Director, Business Partnership Development at InsideHigherEd

Director, Strategic Partnership Management, Georgia Fintech Academy

Robinson College of Business

Georgia Fintech Academy

The Georgia Fintech Academy (GFA) is a statewide initiative designed to connect students, employers, and educators to meet the growing demand for fintech talent across Georgia and beyond. Established under the University System of Georgia (USG) and headquartered at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, the Academy serves as the central hub for fintech education, experiential learning, and workforce development.

The Academy operates on a collaborative, multi-institution model, bringing together Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities, private institutions, and industry partners to build a robust, diverse, and job-ready talent pipeline. Through shared courses, events, and employer partnerships, students gain both technical and business skills that align directly with workforce needs in payments, banking, cybersecurity, and emerging financial technologies.

This role will be hired through Georgia State University and will report directly to the Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy (also aligned to Georgia State University). The position plays a key part in advancing GSU’s commitment to workforce innovation and economic development by supporting fintech education, industry collaboration, and student success across the University System of Georgia.

These are exciting times at the Georgia Fintech Academy at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. We are growing, and we are thrilled that you are interested in being a part of our team. We are surrounded by individuals empowered to use their expertise and talents to achieve our mission to pursue excellence.

WHAT MAKES J. Mack Robinson College of Business A GREAT PLACE?

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.

• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners.

• Professional development opportunities and mentorship

• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

The Georgia Fintech Academy is seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to serve as the Director of
Strategic Partnerships. This role will drive the development and management of partnerships that
support the Academy's mission to bridge academia and the fintech industry, fostering opportunities for
student talent development, research collaboration, and industry engagement. The Director will be
instrumental in building long-term relationships that contribute to interconnected growth, community
synergy, and unified progress.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished leader with exceptional organizational and management skills, a
passion for cultivating collaboration and trust, and the ability to function with a high degree of
professionalism and integrity. They bring a strategic mindset, operational rigor, and a proven track
record of influencing stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite executives, in both for-profit and nonprofit
sectors. A background in Marketing, Product Development, and Sales is highly valued.

Partnership Development and Management:

• Identify and engage potential industry partners to expand the Academy's strategic alliances.
  Act as the primary relationship manager, overseeing the initiation, maintenance, and growth of
  partnerships.

• Develop detailed partnership launch plans and timelines, leading internal and external project
  meetings to facilitate successful collaborations.

• Ensure all partnership activities align with the Academy's objectives, adding value and
  promoting mutual benefits.

• Navigate partner organizations to influence key decision-makers across technical and business
  functions, including executive leadership.

Collaborative Outreach and Engagement:

• Work closely with faculty, university administrators, and industry stakeholders to foster
  partnerships that offer immersive experiences, professional development, and sponsored
  research.

• Position the Georgia Fintech Academy as a premier source of fintech talent and innovation,
  enhancing its visibility through targeted outreach.

• Maintain open and proactive communication with partners to support joint initiatives, track
  partnership progress, and facilitate renewals.

Strategic Planning and Implementation:

• Collaborate with Academy leadership to identify strategic opportunities for increased
  partnership engagement.

• Lead the creation and execution of multi-faceted plans from concept to implementation,
  ensuring sustainability and measurable impact.

• Provide insights and recommendations to refine partnership strategies and expand the
  Academy's reach and influence.

• Stay informed about market trends and competitive dynamics to shape and evolve the partnership
  programs effectively.

Program and Event Coordination:

• Partners with internal teams to support key events, such as career fairs, student projects, and
  speaker series, in coordination with industry partners.

• Oversee the integration of partner contributions into academic programming, fostering
  opportunities for student experiential learning.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Ensure accurate and up-to-date tracking of partnerships using tools such as Salesforce,
  documenting contacts, activities, and related outcomes.

• Prepare reports and dashboards to illustrate partnership performance and trends for
  stakeholders.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Serve as the liaison between strategic partners and relevant university departments, ensuring
  effective communication and seamless contract execution.

• Collaborate with marketing teams to highlight partnership successes and promote the Academy's initiatives through various channels.

Benefits – The University System of Georgia (USG) provides comprehensive benefits to Georgia State employees. USG offers healthcare, dental, vision and other benefits, as well as retirement plan options. https://hr.gsu.edu/service-centers/benefits/ 

USG Retirement 

·        Optional Retirement Plan -- ORP is a 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan. Employees contribute 6% and USG contributes 9.24% to the plan. Employees are immediately vested. 

·        Teacher Retirement System -- TRS is a Defined Benefit Plan, a traditional public pension plan. Employees contribute 6% and USG contributes 19.81% to the plan. Your retirement benefit is calculated by factoring years of service, final salary and 2% multiplier. Employees are vested after 10 years. 

See the retirement comparison for more information. 

·        Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) -- Full-time employees enrolled in a USG degree program may earn their degree for free.Find the TAP details here. 

Minimum Hiring Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, education, or a related field and six years of relevant experience in partnership management, business development, or strategic leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to manage high-level partnerships and influence decision-makers across various levels, including C-suite executives.

• Experience leading complex initiatives in a matrixed environment, developing and executing multi-faceted plans, and delivering measurable results.

• Strategic partnership experience in for-profit and/or non-profit organizations, ideally with exposure to Marketing, Product Development, and Sales.

• Strong skills in proposal development, contract negotiation, strategic planning, budgeting/forecasting, and conflict management.

• Ability to think strategically, analytically, and operationally to improve business processes, productize programs, and craft compelling partnership roadmaps.

• Proven experience working effectively with faculty, university administrators, and advisory board members.

• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate vision and ideas effectively to diverse audiences.

• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage time-sensitive challenges constructively.

• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, process-driven environments with lean staffing support.

• Personnel and administrative management experience.

• Ability to travel up to 25% and accommodate a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends.

• Position may also assume other duties as assigned.