Hybrid - Remote work must be performed while residing in California, New Mexico, Florida or Massachusetts 

CIAT Campus Locations: San Diego, CA and Albuquerque, NM

Reports to: VP of Strategy & Analytics

Status: Exempt

Employment Type: Full-time

Overview: 

The Director of Strategic Partnerships is responsible for leading CIAT’s growth across corporate, government, and workforce-aligned initiatives that expand access to career-focused education and training. This role oversees the development and execution of strategic partnerships across three core areas: corporate-funded bootcamp training programs, employer-sponsored tuition assistance pathways, and state workforce contracts aligned to employee upskilling. We are seeking a data-driven, growth-oriented leader to build and scale partnerships that drive enrollment, diversify revenue streams, and strengthen CIAT’s position within the broader workforce ecosystem. The ideal candidate brings a collaborative, solutions-focused mindset, is comfortable operating in a fast-paced and evolving environment, and can engage credibly with employers, public sector partners, and technical stakeholders across IT, cybersecurity, cloud, project management, AI and healthcare domains.

Corporate-Funded Bootcamp Expansion:

• Execute CIAT’s bootcamp expansion strategy focusing on corporate, government, and contractor enrollment channels
• Drive revenue growth through corporate-funded bootcamp partnerships in IT, cybersecurity, cloud, project management, AI, and healthcare training programs
• Lead targeted outreach efforts to corporate L&D, HR, and IT leaders to drive awareness, relationship development, and training solution adoption
• Establish CIAT as a preferred training provider across defense contractor ecosystems by aligning bootcamp offerings with compliance frameworks (DoD 8140/8570, cyber readiness, cloud modernization initiatives, and more)

Employer-Sponsored Tuition Assistance Pathways:

• Identify, establish and maintain corporate tuition assistance partnerships that create scalable academic pathways and recurring enrollment pipelines
• Identify and engage key decision-makers, including C-suite executives and senior HR/L&D leaders, to establish and expand employer-sponsored tuition assistance partnerships
• Deliver engaging presentations that align employer talent needs with CIAT program offerings that support positive student outcomes and job placement alignment
• Negotiate contracts and partnership agreements, ensuring compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and funding requirements

Workforce Development Execution: 

• Build and maintain a pipeline of state grant eligible employer partners, supporting application development, documentation, and ongoing compliance to maximize contract utilization
• Collaborate with employer partners to identify workforce upskilling needs and drive employee participation

Leadership & Compliance:

• Analyze partnership performance using data and KPIs to optimize revenue, enrollment conversion, and long-term partner value
• Identify and represent CIAT at conferences and events to build brand visibility and cultivate training solution opportunities
• Collaborate closely with CIAT internal departments including Admissions, Marketing, Student Services, Career Services, Education, and IT to optimize enrollment performance, streamline trainee onboarding, and expand business development initiatives
• Adhere to institutional processes to ensure all Federal, State, accreditation, and institutional policies and procedures are being met
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of partnership team members, building a high-performing team aligned to CIAT’s strategic growth objectives
• Provide positive motivation and ongoing training for team members on policy and process changes. Communicate policy updates to staff as needed
• Coach, and counsel employees, in partnership with HR
• Provide professional growth opportunities for employees
• Manage and enforce timekeeping policies to ensure accuracy and timely process of employee’s timecards
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing results as needed
• Process timely, accurate, fair, without bias, performance reviews
• Embody CIAT’s mission, vision, purpose and values
• Ensure a safe, secure, and ethical work environment

