PAY GRADE: 30E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Assistant Director, Corporate Partnerships is a key member of the Customized Learning team within the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS), a core component of the new Center for Innovative Lifelong Learning and Teaching (CILLT). As a financially self-supporting unit, UD PCS delivers noncredit professional development, customized corporate education, and lifelong learning opportunities to adult learners and organizations across the region.

In this consultative business development role, the Assistant Director serves as the primary connector between UD’s academic expertise and the workforce development needs of employers. The Assistant Director drives revenue growth through new business acquisition, expansion of existing accounts, and stewardship of strategic partnerships—most notably the multi-year collaboration between UD PCS and the Lerner College of Business and Economics to scale Lerner Executive Education (LEE).

This position functions as a trusted advisor to corporate, government, and nonprofit partners, diagnosing workforce capability gaps and architecting customized noncredit and executive education solutions that enhance organizational performance.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Identify, cultivate, and secure new B2B partnerships across high-growth sectors (e.g., healthcare, biopharma, manufacturing, fintech).
• Co-lead growth of the PCS–Lerner Executive Education portfolio alongside Lerner’s Director of Executive Education, driving sales strategies to meet revenue targets.
• Expand the UD Education Alliance Network by recruiting new organizations and converting relationships into broader customized learning engagements.
• Conduct consultative discovery with C-suite leaders and L&D executives to understand strategic challenges and translate them into tailored training solutions.
• Collaborate with UD faculty and subject matter experts to design customized programs, including executive development, leadership training, and technical skill-building.
• Manage the full proposal lifecycle—scoping, pricing, contracting, and negotiation—to secure mutually beneficial agreements.

Partnership, Advisory Committee, & Industry Engagement

• Lead recruitment, engagement, and optimization of the Employee Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), ensuring diverse representation of regional learning and development leaders.
• Plan and facilitate biannual EDAC meetings that generate actionable market insights and inform program development.
• Maintain an active presence in the regional business community to cultivate relationships, gather intelligence, and identify potential EDAC and Alliance partners.

Account Management & Client Expansion

• Serve as primary relationship manager for a portfolio of corporate partners, ensuring program satisfaction and uncovering emerging workforce needs.
• Grow existing accounts through a “land and expand” strategy, introducing additional training modalities and disciplines aligned with client goals.
• Measure and communicate training impact and ROI to reinforce value, support renewals, and expand engagements.

Market Intelligence & Internal Collaboration

• Monitor workforce trends, skill demands, and corporate training investments to inform PCS strategy and new program development.
• Act as the “voice of the customer” within PCS and across the University, advocating for responsive, relevant, and market-aligned noncredit offerings.
• Partner closely with the PCS marketing team on strategies and collateral to effectively promote customized learning programs.
• Contribute to division-wide committees, team initiatives, and professional development activities.

General

• Comply with all University of Delaware policies and procedures.
• Support PCS programs and pre-college activities as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Provide backup support to colleagues across PCS.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field and four years of experience in B2B business development, corporate training sales, or organizational development consulting, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing high-value contracts and generating new revenue.
• Experience facilitating committees, advisory groups, or executive sessions.
• Strong consultative selling skills, with the ability to translate organizational challenges into training solutions.
• Ability to communicate academic concepts effectively to corporate audiences.
• Experience coordinating professional events or advisory meetings preferred.
• Familiarity with CRM systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Comfortable working in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated cultural competence with diverse stakeholders.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Flexible schedule with availability for early mornings, evenings, and periodic weekends.
• Frequent regional travel required; occasional national/international travel possible.
• Reliable transportation for off-site meetings and events.