Director of Industry and Strategic Partnerships

Director of Industry and Strategic Partnerships

The Director of Industry and Strategic Partnerships leads K-State Olathe’s( efforts to develop and expand strategic relationships with corporations, industry partners, employers, community organizations, and regional stakeholders. The position is responsible for identifying, developing, and converting external partnership opportunities into measurable outcomes that advance enrollment growth, workforce development, applied research, fee-for-service activities, and diversified revenue generation for K-State Olathe.
Working closely with the K-State Office of External Engagement and other university partners, the director identifies organizational and community needs, connects partners with university expertise and resources, and collaborates across campus to develop customized education, workforce, research, and engagement solutions. The position also strengthens K-State Olathe’s role as a trusted civic and regional partner by supporting initiatives that expand learner access, address workforce and community needs, and create measurable regional impact.
The director represents the Dean and CEO in selected corporate, civic, community, and university settings and supports the implementation of K-State Olathe’s strategic priorities through relationship management, partnership development, data-informed planning, and cross-campus collaboration.
Success in this position is measured by the development and conversion of partnership opportunities into tangible outcomes, including enrollment growth, workforce-training revenue, fee-for-service activity, industry -sponsored research, and other strategic partnerships that advance K-State Olathe’s mission and financial sustainability.

The position is Hybrid eligible . This position is hybrid eligible; however, we require the first 90 days to be 100% on-site to allow for training and onboarding. After that period, hybrid eligibility will be discussed with the supervisor. It is important to note that when duties require in-person attendance, this position requires a commitment to being in the office.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent)
• Ten years of relevant experience
• Requirements may be met through a combination of education and experience
• Valid Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• Excellent writing and executive communication skills with a focus on business communications and presentations as evidenced by application materials.
• Demonstrated success developing partnerships that resulted in measurable organizational growth, revenue generation, enrollments, contracts, sponsored programs, or other quantifiable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop opportunities from prospect identification through implementation, resulting in measurable business, educational, workforce, research, or revenue outcomes.
• Experience managing a business-development, employer-engagement, or partnership pipeline.
• Experience developing proposals, scopes of work, partnership agreements, or service contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to translate organizational capabilities into externally funded opportunities.
• Experience working with industry associations, chambers of commerce, workforce-development organizations, or economic-development entities
• Experience working in a complex organization with multiple stakeholders across both internal and external clients
• CRM proficiency for tracking pipeline and partner engagement
• Attention to detail
• Proven ability to execute multiple projects and meet tight deadlines

Additional Role Information:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of three on-site days per week after 90 days.
• Must be able to work some nights and weekends as needed to support events, conferences, and industry or community engagements.
• Travel between K-State campuses in Olathe, Manhattan and Salina as well as within the greater Kansas City region as needed. Occasional state and national travel. A valid motor vehicle operator’s license with an acceptable driving record required as well as the ability to travel by air.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Application Window

Applications close on: November 1, 2026. Application review will begin on or after the close date.