Head - University Partnerships (8-15 yrs)

Head - University Partnership

About:

- Responsible for developing and managing strategic partnerships with universities and educational institutions.

- Establish collaborative relationships that enhance the company's academic offerings and contribute to its growth.

Job Description:

- Identify potential universities for partnerships, assess their suitability, and initiate outreach for collaboration opportunities

- Develop a comprehensive university partnership plan aligned with the organization's objectives and growth targets

- Aid in growth by establishing new university partnerships to enhance program portfolio

- Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in partner universities, including academic leadership, faculty and administrative teams

- Lead negotiations and close university partnership agreements, ensuring favorable terms and alignment with business goals

- Ensure that all agreements comply with legal and regulatory requirements

- Establish KPIs, monitor partnership performance, and implement improvement strategies

- Conduct market analysis to identify opportunities for new partnerships and programs

- Collaborate with content/category teams in market analysis to ensure business growth

- Manage learner escalations that arise as part of the day-to-day operations and proactively resolve those with the Universities

- Ensure all immersions go as per plan, from planning of the immersion to everything that happens in university immersions

- Assist category/marketing teams in new product positioning while interacting with Universities

- Work closely with internal teams, such as marketing, sales, and learning experience - content and delivery, to align partnership activities with broader business goals

- Brings valuable competitive insights on product offerings and features and builds a strong PMF portfolio for the business

Candidate Profile:

Educational Background:

- Bachelor's Degree in Education, Business, Marketing, or a related field.

- Advanced Degree (MBA or Master's) in a relevant area (e.g., Education, Business Administration, or Public Relations) is preferred.

Experience:

- Total Experience: 8-15 years experience

Experience in Higher Education:

- Prior experience working within universities, higher education institutions, or the education sector. This could include roles in admissions, program development, or administration.

- Experience in consulting within the education domain would be preferable.

- Partnerships and Relationship Management: Proven track record of establishing and managing strategic partnerships with universities or large organizations.

Experience in EdTech or Technology or Education business / consulting:

- Familiarity with educational technology platforms, tools, or solutions, and how they can integrate with university programs.

- Sales and Business Development: Experience in account management, particularly in a B2B context, focusing on large institutions.

- Team Leadership: Experience managing a team and working cross-functionally with other departments like marketing, product, and sales.

Key Skills:

- Strategic Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain long-term partnerships.

- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with university administrators, academic leaders, and internal teams.

- Understanding of Higher Education Systems: In-depth knowledge of the structure and operations of universities and educational institutions, including accreditation, curriculum development, and student needs.

- Sales and Negotiation: The ability to pitch EdTech solutions to universities, negotiate contracts, and manage complex discussions around partnership terms.

- Project Management: Ability to oversee multiple partnerships, ensuring alignment with company goals, timelines, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

- Market and Industry Awareness: Staying informed about trends in higher education, EdTech, and learning technologies to propose relevant solutions.

- Analytical and Data-Driven: Ability to track, measure, and report on partnership performance and use data to optimize engagement and outcomes.

- Problem-Solving: Creative thinking to develop solutions that meet the needs of universities while aligning with the EdTech company's goals.

Soft Skills:

- Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment and the ability to adjust strategies to meet changing market needs.

- Leadership: Ability to inspire and guide both internal teams and external partners toward common goals.

- Networking: Strong networking capabilities to build relationships with university leaders and influencers in the education space.