📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Vice President Growth and Partnerships
🔹 Company: Ruffalo Noel Levitz
🔹 Location: Remote (Anywhere, US)
🔹 Job Type: Other
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (Solely)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic business development and partnership cultivation
- Executive-level outreach and relationship building
- University procurement engagement and contract negotiation
- Event sponsorship and corporate engagement management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Initiate peer-to-peer conversations with senior-level education executives to secure introductory sales meetings
✅ Conduct preliminary discovery and qualification meetings with targeted prospects to identify future business potential
✅ Develop and execute a strategic approach to securing preferred buyer agreements with university systems, consortia, and third-party funders
✅ Engage and negotiate with procurement departments, consortia, and state systems to establish formal agreements
✅ Identify, prospect, and cultivate relationships with potential corporate sponsors for RNL events
✅ Conduct in-depth market research and industry analysis to identify emerging trends and sales/partnership growth opportunities
✅ Partner with RNL Corporate Marketing to coordinate events, focusing on performance metrics, resource allocation, and staffing
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, relationship building, and operational tasks, requiring strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field; master's degree preferred
Experience: 4+ years of experience in event sponsorships, partnerships, sales development, or marketing, with experience in higher education procurement processes preferred
Required Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a customer-centric and relationship-building approach
- Demonstrated ability and comfort with cold-calling and initiating peer-to-peer conversations
- Excellent organizational, multitasking, and prioritization skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure
- Motivated to work collaboratively in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment
- Hard working and tenacious, with a demonstrated commitment to achieving performance goals both individually and within a team
- Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a detail-oriented, self-motivated, and independent work ethic with minimal supervision
- Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with event planning
- Fluency in additional languages (beneficial but not required)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in sales, partnerships, or business development, with a proven track record in higher education or a related industry.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a mid-senior level role in higher education)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with occasional travel (5%)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a mid-senior level role in higher education. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Ruffalo Noel Levitz is a leading provider of higher education enrollment management, student success, and fundraising solutions, serving colleges and nonprofit organizations for over 40 years.
Company Size: Mid-sized (501-1,000 employees), offering a mix of corporate and remote work environments.
Founded: 1974 (as Ruffalo & Associates)
Company Description:
- Focuses on enrolling the students colleges want, helping more students graduate and succeed, and building lifelong relationships with donors
- Offers a range of services, including enrollment management, student success, fundraising, and software solutions
- Committed to making colleges, universities, and nonprofits successful and vibrant with inspired and relevant engagement
Company Specialties:
- Enrollment Management
- Fundraising Management
- Student Success
- Retention
- Planned Giving
- Marketing
- Financial Aid Services
- Software
- Engagement
- Telefundraising
- Remote Engagement
- Higher Education
- Graduate and Online Enrollment
- Online Program Management (OPM)
- Online Program Enablement (OPE)
- Adult student lifecycle
Company Website: http://www.RuffaloNL.com
ASSUMPTION: Ruffalo Noel Levitz is a well-established company in the higher education sector, with a strong focus on enrollment management, student success, and fundraising solutions.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Partnerships and works closely with the sales team, marketing, and subject matter experts.
Work Arrangement: Remote (Solely), with occasional travel (5%)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into senior leadership roles within the company
- Expanding skills and expertise in higher education enrollment management, student success, and fundraising
- Gaining experience in strategic business development and partnership cultivation
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the higher education sector.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote (Anywhere, US)
Office Location(s): Cedar Rapids, IA; Raleigh, NC; Schaumburg, IL
Geographic Context:
- Remote work allows for flexibility in location and a better work-life balance
- RNL has multiple office locations across the United States, offering opportunities for in-person collaboration and networking
- The company primarily serves higher education institutions, which may have specific regional or national focuses
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with occasional travel (5%)
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement provides flexibility and convenience, while occasional travel allows for in-person collaboration and networking opportunities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- In-depth behavioral and situational interviews with hiring managers and team members
- Final interviews with senior leadership
- Background check and reference checks
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
- Sales and business development experience
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your sales and business development achievements
- Research Ruffalo Noel Levitz and the higher education industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the position
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Sales Development, Event Sponsorships, Partnerships, Market Research, Negotiation, Communication, Relationship Building, Organizational Skills, CRM Proficiency, Team Collaboration, Customer-Centric Approach, Detail-Oriented, Self-Motivated, Cold Calling, Multitasking
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and experiences through targeted examples and stories.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM: Salesforce
- Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Video conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet
- Project management: Asana, Trello
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are commonly used in the higher education industry and may vary depending on the specific role and team.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Inspired and relevant engagement
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Continuous learning and improvement
- Integrity and accountability
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and ever-changing environment
- Customer-centric and relationship-building approach
- Strong organizational, multitasking, and prioritization skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Tenacious and hardworking
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders?
- How do you stay organized and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment?
- How do you adapt to change and learn new skills in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Ruffalo Noel Levitz values employees who are inspired, collaborative, and committed to continuous learning and improvement, with a strong focus on customer-centric engagement.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Occasional travel requirements may disrupt work-life balance
- Fast-paced and ever-changing environment may be challenging for those who prefer a more stable work environment
- Requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
- May face competition from other candidates with relevant skills and experiences
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and industry, and candidates should be prepared to address them proactively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other business development roles, this position focuses more on strategic partnerships and event sponsorships within the higher education industry
- Requires a deeper understanding of higher education enrollment management, student success, and fundraising solutions
- Offers opportunities for career progression into senior leadership roles within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on strategic partnerships and event sponsorships within the higher education industry, offering a specialized career path for candidates with relevant skills and experiences.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic approach to secure preferred buyer agreements with university systems, consortia, and third-party funders
- Identifying, prospecting, and cultivating relationships with potential corporate sponsors for RNL events
- Conducting in-depth market research and industry analysis to identify emerging trends and sales/partnership growth opportunities
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and operational aspects of the role, requiring strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role contribute to the overall strategic goals of the company?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and employee well-being?
- How does the company foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions help candidates understand the role's strategic importance, the company's commitment to employee growth and well-being, and its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your sales and business development achievements
- Research Ruffalo Noel Levitz and the higher education industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the position
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
