Director, Business Development

Job Description Summary

An exciting opportunity to develop and expand health industry partnerships at Bentley University. This position reports directly to the Vice President, Strategy and Innovation and will work closely with the Director of the expanding Health Thought Leadership Network (Health TLN). The Director of Business Development will develop and support robust external partnerships in the health industry. The position will primarily support the Health TLN, but will also develop partnerships for strategic health-related initiatives at the University and activities of academic centers, including Bentley’s User Experience Center (UXC), Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS) and The Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business (CWB).
Health initiatives at Bentley are growing due to a transformational gift and presence in the University’s recent strategic plan. We are looking for an outgoing and engaging business development professional who thrives on building new relationships. The Director of Business Development will be responsible for increasing the number, quality and impact of strategic partnerships with prospective and current health industry partners. This position will work to develop robust mutually beneficial connections and identify opportunities between Bentley health initiatives and corporations, organizations and thought leaders to advance Bentley’s position and engagement with the health sector.

Essential Duties

• Build the university’s network in the health industry through strategic outreach efforts.
• Research, identify, cultivate, solicit and steward industry partners to establish successful and mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Work with the Alumni office, Pulsifer Career Development Center and University Advancement to identify opportunities to engage alumni and existing corporate partners in campus initiatives.
• Generate awareness and demand for Bentley’s educational programs through outreach targeted at the health industry. Reach and engage new relationships that lead to new opportunities for Bentley.
• Present and promote Bentley offerings to potential partners and manage these relationships over time, with the goal of developing robust, mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Build strategic internal partnerships: to understand what Bentley’s offerings are, collaborate to present these offerings in compelling ways and suggest additional offerings based on knowledge of internal capabilities.
• Build strategic external partnerships: by representing Bentley’s broad service capabilities and wide swath of offerings from the strategic to the tactical. Also work with external partners to bring feedback to the centers/university regarding potential for additional offerings.
• Monitor and analyze health industry trends to identify opportunities and potential partners.
• Develop and articulate a deep knowledge of the culture at Bentley University; its history and mission and current strategic vision; academic, co-curricular and athletic programs; its faculty, students and administration.
• Partner with deans, centers, faculty and staff to match Health TLN and institutional opportunities with external partners.
• Meet departmental standards, policies and procedures with respect to all aspects of the position.
• 20-25% travel anticipated to build industry partnerships, attend key external events, understand health partner needs, etc.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness through actions, interactions and communications with others.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 7 years related experience.
• Experience in the health industry, higher education, academic medical centers or other large non-profits is preferred.
• Evidence of partnership building success in the health industry.
• Excellent judgment and tact in working with internal and external stakeholders including university administrators, faculty, staff, corporate and foundation officers, prospective and engaged partners.
• Excellent written communications skills, including demonstrated writing and editing skills in preparing proposals and related correspondence.
• Excellent verbal communication, public speaking and relationship building skills, including the ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization, in-person and on remote video platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously, while tracking progress and follow up through systems.
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve.
• Ability to partner with others, support team members and work in a team environment.
• Must hold and maintain a valid, unrestricted United States driver’s license, with an insurable driving history as determined by Bentley’s insurance carrier.

Work Environment

• Typical office setting with extensive sitting and computer work.
• Evening and weekend hours are occasionally required.
• Academic institution with an inviting and vibrant campus community focused on using business for good.
• Ability to travel around campus for meetings and work-related events, as well as to travel to off-campus locations for partnership-building purposes is central to the role.
• Please see the university’s Flexible Work Arrangements policy to learn more about Bentley’s workplace flexibility- https://www.bentley.edu/offices/human-resources/workplace-flexibility

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.