About the Role

A leading higher education institution in South Florida is seeking a Director of University Partnerships and Development to drive strategic collaborations, expand institutional partnerships, and foster growth opportunities. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, and managing key relationships with universities, corporate partners, and community organizations to enhance academic programs, increase enrollment, and support the institution’s long-term vision.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic relationship-builder with extensive experience in higher education partnerships, corporate engagement, and program development. They will work closely with executive leadership, admissions, and academic departments to create initiatives that strengthen institutional collaborations and position the university as a leader in education, workforce development, and student success. The Director will serve as one of the institution’s most visible external representatives and will carry real accountability for partnership growth outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan to establish, grow, and sustain university, corporate, and community partnerships that align with institutional enrollment and academic goals.
• Identify collaborative opportunities including articulation agreements, dual enrollment programs, pathway partnerships, and workforce development initiatives that expand student access and institutional reach.
• Negotiate and formalize MOUs, articulation agreements, and joint program initiatives to broaden academic offerings and create clear student transfer and completion pathways.

Relationship Management

• Cultivate and maintain high-trust relationships with university leaders, corporate executives, government agency representatives, and community organization partners to drive enrollment growth and educational access.
• Serve as the institution’s primary point of contact for external partner organizations, ensuring responsive communication and consistent follow-through on partnership commitments.
• Monitor the health and performance of existing partnerships, identifying opportunities to deepen or expand collaborations and flagging agreements that require renewal or renegotiation.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with admissions, marketing, academic affairs, and financial aid teams to ensure partnership initiatives are well-coordinated internally and that student referral and enrollment processes run smoothly.
• Collaborate with program leadership to develop co-branded or co-delivered academic offerings that meet partner organization workforce needs and align with institutional curriculum standards.

Institutional Visibility and Thought Leadership

• Represent the institution at conferences, industry events, higher education forums, and networking functions to enhance visibility and build new relationships with prospective partners.
• Contribute to the institution’s reputation as a thought leader in education, workforce development, and regional economic impact through public engagement and professional association participation.

Market Intelligence and Strategy

• Monitor and analyze higher education market trends, competitor partnership initiatives, and emerging regional workforce needs to inform and refine partnership strategy on an ongoing basis.
• Prepare regular reports on partnership pipeline activity, enrollment impact, and strategic goal progress for senior institutional leadership.

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure all partnership agreements comply with regional accreditation standards, institutional policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work with legal counsel and compliance staff to review, execute, and maintain formal partnership documentation in an organized and auditable manner.

Education and Experience Requirements

What the Institution Offers

Why This Role Matters

University partnerships are one of the most consequential growth levers available to a higher education institution. Well-structured articulation agreements, corporate education partnerships, and dual enrollment programs directly expand the pool of students the institution can serve — and they do it in a way that aligns the university’s offerings with real labor market demand.

In South Florida, with its distinctive mix of international student populations, diverse industries, and rapidly expanding workforce development needs, the Director of University Partnerships and Development has a particularly rich environment to work in. The right person in this role will not just manage existing partnerships — they will build new ones that shape the institution’s trajectory for years.

Retained Search by Excelon Associates

Excelon Associates is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Asheville, NC, with additional offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL. Our Florida-based offices give us deep familiarity with the South Florida higher education market, employer ecosystem, and the partnership landscape that shapes enrollment strategy in the region. Since 2007 we have placed directors of partnerships and development, VP-level advancement leaders, and institutional development officers at universities and colleges across the United States.

For universities seeking to expand strategic partnerships and drive institutional growth, Excelon Associates is a trusted recruitment partner. We connect institutions with experienced leaders who build academic collaborations, corporate relationships, and enrollment initiatives that strengthen long-term university impact. Reach out today to start a confidential conversation.