Partnership Development Strategist

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB PURPOSE:

The Partnership Development Strategist supports the development and advancement of strategic partnerships that align with Howard University’s institutional priorities in academics, research, innovation, financial sustainability, business optimization, and workforce development. This position plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, and coordinating relationships with corporate and community partners that advance the university’s mission and expand opportunities for students, faculty, and institutional initiatives. The role translates institutional priorities into partnership opportunities, connects internal stakeholders with external organizations, and supports the development of collaborative initiatives that drive long-term engagement and impact. Working at the intersection of higher education, industry, corporate and community engagement, the Partnership Development Strategist helps external partners navigate the university environment while supporting internal units in developing partnership-ready initiatives that may include workforce development programs, research collaborations, sponsorship opportunities, and philanthropic investment.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility but may be asked to provide direct supervision to oversee the work of assigned staff, interns, or project teams supporting partnership initiatives.

 The role may also be responsible for coordinating cross-functional project teams and collaborate with stakeholders across academic and administrative units.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts include leadership and staff across academic schools and colleges, Centers of Excellence, Institutional Research, Center for Career and Professional Success, Development and Alumni Relations, and other administrative and programmatic units across the university. External contacts include corporate partners, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, industry leaders, foundations, and other external stakeholders engaged in partnership initiatives with Howard University. The position requires strong collaboration skills and the ability to navigate a complex university environment while supporting the development and coordination of strategic partnership initiatives.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Partnership Strategy & Development

• Support the development and implementation of corporate and community partnership strategies aligned with university priorities.
• Research, identify, and qualify prospective partners across key sectors.
• Develop tailored engagement strategies and partnership concepts aligned with institutional strengths and partner priorities.
• Contribute to partnership growth pathways that support long-term engagement and institutional impact.

Team Coordination & Supervision

·        Provide guidance to partnership staff supporting corporate and community engagement initiatives.

·        Support the coordination of partnership-related projects and activities across the Office of Corporate Relations.

·        Assist in monitoring progress on partnership initiatives and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

Internal Alignment & Opportunity Mapping

• Collaborate with academic units, research centers, and administrative offices to identify partnership-ready opportunities.
• Translate university strengths, initiatives, and programmatic needs into external-facing partnership opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of existing engagements to ensure coordination and avoid duplication across the institution.

Academic & Program Partnership Development

• Partner with academic leadership, deans, and faculty to identify opportunities to co-develop initiatives with corporate partners aligned with institutional academic strengths.
• Support alignment between corporate workforce needs and university academic programs including certificates, executive education, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Assist in developing industry-connected academic experiences such as corporate-sponsored courses, capstone projects, research collaborations, internships, apprenticeships, and residency programs.
• Facilitate collaboration between corporate partners and academic units to design talent pipeline and student engagement initiatives.

Relationship Cultivation & Management

• Support cultivation and stewardship of corporate and community relationships.
• Prepare briefing materials, partnership proposals, and background documentation for leadership engagement.
• Track partnership activities, milestones, and outcomes to support relationship management and coordination.

Corporate Pipeline Development

• Build and maintain a strategic pipeline of prospective corporate partners aligned with institutional priorities and emerging sectors.
• Conduct industry research and market analysis to identify partnership opportunities.
• Support the development of engagement pathways that transition prospective partners into sustained institutional partnerships.

Innovation & Global Engagement

• Identify opportunities to connect corporate partners with university innovation assets including research centers, entrepreneurship programs, and technology commercialization initiatives.
• Support engagement opportunities such as innovation challenges, industry collaborations, and research partnerships.
• Assist in identifying partnership opportunities with multinational corporations aligned with the university’s academic and research strengths.
• Collaborate with relevant university offices to align partnership opportunities with broader institutional initiatives.

Data, Reporting & Strategic Insights

• Maintain accurate records of partnership activity in CRM or partnership tracking systems.
• Support reporting on partnership engagement, metrics, and strategic progress.
• Identify trends and opportunities for expanded collaboration or deeper partner engagement.

CORE COMPETENCIES:   

• Strategic thinking and demonstrated ability to translate institutional priorities into partnership opportunities
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to navigate complex organizations and coordinate across multiple internal stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to operate effectively in collaborative and cross-functional environments
• Professional judgment and political awareness in managing internal and external relationships

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 5-7 years of relevant professional experience in corporate partnerships, university advancement, business development, university relations, or a related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience preparing proposals, managing complex projects, briefing materials, reports, or strategy documents
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders and coordinate cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience in corporate or corporate-facing environments.

Preferred qualifications include experience in higher education partnership development, creation or supervision of workforce development initiatives, innovation ecosystems, or public-private partnerships, as well as familiarity with CRM or partnership tracking platforms such as Salesforce or similar systems. Experience working with corporate philanthropy, sponsorships, or institutional advancement teams to support philanthropic engagement is also desirable.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000