Director of Partnerships and Speaking from Experience

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Partnerships & Speaking From Experience (SFE) reports directly to the Vice President of Partnerships & Employer Engagement and works in close partnership with the Executive Director for Buffalo to build and grow a strong, engaged network across the Western New York business community. This role is responsible for cultivating strategic relationships with employers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who are committed to skills-first hiring and entrepreneurial thinking, ensuring alignment with the Institute’s mission and workforce needs.

The Director leads the strategy, coordination, and execution of the Institute’s Speaking From Experience (SFE) program, connecting students with real-world business perspectives through meaningful engagement with industry professionals. This includes identifying and onboarding speakers, aligning their expertise with academic priorities, and delivering a seamless, high-quality experience for both students and partners. Through intentional relationship management, the Director establishes and maintains a consistent pipeline of industry voices that enhance learning and reflect current business practices.

Serving as a key connector between the Institute and the business community, the Director ensures partnerships are impactful, mutually beneficial, and sustained over time. In close collaboration with faculty and academic leadership, this role integrates SFE into the broader student experience and continuously refines programming based on feedback, outcomes, and evolving workforce trends. This position plays a critical role in advancing a hands-on, experiential learning model that prepares students to succeed in today’s dynamic business environment.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES - (ESTIMATED% OF TIME)

Partnership Development & Relationship Management – 45%

Build, cultivate, and sustain strategic relationships with employers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders across Western New York. Develop a strong pipeline of engaged partners who are committed to experiential learning, skills-first hiring, and ongoing collaboration with the Institute. Serve as the primary point of contact to ensure partnerships are meaningful, valuable, and aligned with business needs.

Speaking From Experience (SFE) Program Leadership – 30%

Lead the strategy, coordination, and execution of the SFE program by identifying, onboarding, and engaging industry professionals to bring real-world insights into the classroom. Ensure alignment between speaker expertise and academic priorities while delivering a seamless, high-quality experience for both students and partners.

Academic Integration & Collaboration – 10%

Work closely with faculty and academic leadership to integrate SFE into the broader student experience. Align partnerships and speaker engagements with curriculum needs and learning outcomes to ensure relevance, practical application, and consistency across programs.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement – 10%

Track engagement, gather feedback from students, faculty, and partners, and assess the effectiveness of partnerships and SFE programming. Use data and insights to refine the model, strengthen impact, and ensure alignment with evolving workforce trends.

Strategic Growth & Community Engagement – 5%

Support the continued growth of the Buffalo campus by expanding the Institute’s presence within the business community. Identify new partnership opportunities, represent the Institute at events, and contribute to the development of a scalable, high-impact experiential learning model.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

___ No formal education requirements

___ High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED)

___ Associate’s degree (indicate specific field, if required):

___ Associate’s degree or equivalent experience (indicate specific field, if required):

___ Bachelor’s degree (indicate specific field, if required):

_X_ Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience: Master’s degree preferred in education, higher education, business, human resources, talent development or a related field

___ Advanced degree (indicate specific field, if required):

___ Certification, professional license, or credential:

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in employer partnerships, business development, corporate engagement, and/or experiential learning, with a strong focus on building industry relationships and integrating real-world experiences into educational environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and sustain strategic partnerships with employers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, while designing and delivering impactful programs such as Speaking From Experience (SFE) and other industry-engaged learning opportunities.
• Strong understanding of workforce trends and business needs, with the ability to align industry engagement with academic priorities and create meaningful, skills-based learning experiences that reflect real-world practices.
• Experience in program evaluation and data-informed decision-making, including tracking engagement, assessing outcomes, and continuously refining partnership and SFE programming to ensure relevance and impact.

EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS

• Strategic Relationship Building – Ability to develop and sustain strong employer and industry partnerships
• Executive Presence & Influence – Confidently engages and represents the Institute with external leaders
• Program Design & Execution – Effectively builds and delivers high-quality, scalable programs (e.g., SFE)
• Business Acumen – Understands workforce needs and aligns experiences to real-world expectations
• Collaboration – Works seamlessly across faculty, leadership, and internal teams
• Adaptability & Initiative – Thrives in a fast-paced, build-and-scale environment
• Student-Centered Focus – Keeps student outcomes and experience at the center of all work

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel locally/regionally for employer meetings and events.
• Move between campus and external locations and remain active during events.
• Communicate effectively in person and virtually, including presenting to groups.
• Use standard office technology for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift up to 20 lbs (event or presentation materials).