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 10 years of previous experience in a management or leadership capacity supporting corporate strategic partnerships in higher education
• Experience with IT training/education solution sales preferred
• Minimum 10 years of experience using enterprise CRM systems such as Microsoft Dynamics or Salesforce
• Strong technical understanding of IT/cyber industry certifications from CompTIA, AWS, Microsoft, Cisco, ISC2 or other IT, cloud and cybersecurity fundamentals
• Strong understanding of DoD 8570/8140 requirements
• Familiarity and experience with GSA requirements preferred
• Reliable transportation to attend meetings and events
• Proven track record creating and expanding corporate training solutions
• Exceptional relationship-building and executive communication skills
• Ability to execute and adapt to changes in strategic initiatives
• Highly proficient in data analysis, reporting, and Microsoft Excel skills to present forecasting models, conversion rate analysis, benchmark performance metrics, and goal setting
• A computer savvy and technical mindset willing to learn new systems that are deployed and build automated processes to streamline manual activities
• Strong presentation, public speaking, and writing skills
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively convey information and interact with students, colleagues, and others
• Possess a sincere interest in helping others achieve life goals
• Takes a customer-service-oriented approach to recruiting and retaining students and collaborating with internal departments
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to support student success, achieve CIAT goals and contribute to a positive and inclusive culture
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that respects the diversity of employees and students' backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives 
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, assertive, results-driven, high energy, and highly ethical.
• Team player with a positive, can-do attitude
• Strong organizational skills with the proven ability to prioritize
• Possess high ethical standards, being an example of professionalism to others
• Ability to problem solve while maintaining compliance with all policies, procedures, and regulations, including those related to integrity, conduct, and professionalism
• Must be able to embody CIAT’s mission, vision, purpose and values

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend and evening hours may be required. Up to 30% travel may be required, including event participation, or on-site meetings with corporate or government customers. 

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervises team of Partnership Specialist employee positions.  

Values

Values such as integrity, excellence, customer service, teamwork and mutual respect are some of those that remain constant, regardless of changes in our company. When identifying company values, it is important that those values are being demonstrated in the course of business each day. Our values set expectations for how employees and managers interact with every person while representing the company.

• We are passionate about education and student success
• We value integrity and excellence in our employees and students
• We treat ourselves and our students with dignity and respect
• We believe in and encourage innovation at our school to better help our students succeed
• We have a customer centric focus and we want people highly committed to achieving goals, where our success equals student’s success
• We are accountable for our actions, and if errors occur, we focus on preventing future errors and moving forward
• We have a growth mindset, always looking for ways to improve, with a sincere belief that every student can do better and achieve their goals
• We expect every employee to be an example of conduct and professionalism, being a role model to students and colleagues
• We commit to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that respects the diversity of students' backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
• We foster lifelong learning and professional development

Physical Demands

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.

• Essential functions of this role require sitting for extended periods of time
• Ability to type, use a computer to search for information and input information while speaking on the phone is required
• The employee will frequently be required to use the computer, mouse and telephone to conduct the regular tasks of this role
• The employee will be required to compute simple to simple mathematical calculations as a normal part of this role
• Lifting up to 30 lbs. while supporting logistics for event participation

Work Environment

While performing the responsibilities of this remote position, the job holder will work in a home office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. This role routinely involves using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and virtual communication tools. Employees are expected to ensure that their home office is a safe and ergonomic working environment.

Employees must maintain data security and confidentiality in accordance with company policies and use secure connections for all work-related activities. Expectations regarding work hours, availability, and time tracking will be clearly communicated and must be adhered to.

The company is not responsible for maintaining home office environments beyond the provision of reasonable accommodations and necessary work-related equipment. Workers' compensation and liability for injuries that occur in the home office will be covered as per company policy and applicable laws.

This remote work policy is designed to comply with all relevant local, state, and federal laws.

When in the office, employees are expected to follow all workplace safety rules, security protocols, and professional conduct guidelines. They should maintain a clean and organized work area, be punctual, and actively engage in in-person meetings, collaboration, and training as scheduled. The in-office environment may involve occasional noise, shared workspaces, and use of common areas, and employees are expected to be respectful of others working nearby.

AAP/EEO Statement

California Institute of Applied Technology provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, California Institute of Applied Technology complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

California Institute of Applied Technology expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of California Institute of Applied Technology’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Salary Range

The starting salary range for the Director of Strategic Partnerships is $110,000- $140,000 yearly/DOE. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, experience, equity and other business and organizational needs. 

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