Business Development Director, Strategic Workforce Funding Partnerships
About The Position
Cengage is seeking a senior commercial business development leader to identify, shape, and secure large-scale workforce funding opportunities that drive enrollment growth. The role calls for an established network of senior decision-makers and influencers across government, workforce development, economic development, education, and the private sector. The successful candidate will anticipate workforce investment priorities, position ed2go before opportunities are formally defined, and personally originate and secure large-scale funding partnerships. The director will lead opportunities from origination through relationship development, negotiation, agreement, and activation; build and advance a pipeline of funding opportunities; and represent ed2go in executive discussions, negotiations, and industry forums. The role also collaborates with Government Affairs and teams across Cengage and ed2go to address policy considerations, coordinate stakeholder engagement, activate partnerships, and advise senior leadership on funding trends, opportunities, and risks. Travel of up to 50% is required.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent related experience.
- 10+ years of experience in workforce funding, economic development, public-private partnerships, government-related business development, or a related field, including direct experience developing sophisticated funding opportunities.
- Deep knowledge of workforce funding and how investment priorities and decisions are shaped at the state and national levels.
- Established network of senior decision-makers and influencers across government, workforce and labor, economic development, and public-private partnerships, with proven ability to use those relationships to create opportunities.
- Proven success personally originating, developing, and securing large-scale workforce funding partnerships or initiatives with significant commercial or funding impact.
- Experience identifying and shaping opportunities before they become formal programs, procurements, or broadly available market opportunities.
- Experience leading complex, long-cycle business development efforts involving senior executives, government leaders, and multiple decision-makers.
- Strong commercial judgment, negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to navigate political considerations and competing interests.
- Ability to travel up to 50%.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree or equivalent experience in business, public policy, economic development, workforce development, education, or a related field.
- Experience developing funding initiatives involving government, education, economic development, employers, and private-sector partners.
- Experience working with Government Affairs on state or national initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Identify, shape, and secure workforce funding opportunities with seven-figure revenue potential or potential to expand funded enrollment across partners, markets, or states.
- Leverage relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers in governor's offices, state government, workforce and labor leadership, economic development, and public-private partnerships to access funding opportunities.
- Anticipate workforce investment priorities and position ed2go in discussions before funding programs or opportunities are formally established.
- Lead opportunities from origination through relationship development, negotiations, agreements, and activation.
- Develop funding partnerships involving state-funded programs, public-private initiatives, employer-backed coalitions, and other workforce investment models.
- Build and advance a pipeline of funding opportunities, evaluating revenue potential, scalability, and alignment with business priorities.
- Represent ed2go in executive discussions, negotiations, and industry forums to strengthen relationships and originate opportunities.
- Collaborate with Government Affairs and teams across Cengage and ed2go to navigate policy considerations, coordinate engagement with key decision-makers, and activate secured funding partnerships.
- Provide senior leadership with insights into workforce funding trends, emerging opportunities, and market risks.
Benefits
- Eligibility to participate in the company's variable Sales incentive compensation program.
- Comprehensive Total Rewards package.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
