Director Business Development & Strategy

Position Summary The Director ofBusiness Development and Strategy supports institutional growth by identifying, evaluating, and advancing new revenue‑generating initiativesand strategic, mutually-beneficial partnerships aligned with Wilmington College's mission. This role conducts market research, due diligencereviews and financial analyses; leads cross‑functional feasibility studies; and manages external partner engagement from initial explorationthrough contract negotiation and launch planning. The Director works closely with Academic Affairs, Enrollment, Finance, Advancement, andexternal organizations to diversify revenue, expand enrollment opportunities, and strengthen the institution's long‑term financialsustainability. Essential Duties & Responsibilities 1. Strategic Partnerships & ExternalEngagement Seek, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, school districts, communityorganizations, and higher education institutions. Assess partnership opportunities for mission alignment, strategic value,operational feasibility, and financial impact. Coordinate due diligence, risk assessment, and internal stakeholder vetting. Support contract development in collaboration with the CFO. 2. New Initiatives Development Identify and evaluate new revenue opportunities including academic programs,non‑credit offerings, certificates, workforce development programs, and auxiliary enterprises. Conduct market research, competitorbenchmarking, enrollment demand analyses, and cost/benefit modeling. Prepare business cases, financial pro formas (incollaboration with the Office of Finance), and recommendations for executive consideration. Lead feasibility studies incollaboration with Academic Affairs, Enrollment, Finance, and external stakeholders. 3. Responding to External Partnership Requests Serve as the primary institutional contactfor outside organizations seeking to explore partnership opportunities. Receive, prioritize, and respond to inquiries frombusinesses, nonprofits, school districts, government agencies, and community groups. Conduct initial assessments of alignment withinstitutional mission, academic capacity, workforce relevance, and strategic priorities. Facilitate introductory conversations toclarify partnership goals, expectations, timelines, and resource needs. Coordinate internally with the Provost, Finance, AcademicAffairs, Enrollment, and other units to evaluate feasibility and interest. Provide timely and professional follow‑up to externalentities regarding progress, outcomes, and next steps. Maintain a centralized log of all external requests, including status,communications, and decision history. 4. Market & FinancialAnalysis Work with the Office of Finance to prepare financial models for proposed initiatives, including projectedrevenue, expenses, net contribution, capital needs, and return-on-investment. Monitor external market trends and emergingopportunities in higher education, workforce development, online learning, and alternative credentials. Provide ongoing analysesto support institutional financial planning and strategic decision‑making. Present proposals and updates to campus leadership andcommittees. 5. Project Management ℑplementation Manage implementation of approved initiatives, including timeline development, milestones, riskmitigation, and cross‑department coordination. Ensure initiatives integrate with campus departments (e.g., Finance, Enrollment,Academic Affairs, IT, Advancement, and Marketing). Track project performance, outcomes, and financial results; provide regularprogress reports to senior leadership and other constituents. 6. Communication & Reporting Produce executive summaries, presentations, and briefing materials for seniorleadership and other audiences. Maintain and track a pipeline of prospective opportunities, including status, benefits, risks, andprojected impact. Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure transparency and shared understandingof goals and expectations. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree. Minimum 5-7 years of experience in business development, program development, market analysis, orstrategic partnerships. Demonstrated success in conducting market research, evaluating financial feasibility, and leadingcross‑functional initiatives. Excellent analytical, communication, and relationship‑building skills. Strong projectmanagement ability. Preferred Master'sdegree. Experience developing academic or workforce programs. Familiarity with enrollment management, financeoperations, and accreditation considerations. Experience negotiating contracts or partnership agreements. Key Competencies Strategic and analytical thinking. Financial modeling and business‑case development. Relationship management and communication. Cross‑functionalcollaboration. Project management and execution. Entrepreneurial mindset with mission alignment. Ability tosynthesize complex information into actionable recommendations. Please include a cover letter with your resume to be considered. Full benefit package including holidays and timeoff