Business Development Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Business Development Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Aims Community College actively supports an environment that embraces the College's Mission, Vision, Values and a culture of innovation and care. The College embraces and seeks to hire individuals who want to be a part of this environment and have the skill sets necessary to be successful in this position.

The Business Development Manager, Strategic Partnerships cultivates and manages long‑term relationships with business and industry representatives, providing leadership to sector partnerships, nonprofits, and key stakeholders. They utilize a consultative sales approach to identify grants and funding opportunities and develop customized training projects that address specific client needs. In addition to identifying and driving revenue, this role supports the Aims Workforce Innovation Center (AWIC) by assisting the Executive Director of Corporate Solutions (ED) with sourcing and vetting incubator/innovation companies and contributing to partner strategies. This role negotiates, sells, writes, and manages customized training proposals and contracts, including initiating and managing grant applications and budget development. The position will collaborate with Business Development, Corporate Solutions and CS Program Managers to develop and manage all training revenue and expense budgets, reports, client contracts, and processes related to contract training and programs. This position will support the team in advertising, vetting, interviewing, and hiring CS subject‑matter experts as trainers or consultants to ensure the highest quality of program delivery and customer satisfaction. This role assists the ED with maintaining all CS customer relationship management and project management systems, including client, trainer, and curriculum databases, and may serve as the backup to the Executive Director of Corporate Solutions when needed. This role also engages in professional and personal skill development activities related to job responsibilities. Work hours may include evenings, weekends, or holidays, depending on the company served, contract schedule, special events, deadline requirements, or other duties as assigned. This is a two‑year temporary position, with possible renewal in July2028.

Business Development, Proposal & Grant Development & Contract Selling: 50%

Initiate and manage CS business development and account management for contracted training.

Identify and prioritize sales prospects in the Northern Colorado (NoCo) region, utilizing a consultative outside‑sales approach to target priority industries and meet strategic revenue targets.

Vet, develop, write, and manage Skill Advance and other state/federal grants; manage client relationships, application processes, and budget development.

Assist the ED in sourcing and vetting incubator/innovation companies for the AWIC, ensuring alignment with Aims' strategic goals, regional workforce mission, and growth potential.

Lead the end‑to‑end development of contract training proposals, including technical writing, pricing strategies, contract creation, negotiation, and closing.

Collaborate with and delegate to the CS project management team to ensure seamless delivery of training, including the management of budgets, contracts, grants, and internal processes.

Identify additional funding opportunities and collaborate with college staff to cross‑sell programs and refer business opportunities.

Provide regular reports on business development activities, pipeline status, and project outcomes.

Partnership Development & Relationship Networking: 20%

Build and maintain strong relationships with economic development entities, chambers of commerce, and other workforce agencies to ensure the alignment and execution of collaborative regional strategies.

Actively engage with NoCo businesses and industries to design and implement targeted professional development and training programs.

Under the direction of the ED, collaborate with regional industry leaders and AWIC‑affiliated incubator and innovation companies to design customized training and partner strategies that reflect emerging innovation trends.

Develop and manage a comprehensive database of employers, industry representatives, and trainers; maintain consistent communication through established professional channels.

Represent Aims' interests and expertise in workforce development at community events, conferences, committees, boards, and networking functions.

Corporate Solutions Operations: 15%

Work collaboratively with the ED and the BDM to develop, implement, and manage all CS standard operating procedures, departmental goals, customer relationship management systems, project management platforms, AI strategies, and curriculum databases.

Collaborate on outreach, sales plans, strategies, goals, and assessments of all CS and related programs. Implement these plans to effectively meet the needs of the NoCo workforce and promote economic development.

May serve as a backup to the Executive Director when needed.

Strategic Development: 10%

Gather and analyze labor market information, talent demand, and skill requirements to translate data into actionable workforce development strategies.

Prioritize segments of the NoCo economic landscape for development.

Promote community awareness of training and employment issues while staying informed on industry trends to position the college as the preferred provider for tailored corporate training.

Work closely with marketing, outreach partners, college colleagues, community liaisons and the ED of Corporate Solutions to organize and execute integrated outreach and sales strategies.

Other Duties as Assigned: 5%

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or other related areas; plus, three (3) years of relevant experience in direct or indirect sales, negotiation, and/or management in the area(s) of adult education, corporate solutions/customized training, customer success services or an equivalent/applicable field or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.

Superior organizational and analytical skills.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to represent the College in public.

Microsoft Office/Google/computer skills.

Knowledge of ethics and confidentiality issues.

Sales/Negotiation experience.

Customer Service experience.

This position requires the use of a company vehicle and/or personal vehicle for business travel. The selected candidate must successfully pass an MVR and be insurable under Aims insurance.

Preferred Qualifications

Four (4) years of relevant experience in direct or indirect sales, negotiation, and/or management in the area(s) of adult education, corporate solutions/customized training, and customer success services.

Customer Relationship Management and Project Management system/database experience.

Sales and Negotiation Training or Certification.

Experience utilizing or implementing AI and Agentic AI tools to enhance business workflows or data analysis.

Aims Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, or veteran's status. All application materials must be submitted by the closing date posted and become the property of Aims Community College. The screening committee will select finalists for interviews. The goal of Aims Community College is to enhance the diversity present in the district we serve. To comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, if hired, you will be required to provide documents within three (3) business days of hire date to show your identity and your authorization to work. This law applies to all persons hired.

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