Associate Director Technical Partner Management

Collegis Education; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Collegis Education is seeking a strategic technology partner and relationship leader to guide technology priorities for higher education institutions. You will manage up to three partnerships, align IT strategy with institutional goals, and drive governance, delivery, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Visit-collegis focus on collaboration with CIOs and leadership to ensure successful outcomes, profitability, and growth across managed services partnerships.

Qualifications

• 3 years in a customer-facing role with executive stakeholders or leading transformation programs.
• At least 10 years IT experience with 2+ years of staff leadership.
• Strong understanding of IT operations, databases, networking, security, or service architecture.
• Proven ability to drive complex initiatives across multiple teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication for varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary technology account leader for up to three higher education institutions.
• Partner with CIOs and leaders to align technology priorities with institutional goals.
• Provide technology thought leadership and input into IT strategy.
• Facilitate IT governance and steering committee processes.
• Define project scope, budgets, staffing, and timelines.
• Oversee project portfolio, progress, and stakeholder communications.
• Build relationships to strengthen trust and collaboration across partners.
• Conduct monthly or quarterly business reviews with external stakeholders.
• Direct internal teams to align client priorities with project execution.
• Monitor service reports and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify upsell/cross-sell opportunities aligned with partner needs.
• Report on plans, performance, and profitability to management.
• Mentor less senior team members and coordinate delivery with partners.

Skills

Customer-facing leadership

Executive stakeholder engagement

IT strategy & governance

Project delivery leadership

Relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication & presentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

IT service management

Job description

In this role, you’ll serve as a strategic technology partner and relationship leader, helping higher education institutions align their technology priorities, operational needs, and digital transformation goals with scalable solutions and services.

This role exists to support Collegis Education’s managed services partners by leading technology strategy, governance, project delivery, account performance, and stakeholder relationships across assigned college and university partnerships.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as the primary technology account leader for up to three higher education institutions, ensuring successful, enduring, and productive partner relationships
• Partner with institutional leaders, CIOs, and key stakeholders to understand technology needs, strategic objectives, service expectations, and institutional priorities
• Provide technology thought leadership and input into IT strategy based on partner objectives, collaboration with CIOs, and alignment with Collegis technology functional leaders
• Facilitate IT project governance and steering committee processes to prioritize technology initiatives and align technology priorities with institutional strategic objectives
• Define project and service scope, resource plans, schedules, staffing needs, tools, budgets, and internal or external constraints
• Oversee the IT project portfolio for assigned partners, including project schedules, delivery progress, stakeholder communication, and expectation management
• Build and nurture inter-organizational and interpersonal relationships that strengthen trust, enhance collaboration, and support partner and Collegis business plans
• Conduct regular check-ins with external stakeholders, including monthly and/or quarterly business reviews
• Provide clear direction to internal technology teams on client priorities, objectives, and expectations to ensure projects are appropriately scoped and executed
• Manage ongoing communication with partner leadership, key departments, stakeholders, and internal Collegis teams
• Review monthly service level reports and provide analysis and feedback to support continuous improvement
• Develop the annual account operating budget and monitor account profit and loss financial statements to manage profitability and drive improvement initiatives
• Support account growth by identifying upsell and cross-sell opportunities aligned with partner needs
• Report to management on information technology plans, projects, account performance, and related matters
• Provide continual process and technology improvement suggestions for Partner Management
• Provide assistance and mentorship to less senior team members
• Manage assigned IT Managed Services partners simultaneously with minimal oversight
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned
• Adhere to the appropriate information security policies based on the sensitivity of company data and report any security-related issues

What You'll Bring: Experience & Skills

• 3 years of experience in a customer-facing role interfacing with executive stakeholders, driving customer technical implementation, or leading transformation programs
• At least 10 years of IT professional experience with at least 2 years of direct staff management or leadership experience
• Understanding of at least one of the following areas: IT operations, database systems, networking, IT security, application or integration development, service architecture, or hosting services
• Ability to provide effort, leadership, and creative thinking to solve complex and significant problems in a collaborative environment
• Ability to work concurrently on multiple complex and sometimes ambiguous problems
• Strong ability to communicate complex concepts, problems, and solutions clearly and effectively to all levels of an organization
• Excellent communication, presentation, problem-solving, and management skills
• Ability to adapt communication style to the listener’s experience, background, and expectations, including technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to communicate in an effective and approachable style that engages others and builds credibility
• Ability to provide rationale when delivering complex or challenging information
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to build trust, manage expectations, and drive partner satisfaction
• Financial and business acumen with the ability to manage account performance, profitability, budgets, and growth opportunities
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate service delivery across internal and external stakeholders

Requirements

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related technical field, Management, or equivalent practical experience required

Collegis employs team members in a variety of locations across the country, with many roles designed to balance flexibility and in‑person collaboration. This position follows a hybrid work model, requiring employees to work onsite 2–3 days per week. The remaining days may be worked remotely, supporting both team engagement and individual flexibility.

Collegis Education is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.