Executive Director, Custom Programs

Columbia University

Aug 18

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Senior Level

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required, MBA or other advanced degree in a related subject area preferred.
Minimum of 6-8 years’ experience required, preferably in consulting, consultative sales/business development or marketing.
Strong team management and relationship building capability.
Experience selling complex services to senior corporate decision makers.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and very strong interpersonal skills.
Must have proven sales and negotiation ability.
Must be able to multi-task, to prioritize and to deal with change.
Expertise in Microsoft Office applications and customer relationship management software.
Preferred Qualifications
International experience preferred.
Entrepreneurial experience is also of interest.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements a custom program strategy in close collaboration with the Senior Associate Dean. Drives custom program business growth in domestic and international markets.
Supervises and manages the performance of the team of custom business development executives. Develops objectives and business targets for team members in line with overall team and department objectives. Coaches and mentors team members and shares best practices.
Manages resources effectively and efficiently – allocating opportunities, clients and leads to team members in a transparent way.
Manages key client relationships and nurtures relationships with senior HR and L&D executives across industries and geographies to generate increased opportunities for executive education.
Develops and manages a portfolio of corporate and/or institutional custom clients and programs. Build and execute on a business development strategy that dovetails with that of the department and with the other Senior Directors, Custom Programs.
Creates and leads sales pitches and processes the optimize win rate. Participates in sales pitches and sales discussions with other team members, as required.
Ensures the team generates creative, highly professional proposals that help secure new business and represent Columbia Business School’s capabilities and brand.
In collaboration with Senior Associate Dean, manages program pricing. Approves and negotiates commercial terms and contracts with clients, oversees program budgets and collaborates with the Executive Education operations team to allocate internal resources.
Develops well-considered forecasts for the custom business, conduct sales and profitability analysis. Ensures business development and client management activity across the team is input into Salesforce and runs Salesforce reports as needed.
Builds strong relationships with faculty so team has their support when: developing proposals and custom program designs; pitching for business; designing and delivering programs. Ensures team clearly communicates faculty compensation relating to custom program development and delivery and to faculty-assisted business development. Identify and mobilize new Business School professors to increase team of faculty supporting executive education’s custom programs.
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with key divisions at Columbia Business School e.g., Finance & Administration, External Relations, Alumni Relations, and General Counsel to support the business development activities for new and existing custom clients. Maintain an understanding of and points of view about current and future trends in executive education.
Develops and maintains comprehensive understanding of Columbia Business School’s Executive Education internal and external environment in order to respond strategically to business needs. Evaluate marketing and sales results through an analytical approach to provide the Vice Dean and Senior Associate Dean of Executive Education with recommendations for optimal resource allocation.
Work closely with Senior Associate Dean and Vice Dean to initiate growth in the domestic and international markets. Conduct client face to face business meetings at the highest levels of organizations in order to secure business globally.
Other related duties as assigned.

FAQs

What is the job type for the Executive Director, Custom Programs position?

The job type for this position is Officer of Administration.

What is the salary range for this role?

The salary range for the Executive Director, Custom Programs position is $150,000 - $165,000.

What are the expected working hours for this position?

The expected working hours for this position are 35 hours per week.

What qualifications are required for this role?

A bachelor's degree is required, with a preference for an MBA or other advanced degree in a related subject area. Additionally, a minimum of 6-8 years’ experience in consulting, consultative sales/business development or marketing is required.

Is international experience preferred for this position?

Yes, international experience is preferred for the Executive Director, Custom Programs role.

Will the selected candidate manage a team?

Yes, the Executive Director will supervise and manage the performance of a team of custom business development executives.

What skills are essential for this role?

Essential skills for this role include strong team management, relationship building, excellent written and oral communication, proven sales and negotiation ability, and expertise in Microsoft Office applications and customer relationship management software.

Who does the Executive Director, Custom Programs report to?

The Executive Director, Custom Programs reports to the Senior Associate Dean of Executive Education.

Is entrepreneurial experience considered beneficial for this position?

Yes, entrepreneurial experience is considered beneficial and of interest for the Executive Director, Custom Programs position.

What is the role of the Executive Director in terms of business development?

The Executive Director is responsible for proactively securing their own portfolio of new and existing custom program clients and business in both US and international markets, as well as developing and executing a business development strategy.

Columbia University

The official LinkedIn home of Columbia University.

Education

Industry

10,001+

Employees

1754

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

For more than 250 years, Columbia has been a leader in higher education in the nation and around the world. At the core of our wide range of academic inquiry is the commitment to attract and engage the best minds in pursuit of greater human understanding, pioneering new discoveries and service to society.