Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

19-Mar-2024

University Administration

65346BR

Position Description

Who we are: 
The Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) seeks to shape the future of education by discovering new ways to build the competence, curiosity, and confidence of learners around the world. We create engaging and scalable learning experiences, cultivate inspiring ideas, and connect a global community of learners—while developing tools, technologies, platforms, and policies to reduce friction throughout the learning lifecycle.
How you’ll contribute: 
This newly created, critically important position is a key driver in our growth strategy.  You’ll increase the reach of Harvard Online certificate courses by identifying and partnering with corporations, nonprofits, governmental agencies, and educational institutions around the world.  Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Product Management and working cross functionally with a wide range of roles across VPAL, you’ll seek out prospects, build relationships, help develop solutions that meet each organization’s needs, identify opportunities for further growth and own our global partnership strategy.
At VPAL, your role will be to:   

• Own the end-to-end process for acquiring strategic partners, revising and improving our process over time
• Identify opportunities for partnerships to contribute to the growth of institutional programs
• Cultivate relationships with corporate and other partners to understand their learning and development needs
• Monitor, analyze, and anticipate market trends to identify new, emerging, and enhanced partnership opportunities with a range of organizations, including corporations, educational institutions, governmental, and other nonprofit organizations
• Develop and implement short-term and long-term strategic plans to achieve new business development goals through partnership opportunities that are consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the university
• Develop and execute sales by utilizing direct marketing strategies, salesforce building, and marketing support materials 
• Collaborate closely with marketing, product management, and creative teams, while also coordinating with program services, instructional design and multimedia teams as needed
• Create and maintain all program documentation including sales reports, relationship notes, inquiries, contracts, pricing schedules, etc.  
• Facilitate contracts and third-party agreements and coordinate the negotiation of license agreements in collaboration with VPAL administration team and Harvard’s Office of General Counsel, as needed
• Establish key metrics and performance measures to track progress against goals and in a way that enables the team to understand priorities and maximize productivity on an ongoing basis
• Provide VPAL leadership with accurate and timely information about new business development results on a continuing basis to facilitate informed decision-making
• Ensure that VPAL and Harvard Online programs and initiatives have visibility amongst industry leaders and potential collaborators  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in positions involved with business-to-business, business-to-institution, or business-to-government sales and marketing, account management, business development, and project management in an industrial or academic setting required
• Experience with Salesforce
• MBA, JD, or other relevant Master's degree 
• Proven track record of establishing and expanding business relationships 
• Experience selling digital products preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Experience interacting with senior leadership and high-level stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization 
• Comfort using data to demonstrate results and make informed decisions
• Ability to work in a matrixed organization, collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, build consensus and buy-in to advance department objectives 
• Highly skilled networker, relationship builder and negotiator combined with excellent presentation, public speaking, oral and written communication skills 

Physical Requirements

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Working Conditions

• In-person work is performed in an open office setting
• VPAL is a hybrid office, as our team places a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building.  Individual flexible work options for this role, including hybrid, will be discussed during the interview process. Specific in-office and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. 
• This position may include domestic and foreign travel.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: A cover letter is requested for this role. Your cover letter and resume should be submitted as a combined SINGLE DOCUMENT under the resume tab.  

VPAL is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
PLEASE NOTE: The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.        

Why Harvard?
We offer a wide range of exciting and challenging job opportunities that support our world-class academic environment. We invite you to explore the many reasons to work for Harvard at https://hr.harvard.edu/why-harvard . Harvard University is committed to offering competitive total compensation package including:  

• A creative, high-energy, collaborative environment  
• Generous Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Holiday pay  
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits starting on your first day  
• University-funded retirement plans  
• Tuition Assistance Program  
• Transportation benefits to help with your daily commute  
• Health and wellness discounts, memberships, and programs  

 Additional benefits can be found at

https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards   

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

About the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL)  
The Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning seeks to shape the future of education by discovering new ways to build the competence, curiosity, and confidence of learners on our campuses and around the world. We create engaging and scalable learning experiences, cultivate inspiring ideas, and connect a global community of learners—while developing tools, technologies, platforms, and policies to reduce friction throughout the learning lifecycle.  To learn more, visit http://vpal.harvard.edu .
VPAL is committed to convening and nurturing a diverse community dedicated to promoting inclusive excellence and leadership in teaching and learning. We celebrate, welcome, and honor all backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We strive to ensure that all feel included in our mission, our work, and our learning inside and outside our organization. We affirm that inclusivity and belonging are the foundations of excellence.
 

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

S0659P FSS Exec Education Prfsnal V

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Interfaculty Initiatives

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

Full time. 35 hours per week. Monday through Friday. 

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

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