Business Development Director, Higher Education

Kaplan; United States; Remote; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Business Development Director to foster partnerships with North Carolina companies. This role focuses on building relationships with HR executives to promote educational programs and benefits, enhancing employee development and retention. The ideal candidate will leverage their strategic sales experience to negotiate partnerships that support employees in obtaining advanced degrees. Join a forward-thinking organization that values collaboration and innovation, offering a competitive benefits package and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Benefits

Flexible work/life balance

Comprehensive Retirement Package

Tuition assistance

Competitive health benefits

Generous Paid Time Off

Volunteer day

Diversity and inclusion day

Qualifications

• 7 years of strategic sales experience, particularly in North Carolina.
• Ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships with corporations.

Responsibilities

• Develop partnerships with companies offering education benefits to employees.
• Negotiate and close partnership agreements with targeted companies.

Skills

Strategic Sales

Relationship Development

Consultative Sales

Negotiation

Education

B.A. or B.S in Business

Master’s or other graduate degree

Job description

Job Title

Business Development Director, Higher Education

Job Description

For more than 80 years, Kaplan has been a trailblazer in education and professional advancement. We are a global company at the intersection of education and technology, focused on collaboration, innovation, and creativity to deliver a best-in-class educational experience and make Kaplan a great place to work.

The future of education is here and we are eager to work alongside those who want to make a positive impact and inspire change in the world around them.

The Business Development Director role will seek to develop partnerships between North Carolina companies that offer education benefits to their employees and Wake Forest School of Professional Studies and Wake Forest Business School.

The goal of this role is to build partnerships with companies that subsidize their employees who wish to obtain Master's level degrees at these Wake Forest schools and promote the programs to their employees. As these schools are located 80 miles apart and share a common campus in Charlotte, the HE Business Development Director will develop in-person relationships with targeted companies.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Utilize pre-existing relationships and develop new relationships with companies and executives in HR, Learning & Development, and other functional areas at large and medium-sized North Carolina companies with education benefit programs for their employees.
• Be the external "face" of the business throughout the assigned territory, developing high-impact, trust-based relationships with decision makers at target companies and networking at HR industry-focused events such as regional SHRM or ATD chapter events.
• Understand and communicate the full scope of Kaplan’s portfolio of programs to potential partners.
• Engage in strategic conversations with decision-makers at target companies about investing in talent development. Highlight how Kaplan partner schools, particularly the ones located in North Carolina, can enhance employees' careers, skills, and retention—emphasizing Kaplan's unique advantages over competitors.
• Negotiate and close partnership agreements with targeted companies that encourage them to sponsor their qualified employees in Kaplan partner programs. Develop ongoing marketing plans with companies to promote programs and partnership benefits.
• Develop relationships with staff and leadership at Kaplan partner schools to better understand the offerings, to seek their support in developing and closing deals, and to propose new offerings based on client/partner discussions.
• Meet and exceed sales targets while managing, growing, and reporting on active accounts and pipeline progression.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S in Business, Marketing, or other related field
• 7 years in strategic sales; experience selling to North Carolina companies
• Ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships; consultative sales experience; experience selling to corporations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or other graduate degree
• Education or education benefits-related sales experience in selling to medium to large companies.

We offer a competitive benefits package including:
Remote work providing flexible work/life balance
Comprehensive Retirement Package automatically enrolled in The Company Contribution Plan (8-10% annual company contribution based on tenure)
Our Gift of Knowledge Program provides tuition assistance and substantial discounts for our employees and close family members
Competitive health benefits and new hire eligibility starts day-1 of employment
Generous Paid Time Off includes paid holidays, vacation, personal, sick paid time-off, plus one (1) volunteer day and one (1) diversity and inclusion day to participate and give back to our local communities
And so much more!

Location

Remote/Nationwide, USA

Employee Type

Employee

Job Functional Area

Business Development

Business Unit

00072 Kaplan Test Prep

Diversity & Inclusion Statement:

Kaplan is committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and integrates inclusivity into all aspects of our operations. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, nationality, or sex. We believe that diversity strengthens our organization, fuels innovation, and improves our ability to serve our students, customers, and communities.

Kaplan considers qualified applicants for employment even if applicants have an arrest or conviction in their background check records. Kaplan complies with related background check regulations, including but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. There are various positions where certain convictions may disqualify applicants, such as those positions requiring interaction with minors, financial records, or other sensitive and/or confidential information.

Kaplan is a drug-free workplace and complies with applicable laws.