Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships

UMA is a nonprofit healthcare educational institution with a national presence. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida and founded in 1994, UMA offers content-rich, interactive online programs as well as hands-on training at our Clearwater, Florida campus. 

• Medical (including prescription), Dental, Vision (UMA subsidized)
• FSA/HSA (Depending on Medical Plan chosen)
• Basic Life Insurance (UMA paid) minimum $50,000 - maximum $250,000 (1x annual salary)
• Additional Voluntary Life Insurance (Team Member paid)
• Employee Assistance Program – EAP (UMA paid)
• Long Term Disability (UMA paid)
• Short Term Disability (Team Member paid)
• Supplemental Insurance such as Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital (Team Member Paid)
• Paid Time Off – 15 days accrued in year 1, 9 holidays, and 1 day of Volunteering Time Off
• 401k (eligible upon completion of 90 days of employment and must be at least 21 years of age)
• Pet Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection

Purpose of the Position:

The Sr. Director, Strategic Partnerships will identify, cultivate, and manage high-impact partnerships that advance the mission of the institution to expand access to quality, affordable, and flexible higher education. This role will shape and execute the institution’s external engagement strategy, fostering collaborations with corporations, non-profits, government agencies, and educational organizations to drive enrollment growth, enhance student success, and support workforce development initiatives. This position will work cross-functionally with academic leadership, marketing, research and development, grants, and student services to ensure partnerships are aligned with institutional priorities and deliver measurable value to both students and partners.

What you’ll do:  

1. Lead Strategic Partnership Operations: Manage the strategic direction, operations, and performance of the Strategic Partnerships department, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and mission.
2. Develop and Secure B2B Agreements: Identify, negotiate, and manage employer partnerships including tuition benefit programs, clinical training pipelines, direct-to-employer pathways, and upskilling/reskilling initiatives.
3. Drive Long-Term Strategic Planning: Analyze labor market trends and industry needs to inform partnership strategies, advise executive leadership, and support program development and institutional growth.
4. Manage Budgets and Performance Metrics: Oversee departmental budgets, forecasts, and KPIs related to partnership initiatives; ensure efficient allocation of resources to maximize impact.
5. Cultivate and Expand Employer Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, healthcare organizations, and community partners to promote institutional offerings and enhance student placement opportunities.
6. Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal departments—including Marketing, Academic Affairs, Admissions, and Career Services—to ensure seamless execution and alignment of partnership initiatives. Lead and coach a team of partnership development managers or campus liaisons, where applicable.
7. Evaluate Program Effectiveness: Track and report on key success indicators such as partnership growth, enrollment conversions, and employer satisfaction; use data to refine strategies and improve outcomes.
8. Design Customized Workforce Training: Collaborate with employers to co-create tailored training programs that address specific workforce development needs and support career advancement for learners.
9. Engage in Community and Policy Advocacy: Represent the institution in community workforce initiatives and advocate for policies and funding that support equitable access to education and training.
10. Lead with Care: Lead, coach, and develop team members, fostering a culture of wellness, recognition, and engagement. Meet regularly with direct reports in one-on-one and group settings to provide feedback and cultivate/maintain a positive work culture. 
11. Perform other duties as assigned. 

Career Level Expectations:

• Recognized master in designated professional discipline (typically obtained through post-secondary education and work experience) and is recognized as a master within and outside of the organization.
• Establishes operational plans for job area.
• Develops and implements new products, processes, standards, or operational plans that will have impact on the achievement of functional results.
• Requires communication with leadership.
• Desire for growth and professional development.

Required Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7 years of experience employer engagement, business development, strategic partnerships, or workforce development, preferably in the healthcare or education sectors.
• Experience cultivating high-value partnerships and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Experience leading and influencing cross-functionally to drive change in complex environments.
• Skills - executive presence, strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, data-driven planning and execution mindset, interpersonal skill, relationship building, and a deep understanding of labor market trends and workforce development challenges.
• Ability to professionally communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
• Ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Computer literacy/basic computer skills to effectively navigate and utilize the technology required for the role.

Preferred Requirements:

• Any advanced degree, especially in business development, strategic partnerships, workforce development or related.
• Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP), Advanced Certificate in Workforce Development, or related certifications.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other business tools such as Microsoft Teams.
• Other skills – stakeholder management, data analysis, change management, training program development, and/or sales.

Compliance: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of and carefully follows all applicable state laws and rules, federal and state compliance requirements and regulations including those prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education, accrediting agencies, state regulations and internal policies and procedures.   
• Effectively communicate compliance requirements to other staff as appropriate and quickly escalate any compliance concerns to the Compliance department.

Work Environment/Physical Demands: 

• This position is an onsite position at UMA’s ground campus in Clearwater & Tampa, Florida.   
• May include a flexible remote schedule for online/virtual instructional opportunity. 
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

OUR VALUES

Our institutional values are shaped and validated by our team members. They describe how we strive to operate and are the standards of behavior we look to embody. 

ACT WITH INTEGRITY

We operate honestly and ethically in an industry-compliant fashion. We are fair and trustworthy in our interactions with all we serve. Our team members, at all levels, lead by example and strive to do the right thing for our students and for each other. We are disciplined professionals who strive to be straightforward and dependable.

CHAMPION STUDENT OUTCOMES

We live by a strong commitment to our students and are passionate about preparing them for meaningful careers. We are deeply dedicated to ensuring students’ educational and career success. We excel at building our students’ confidence and empowering them to reach their full potential.

COMMIT TO TEAM MEMBER SUCCESS

We are committed to our team members’ success and to each other’s success. We strive to create an environment that attracts and retains the best talent while offering continuous learning, professional development and career growth opportunities. We recognize and reward our team members for their contributions to the organization and to our students.

PURSUE RESULTS WITH PURPOSE

We pursue results with a sense of urgency and purpose. We take responsibility for achieving ambitious, measurable results and hold each other accountable. We think strategically and critically, greet new ideas and challenges openly, and look for innovative solutions to challenges.

HAVE FUN. BUILD ENERGY

Enjoying what we do is central to achieving our goals. Building energy, having fun, being optimistic and creating a positive working environment are all critical to our success and that of our students. We strive to be inspired and to inspire others. We consistently show appreciation and celebrate our successes, both large and small.

WORK AS ONE

We believe that diverse, inclusive teams produce breakthrough results. We strive to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues from all types of backgrounds by showing respect and humility when interacting with each other and resolving conflicts in a constructive manner. By working together, we win together - as one - ensuring that the goals of the company are the focal point of our efforts.

UMA will NEVER ask you to send money or ask you to provide bank account information in order for you to get reimbursed for tools to work. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from UMA about a job posting, you can always verify the position at https://workatuma.com/