📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships
🔹 Company: UMA Education
🔹 Location: Clearwater, FL
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site
🔹 Category: Education, Strategic Partnerships
🔹 Date Posted: July 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-Site (with flexible remote schedule)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Identifying, cultivating, and managing high-impact partnerships to expand access to quality higher education
- Shaping and executing the institution’s external engagement strategy
- Fostering collaborations with corporations, non-profits, government agencies, and educational organizations
- Driving enrollment growth, enhancing student success, and supporting workforce development initiatives
- Cross-functional leadership and influencing change in complex environments
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with various stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead Strategic Partnership Operations: Manage the strategic direction, operations, and performance of the Strategic Partnerships department
✅ Develop and Secure B2B Agreements: Identify, negotiate, and manage employer partnerships including tuition benefit programs, clinical training pipelines, direct-to-employer pathways, and upskilling/reskilling initiatives
✅ Drive Long-Term Strategic Planning: Analyze labor market trends and industry needs to inform partnership strategies, advise executive leadership, and support program development and institutional growth
✅ Manage Budgets and Performance Metrics: Oversee departmental budgets, forecasts, and KPIs related to partnership initiatives; ensure efficient allocation of resources to maximize impact
✅ Cultivate and Expand Employer Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, healthcare organizations, and community partners to promote institutional offerings and enhance student placement opportunities
✅ Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal departments to ensure seamless execution and alignment of partnership initiatives. Lead and coach a team of partnership development managers or campus liaisons, where applicable
✅ Evaluate Program Effectiveness: Track and report on key success indicators such as partnership growth, enrollment conversions, and employer satisfaction; use data to refine strategies and improve outcomes
✅ Design Customized Workforce Training: Collaborate with employers to co-create tailored training programs that address specific workforce development needs and support career advancement for learners
✅ Engage in Community and Policy Advocacy: Represent the institution in community workforce initiatives and advocate for policies and funding that support equitable access to education and training
✅ Lead with Care: Lead, coach, and develop team members, fostering a culture of wellness, recognition, and engagement
✅ Perform other duties as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills to successfully manage partnerships and drive institutional growth.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field
Experience: 7 years of experience in employer engagement, business development, strategic partnerships, or workforce development, preferably in the healthcare or education sectors
Required Skills:
- Executive presence, strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, data-driven planning and execution mindset, interpersonal skill, relationship building, and a deep understanding of labor market trends and workforce development challenges
- Ability to professionally communicate fluently in verbal and written English
- Ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment
- Computer literacy/basic computer skills to effectively navigate and utilize the technology required for the role
Preferred Skills:
- Any advanced degree, especially in business development, strategic partnerships, workforce development or related
- Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP), Advanced Certificate in Workforce Development, or related certifications
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other business tools such as Microsoft Teams
- Other skills – stakeholder management, data analysis, change management, training program development, and/or sales
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience and a strong background in strategic partnerships, business development, or workforce development are encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $130,800 - $135,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- FSA/HSA
- Basic Life Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Long Term Disability
- Short Term Disability
- Supplemental Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- 401k
- Pet Insurance
- Identity Theft Protection
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's pay transparency statement and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: UMA Education is a nonprofit healthcare educational institution with a national presence, focusing on medical, dental, and vision programs
Company Size: UMA Education is a mid-sized company with a national presence, offering content-rich, interactive online programs and hands-on training at its Clearwater, Florida campus
Founded: UMA Education was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida
Company Description:
- UMA Education offers a wide range of healthcare educational programs, including medical, dental, and vision, to students across the United States
- The company provides both online and on-campus learning options, allowing students to choose the format that best suits their needs
- UMA Education is committed to expanding access to quality, affordable, and flexible higher education through strategic partnerships with corporations, non-profits, government agencies, and educational organizations
Company Specialties:
- Healthcare education and training
- Strategic partnerships and workforce development
- Online and on-campus learning options
Company Website: https://www.ultimatemedical.edu/
ASSUMPTION: UMA Education is a well-established institution in the healthcare education sector, with a strong focus on expanding access to quality higher education through strategic partnerships.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-senior level, requiring a high level of strategic thinking, communication, and leadership skills
Reporting Structure: The Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships will report directly to the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and will oversee a team of partnership development managers or campus liaisons
Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site at UMA’s Clearwater, Florida campus, with a flexible remote schedule for online/virtual instructional opportunities
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career advancement within the Strategic Partnerships department or other areas of the organization
- Opportunities to lead and develop a team of partnership development managers or campus liaisons
- Chance to make a significant impact on the institution's external engagement strategy and partnership initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within the organization and make a meaningful impact on the institution's strategic partnerships.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: UMA Education's Clearwater, Florida campus offers a blend of on-site and virtual work environments, with opportunities for online/virtual instructional opportunities
Office Location(s): UMA Education's Clearwater, Florida campus is located at 12200 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL 33762
Geographic Context:
- The Clearwater, Florida area offers a subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm summers
