developing and supporting collaborative, mission-aligned partnerships and institutional initiatives that enhance student success, expand access, and strengthen long-term sustainability.

This role works across campus and with external partners to identify opportunities for academic programs, workforce development, community engagement, and enrollment growth. The Director conducts research and analysis, facilitates cross-functional planning, and leads initiatives from concept through implementation in close collaboration with Academic Affairs, Enrollment, Finance, Advancement, and community stakeholders.

The position serves as a key liaison between the College and external organizations, ensuring partnership opportunities are aligned with institutional priorities, capacity, and mission.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Develop, cultivate, and sustain partnerships with school districts, community colleges, universities, nonprofits, employers, and community organizations.
• Serve as a collaborative liaison between the College and external stakeholders to advance shared educational and workforce goals.
• Evaluate partnership opportunities for mission alignment, student impact, operational feasibility, and financial sustainability.
• Coordinate internal review processes, including academic, financial, and operational considerations.
• Support partnership agreement development in collaboration with the Office of Finance and senior leadership.

2. Support Development of Academic and Programmatic Initiatives

• Support development of new academic programs, certificates, non-credit offerings, and workforce development initiatives.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs and Enrollment to assess program viability and alignment with student and market demand.
• Conduct environmental scans, labor market research, and benchmarking of peer institutions.
• Assist in building business cases and implementation plans for new initiatives.
• Support initiatives that expand student pathways, improve retention, and create new enrollment opportunities.

3. External Partnership and Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for organizations seeking to partner with the College.
• Facilitate initial conversations to understand partner goals, community needs, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Guide prospective partners through a structured and transparent exploration process.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (Academic Affairs, Enrollment, Finance, Advancement, etc.) to evaluate feasibility.
• Maintain ongoing relationships and ensure clear, timely communication with external partners.
• Track and manage a centralized pipeline of partnership opportunities and engagement activities.

4. Institutional Research, Analysis, and Planning Support

• Conduct research and analysis related to higher education trends and community demographics.
• Partner with the Office of Finance to assess financial implications of proposed initiatives.
• Provide insights and recommendations to support institutional planning and decision-making.
• Prepare reports, summaries, and presentations for senior leadership and campus stakeholders.

5. Project Management and Implementation

• Lead or support implementation of approved initiatives, including timelines, coordination, and progress tracking.
• Facilitate collaboration across campus departments to ensure successful integration of new programs and partnerships.
• Monitor outcomes and effectiveness of initiatives, including enrollment, participation, and financial performance.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and long-term sustainability.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit, public sector, or related fields involving partnership development, program development, or strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional projects
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.

Preferred

• Master's degree.
• Experience in higher education administration, academic program development, or enrollment strategy.
• Experience with community engagement, workforce partnerships, or educational outreach initiatives.
• Familiarity with accreditation, academic processes, or shared governance environments.

Experience evaluating program feasibility or supporting strategic planning initiativ