Director, Strategic Partnerships

📋 Description

• • Spearhead the development and execution of Sophia's strategic partnership initiatives within the higher education sector, driving student success and institutional advancement.
• • Cultivate and manage high-level relationships with university leadership, including Presidents and Provosts, to identify mutual opportunities and foster long-term collaborations.
• • Drive revenue growth by developing and implementing a comprehensive partnership development strategy, identifying new business opportunities, and managing a robust pipeline from initial contact through contract finalization.
• • Achieve and exceed agreed-upon sales targets and key performance indicators, demonstrating a consistent ability to deliver measurable results.
• • Conduct in-depth research into emerging trends within higher education and technology, translating these insights into innovative product use cases and strategic recommendations for partners.
• • Act as a thought leader by providing discipline-specific market insights that enhance partner conversations and position Sophia as a valuable resource.
• • Represent Sophia at industry-related convenings and events, effectively showcasing the value proposition of our products and tools to the higher education landscape.
• • Collaborate closely with internal cross-functional teams, including Legal, Marketing, Public Relations, IT, and Product Development, to design compelling collateral, negotiate legal agreements, and establish seamless onboarding and success processes for new partners.
• • Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal communication skills to effectively manage and align multiple internal stakeholders, including senior leadership, product teams, functional leads, and direct reports, ensuring cohesive strategy execution.
• • Develop and present regular weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales and partner performance reports to senior team leadership, providing clear insights and actionable recommendations.
• • Proactively identify and analyze market needs and institutional challenges, aligning Sophia's offerings to provide impactful solutions that enhance student engagement, retention, and overall educational outcomes.
• • Contribute to the continuous improvement of partnership strategies and operational processes, leveraging data and feedback to optimize performance and expand Sophia's reach.
• • Maintain a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and evolving educational technology trends to ensure Sophia remains at the forefront of innovation.
• • Serve as a key point of contact for strategic partners, ensuring their ongoing satisfaction and identifying opportunities for deeper engagement and expanded collaboration.
• • Champion Sophia's mission and values, embodying a commitment to educational innovation and student success in all interactions.
• • Develop and nurture a pipeline of prospective partners through targeted outreach, networking, and participation in industry events.
• • Negotiate complex agreements, ensuring alignment with Sophia's strategic objectives and financial goals.
• • Provide ongoing support and strategic guidance to partners post-onboarding to ensure maximum value realization and long-term success.
• • Stay abreast of regulatory changes and compliance requirements within the higher education sector that may impact partnership agreements.
• • Contribute to the development of sales enablement materials and training programs for the partnership team.
• • Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the partnership team and across the organization.
• • Analyze the effectiveness of different partnership models and iterate on strategies to maximize impact and ROI.
• • Build strong internal relationships to facilitate smooth execution of partnership initiatives and resolve any potential roadblocks.
• • Prepare and deliver compelling presentations to university stakeholders, articulating Sophia's vision and the tangible benefits of partnership.
• • Manage the entire partnership lifecycle, from initial prospecting and qualification to contract negotiation, onboarding, and ongoing relationship management.
• • Drive innovation by identifying opportunities to leverage Sophia's technology and expertise to address critical challenges faced by higher education institutions.
• • Ensure all partnership activities are conducted with the highest ethical standards and in compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
• • Contribute to the overall growth and strategic direction of Sophia by identifying and pursuing high-impact partnership opportunities.
• • Develop and maintain a deep understanding of Sophia's product suite and its application in diverse higher education settings.
• • Act as an ambassador for Sophia, building brand awareness and credibility within the higher education community.
• • Proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with strategic partnerships.
• • Measure and report on the success of strategic partnerships against defined objectives and KPIs.
• • Continuously seek opportunities to enhance the value proposition offered to strategic partners.
• • Drive a data-informed approach to partnership development and management, utilizing analytics to guide decision-making.
• • Build and maintain strong relationships with key influencers and decision-makers within target institutions.
• • Develop and execute strategies to expand existing partnerships into new areas or with additional departments.
• • Ensure a seamless and positive experience for all partners throughout their engagement with Sophia.