Now Hiring - Rochester Institute of Technology - Director for Growth and Strategic Engagement in Rochester, NY

Full description of the position

Director for Growth and Strategic Engagement 9933BR Provost RIT Certified Job Summary RIT Certified is a forward-thinking educational initiative powered by Rochester Institute of Technology, designed to meet the evolving needs of today's learners, employers, and industries. We specialize in delivering flexible, skills-based education that is directly aligned with workforce demands, empowering individuals to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. By offering innovative, industry-informed programs, RIT Certified bridges the gap between traditional education and modern professional needs, preparing learners for the future of work. Joining our team means being part of an organization that is committed to challenging the status quo, fostering creativity, and driving meaningful impact for both individuals and businesses. The Director for Growth and Strategic Engagement reports to the Executive Director of RIT Certified and is responsible for leading the unit's external engagement strategy with a clear mandate: generate revenue through strategic relationship development, market expansion, and partnership cultivation. This role serves as the primary driver of business development for RIT Certified, with accountability for building and managing a high-impact pipeline of employer, government, and community relationships that result in enrollment growth, paid contracts, and sustainable financial performance. To fulfill this mission, the Director develops and implements intentional outreach strategies that identify target markets, establish credibility in key industries, and convert employer and community needs into mutually beneficial business opportunities. This includes identifying high-potential sectors, mapping engagement and sales paths, proposing tailored partnership models, and closing agreements that contribute directly to RIT Certified's bottom line. The Director provides direct supervision to assigned staff and student employees in the functional areas of career services and registration & billing, aligning team resources with strategic goals. This includes overseeing work plans, managing performance, and ensuring cross-functional coordination with marketing, outreach, and recruitment functions to drive operational efficiency and accountability. The Director works in close collaboration with internal teams to ensure that outreach efforts are aligned with available offerings, audience needs, and operational readiness. The Director also plays a critical role in translating employer input into strategic insights that inform new offerings, pricing strategies, and delivery models. In addition to employer-focused responsibilities, the Director provides leadership for broader community engagement efforts that expand visibility, increase learner interest, and support inclusive access to RIT Certified's programs and courses. This includes representing the unit at events, building partnerships with workforce-serving organizations, and collaborating with colleagues on recruitment strategies. The Director also maintains a dotted- line relationship with the Associate Director for Community Support and Online Experiences to ensure coordinated execution of community-facing strategies and shared recruitment goals. This is a high-accountability role that requires a combination of strategic thinking, relationship-building, team leadership, and executional follow- through. The Director is expected to meet defined revenue targets, track performance, and continuously refine business development tactics based on outcomes and opportunities. 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5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;} Business Development and Revenue Generation Lead the design and execution of a strategic business development plan that drives revenue growth. Identify and prioritize target sectors, build a qualified pipeline of employer, government, and community partners, and convert relationships into paid contracts, enrollments, and recurring revenue. Track performance against defined sales targets and continuously refine outreach tactics to increase yield. Team Leadership and Staff Supervision Ensure execution of MOUs/ contracts and outward facing operations that impact relationships. Directly supervise and develop functional areas of career services and registration & billing and full-time staff and student employees supporting growth and engagement efforts. Assign goals, oversee project execution, manage performance, and support professional development. Align team activities with strategic objectives and foster a collaborative culture focused on innovation, accountability, and results. Market Intelligence and Program Alignment Gather insights from employer and community interactions to inform new program opportunities, pricing strategy, and delivery models. Provide input into internal planning discussions to ensure that offerings and services reflect market demand, employer needs, and partner expectations. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Recruitment Support Collaborate with internal teams to align outreach efforts with program delivery, learner success, and marketing activities. Support recruitment strategies by coordinating outreach efforts with the Associate Director of Education Access and Outreach and other team members. Ensure community engagement efforts are integrated and mission-aligned. Reporting and Continuous Improvement Track business development activities and revenue performance. Report regularly on outreach progress, pipeline health, and opportunity conversion. Analyze trends to improve strategic execution and increase long-term financial sustainability. Required Qualifications: * Minimum of 7-10 years in business development, external relations, partnership cultivation, or a related field within higher education, workforce development, or corporate training * Proven success in revenue-generating roles, including managing pipelines, closing contracts, and achieving financial goals * Minimum 3 years of leadership experience, particularly in high-touch professional or community organizations. * Experience leading cross-functional initiatives that engage employers, students, and community stakeholders * Demonstrated ability to manage external partnerships and maintain long-term client relationships * Familiarity with CRM systems and data-driven approaches to outreach, engagement, and decision-making * Experience overseeing third-party contractors and coordinating external-facing activities across departments * Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. Preferred Qualifications: * Strategic thinker with a strong business mindset and ability to drive growth * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for building rapport and trust across diverse stakeholders * Skilled in contract negotiation, outreach planning, and managing complex partnerships * Strong strategic and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment * Comfortable representing the organization at high-level meetings, industry events, and community engagements * Collaborative leadership style with experience working across departments to align business goals with learner and employer needs Department/College Description Minimum Qualifications * Minimum of 7-10 years in business development, external relations, partnership cultivation, or a related field within higher education, workforce development, or corporate training * Proven success in revenue-generating roles, including managing pipelines, closing contracts, and achieving financial goals * Minimum 3 years of leadership experience, particularly in high-touch professional or community organizations. * Experience leading cross-functional initiatives that engage employers, students, and community stakeholders * Demonstrated ability to manage external partnerships and maintain long-term client relationships * Familiarity with CRM systems and data-driven approaches to outreach, engagement, and decision-making * Experience overseeing third-party contractors and coordinating external-facing activities across departments * Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. Professional Area: Employment Category: Fulltime Staff Job Function: Wage Band: $68800 - $115200 Hourly/Salary Minimum: $68800 Hourly/Salary Maximum: $115200 How to Apply This position offers a competitive salary in the range of $68,800 to $115,200 (Grade 121A) with a performance-based opportunity. In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: [please apply online] Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number. The direct link to this posting can be found here: [please apply online] Additional Details Rochester Institute of Technology, the 10th largest private university in the U.S., is among the worlds leading technological universities. Its 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are enrolled in over 200 academic programs, including 7 interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs. A pioneer in experiential education, RIT was the first to offer undergraduate degree programs in biotechnology, information technology, software engineering, and microelectronic engineering. As home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the university offers unparalleled academic opportunities and services for the deaf and hard-of- hearing. Founded in 1829, RIT has 115,000 alumni throughout the United States and around the world. RIT has been named by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the "Great Colleges to Work For." RIT is a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation site, and is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples through the Upstate NY Higher Education Recruitment Consortium. For more information, visit _[please apply online] and [please apply online] . As a member of the RIT community employees receive a well-balanced benefits package that offers a variety of choices and access to additional employment advantages. These benefits, combined with an employees pay, provide a total compensation package that can be tailored to meet your needs. More on RITs Benefits, Health & Wellness program can be found at: _[please apply online] RIT does not discriminate. RIT is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity, pluralism, and inclusion. For more information or inquiries, please visit RIT/TitleIX or the U.S. Department of Education at ED.Gov Hourly/Salary Minimum: 68800 Hourly/Salary Maximum: 115200 jeid-5e2dae78ca88b444bfa9d[please apply online]b032