Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Innovation

University of New Haven; West Haven (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Welfare

Wellness Center

Tuition Assistance

Employee Discounts

Paid Time Off

Job summary

University of New Haven in West Haven, CT seeks an Executive Director to lead the Better Than Ready and Strategic Partnerships programs, transforming corporate relationships into student and institutional outcomes. This role reports to the Vice President for Corporate Partnerships and Innovation and oversees strategy and implementation across multiple campus units.

As a senior leader, you will drive employer engagement, workforce strategy and innovation adoption, delivering measurable results

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; preferred fields include Higher Education Administration, Business Admin, Organizational Leadership, Workforce Development or Public Administration.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Experience in workforce development and talent strategy.
• Experience building and managing corporate partnerships.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives.
• Experience managing budgets, programs, and staff.
• Higher education leadership experience preferred.
• Experience working with employers, workforce boards or industry associations.
• Experience developing workforce or experiential learning programs.
• Experience leading innovation or digital transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Better Than Ready Center.
• Develop and activate corporate partnerships for internships, pipelines, projects and engagement.
• Lead implementation of workforce development strategies by analyzing labor market trends and needs.
• Support innovation and digital transformation efforts, including AI initiatives and platforms.
• Oversee execution of programs, partnerships and community engagement within The Elevation Center.
• Collaborate across units to drive institutional change and student success.
• Establish KPIs and ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.
• Cultivate relationships with employers, industry leaders, and university stakeholders.
• Serve as a senior leader and strategic advisor on workforce development and change leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Partnerships

Stakeholder Engagement

Change Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration

Job description

University of New Haven in West Haven, CT seeks an Executive Director to lead the Better Than Ready and Strategic Partnerships programs, transforming corporate relationships into student and institutional outcomes. This role reports to the Vice President for Corporate Partnerships and Innovation and oversees strategy and implementation across multiple campus units.

As a senior leader, you will drive employer engagement, workforce strategy and innovation adoption, delivering measurable results