- The region is known for its beaches, water activities, and outdoor recreation opportunities
- Clearwater is located near Tampa, providing easy access to urban amenities and cultural attractions
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed
ASSUMPTION: The Clearwater, Florida campus offers a dynamic work environment, with opportunities for both on-site and virtual collaboration and interaction.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the UMA Education careers portal
- Phone or video screening with the Human Resources department
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders
- Background check and reference checks
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Relationship-building and stakeholder management abilities
- Data-driven decision-making and analytical skills
- Leadership and team management skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of UMA Education's mission and strategic partnerships initiatives in your application materials
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your experience with strategic partnerships, business development, and workforce development
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan
ATS Keywords: Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Workforce Development, Partnership Management, Stakeholder Relationships, Strategic Planning, Enrollment Growth, Student Success, Education, Healthcare
ASSUMPTION: UMA Education uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume and application materials can help improve your visibility to the hiring team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Microsoft Teams
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is preferred, but not required, as training will be provided as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Act with Integrity: UMA Education operates honestly and ethically in an industry-compliant fashion, with a strong commitment to fairness, trustworthiness, and professionalism
- Champion Student Outcomes: UMA Education is deeply dedicated to ensuring students' educational and career success, with a strong commitment to building students' confidence and empowering them to reach their full potential
- Commit to Team Member Success: UMA Education is committed to its team members' success, offering continuous learning, professional development, and career growth opportunities, with a strong focus on recognition and engagement
- Pursue Results with Purpose: UMA Education pursues results with a sense of urgency and purpose, greeting new ideas and challenges openly and looking for innovative solutions to challenges
- Have Fun. Build Energy: Enjoying what UMA Education does is central to achieving its goals, with a strong focus on building energy, having fun, being optimistic, and creating a positive working environment
- Work as One: UMA Education believes that diverse, inclusive teams produce breakthrough results, with a strong commitment to building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues from all types of backgrounds
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong focus on cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Data-driven and analytical, with a strong commitment to using data to inform decision-making and improve outcomes
- Adaptable and flexible, with a willingness to take on new challenges and adapt to changing priorities
- Results-oriented, with a strong focus on achieving measurable results and holding each other accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong commitment to UMA Education's mission and values, and can you demonstrate how your personal values align with the company's?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and can you adapt to changing priorities and new challenges?
- Do you have strong communication and negotiation skills, and can you effectively build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels?
- Are you comfortable using data to inform decision-making and improve outcomes, and do you have experience with data analysis and visualization tools?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with UMA Education's values and work style are more likely to be successful in this role and contribute to the company's mission and goals.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of partnerships and stakeholder relationships can be challenging, requiring strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Balancing strategic planning and day-to-day operations can be demanding, requiring strong time management and prioritization skills
- Working with diverse stakeholders, including corporations, non-profits, government agencies, and educational organizations, can present unique challenges and require strong communication and negotiation skills
- Ensuring the success of partnership initiatives and driving enrollment growth can be challenging, requiring a strong understanding of the higher education landscape and labor market trends
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are comfortable with change, adaptable, and have strong communication and negotiation skills are better equipped to overcome these challenges.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other strategic partnerships or business development roles in the education or healthcare sectors, but with a unique focus on expanding access to quality higher education through strategic partnerships
- Unlike other roles, this position requires a strong understanding of labor market trends and workforce development challenges, as well as the ability to design customized workforce training programs
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to executive leadership positions within the Strategic Partnerships department or other areas of the organization
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or workforce development in the education or healthcare sectors are well-positioned for success in this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new employer engagement strategy to drive enrollment growth and enhance student success
- Negotiating and managing a tuition benefit program with a major corporation, resulting in a significant increase in student enrollment and employer satisfaction
- Collaborating with a government agency to design and deliver a customized workforce training program, addressing specific workforce development needs and supporting career advancement for learners
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills required for success in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of UMA Education's strategic partnerships initiatives, and how this role will contribute to their success?
- How does UMA Education support the professional development and career growth of its team members, particularly in the Strategic Partnerships department?
- Can you provide examples of how UMA Education has advocated for policies and funding that support equitable access to education and training?
- How does UMA Education measure the success of its partnership initiatives, and how will this role be held accountable for driving results?
- What are the most significant challenges facing UMA Education's strategic partnerships initiatives, and how can this role help address them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to UMA Education's mission and goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the UMA Education careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your experience with strategic partnerships, business development, and workforce development
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan
- Follow up with the hiring manager or Human Resources department within one week of your interview to express your interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
