Director of Strategic Outreach and Partnerships
DESCRIPTION OF JOB:
The Director of Strategic Outreach and Partnerships provides College-level leadership for external engagement, educational partnerships, and strategic initiatives that advance the growth and impact of Edgewood University’s College of Health Sciences, particularly in nursing, radiography, and sonography.
Reporting to the Associate Dean, the Director leads the development and implementation of outreach and partnership strategies aligned with College priorities and University goals. The Director cultivates relationships with healthcare organizations, educational institutions, employers, and community partners to expand educational pathways, address regional workforce needs, and support academic program growth.
In collaboration with College leadership, faculty, program directors, Admissions, Marketing, and other university departments, the Director identifies opportunities for program development, community engagement, and enrollment growth. The Director also oversees designated outreach personnel and evaluates outcomes to strengthen the College’s visibility, accessibility, and regional impact.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Outreach and College Growth
- Lead College-level outreach strategies that advance academic priorities, program growth, and educational access.
- Collaborate with College leadership and program directors to identify opportunities for program expansion and new educational pathways.
- Supervise designated program specialists and outreach coordinators.
- Assess enrollment trends, regional demographics, student interests, and healthcare workforce needs to inform planning.
- Collaborate with Admissions, Marketing, and university partners on coordinated initiatives supporting program visibility and sustainable enrollment growth.
- Evaluate outcomes and recommend improvements aligned with College priorities.
Educational and Healthcare Partnerships
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with healthcare systems, employers, schools, colleges, universities, and community organizations.
- Establish partnerships, transfer pathways, and articulation agreements that expand educational access and support career advancement.
- Collaborate with healthcare employers to identify workforce needs and develop educational opportunities for current employees and prospective healthcare professionals.
- Represent the College in regional workforce initiatives, professional networks, and community partnerships.
- Expand outreach to rural, underserved, and other communities through targeted partnerships.
- Identify opportunities for sustained collaboration and mutually beneficial initiatives.
Community Engagement and Educational Outreach
- Lead initiatives that increase awareness of the College’s academic programs and healthcare career pathways.
- Partner with faculty and program directors to coordinate campus visits, program presentations, career exploration activities, and demonstrations of clinical, laboratory, and simulation learning.
- Build relationships with educators, employers, students, alumni, and community stakeholders to strengthen engagement with the College.
- Collaborate with university colleagues to develop outreach materials and initiatives that communicate the College’s academic strengths and community impact.
Planning, Assessment, and Collaboration
- Work with the Associate Dean and College leadership to establish strategic priorities, measurable objectives, and plans for outreach, partnerships, and program growth.
- Report on partnership development, outreach effectiveness, enrollment trends, and opportunities for growth.
- Coordinate with academic program directors regarding program capacity, clinical placement considerations, and workforce needs.
- Maintain records of outreach activities, partnerships, and outcomes using university-approved systems.
- Participate in College planning and University initiatives and perform other duties supporting the College’s mission.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Education or Work Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in higher education, healthcare administration, business, leadership, nursing, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, strategic outreach, partnership development, workforce development, or a related field preferred.
- Experience developing organizational partnerships, leading initiatives, and managing projects preferred.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in higher education, healthcare administration, business, leadership, nursing, or a related field preferred.
- Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, strategic outreach, partnership development, workforce development, or a related field preferred.
- Experience developing organizational partnerships, leading initiatives, and managing projects preferred
Specialized Technology Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience with CRM, student information, and reporting systems preferred.
- Ability to learn and use university platforms, including Slate, Jenzabar, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.
Other Requirements:
- Willingness to travel locally and regionally and attend occasional evening or weekend events.
- Professional representation of the University in educational, healthcare, and community settings.
Other Qualifications:
Edgewood University, a Catholic university sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. Candidates must demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply. The selected candidate must actively support the mission of the University by working with faculty, staff and students to share in our core values – truth, compassion, justice, partnership, and community.
Must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States without Employer Sponsorship.
How to Apply
Send one PDF document which includes cover letter, resume, and references with a subject line that includes the position code DOSO:
Edgewood University
Human Resources – DOSO
1000 Edgewood College Drive
Madison, WI 53711
E-mail: humanresources@edgewood.edu
Equal Opportunity Employer