VP, University Partnerships

Cardinal Group Companies•Denver, CO

43d•$140,000 - $1,600,000

About The Position

The Vice President of University Partnerships and Transitions leads the company's strategy to build, expand, and sustain relationships with higher education institutions nationwide. This team member serves as the liaison between the company and new university partners and clients, positioning the organization as the trusted, knowledgeable, and ethical choice for P3 housing development and management. The Vice President of University Partnerships and Transitions operates in partnership with several key leaders of our business streams, requiring sound judgment, proactive communication, and accountability for both results and process integrity. This leader will manage the business development, transitions, and proposal teams - ensuring alignment between institutional expectations, operational readiness, and company values.

Requirements

Deep understanding of higher education governance, procurement, and housing operations
Demonstrates political acumen and sensitivity to the culture and governance structures of higher education institutions.
Skilled in stakeholder alignment and able to "speak the language" of both university and private-sector partners.
Self-directed executive capable of operating collaboratively with key, internal stakeholders while maintaining executive poise and strategic alignment.
Excellent communicator - persuasive, analytical, and politically astute.
Proven track record of leading teams to win complex institutional contracts.
Exhibits exceptional judgment in situations involving public perception, conflict of interest, or ambiguous stakeholder dynamics.
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in business, real estate, higher education administration, or related field preferred.
10+ years of experience in higher-education partnerships, real estate development, or property management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Demonstrated experience navigating university governance and procurement processes with understanding of institutional ethics requirements.
Proven record of leading business development initiatives that balance profitability, compliance, and client trust.
Strong command of market analysis, financial modeling, and proposal strategy.
Excellent written, visual, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to represent the company with professionalism and authenticity.
Experience implementing or managing CRM systems, proposal workflows, and governance frameworks.
Ability to travel regularly for partner engagement, conferences, and team leadership.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in business, real estate, higher education administration, or related field preferred.
Familiarity with FERPA, Title IX, and data-protection requirements within higher-education environments preferred.
Integration and national network with multiple Universities preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and nurture relationships with university decision-makers, auxiliary services, housing departments, and procurement officers to strengthen the company's reputation as the most capable and collaborative housing partner.
Serve as the external face of the management company to institutional clients - translating complex university needs into actionable partnership solutions.
Develop and execute strategies that position the company to win and maintain university housing management and consulting assignments through credibility, transparency, and performance
Act as an advisor to the President and executive team on trends, risks, and opportunities within the higher-education housing market.
Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all interactions with institutional partners, ensuring compliance with public procurement and higher-education contracting practices.
Identify and mitigate reputational or relationship risks proactively; escalate potential issues through proper governance channels.
Build and nurture relationships with potential campus adjacent and off campus clients that fit the Capstone criteria for new business opportunities.
Lead all aspects of business development, including market research, opportunity identification, lead generation, and proposal development.
Oversee preparation and delivery of RFP, RFI, and proposal responses - including narrative content, visuals, and financial modeling - ensuring submissions reflect accuracy, compliance, and respect for institutional tone.
Manage and maintain the business development pipeline, tracking all pursuits, conversions, and revenue projections within the company's CRM system.
Analyze economic and demographic data to inform pursuit strategies, fee structures, and partnership models.
Oversee economic, competitive, and demographic analyses to inform go/no-go decisions and strategic positioning.
Implement and refine pricing and fee structures using financial modeling tools (e.g., Fee Calculator) to align profitability with competitive advantage.
Coordinate closely with Legal on contract reviews, term sheets, and master service agreements to ensure risk management and compliance.
Partner with HR, Legal, and Marketing to ensure RFP responses accurately represent company commitments related to diversity, workforce practices, and community impact.
Participate in quarterly business reviews to evaluate pipeline performance, forecast accuracy, and potential exposure points.
Review and coordinate legal documentation (PMA, MSA, Term Sheets, etc.) in collaboration with company counsel to safeguard the company's interests.
Maintain transparent and auditable records of all pursuits, proposals, and client interactions to support institutional accountability and compliance audits.
Establish, monitor, and continuously improve processes for RFP workflow, data management, and reporting efficiency.
Champion the company's DEI and ethical-partnership commitments within all business development and client engagement efforts.
Lead, mentor, and develop the Business Development and Transitions teams, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Oversee transition planning for new clients, ensuring a seamless handoff from proposal to operations.
Partner with Marketing to shape proposal design, collateral development, and thought leadership that communicates the company's institutional expertise and adaptability.
Coordinate with Operations and Transition Specialists to ensure seamless handoff of new business from development to management teams.
Drive collaboration across Operations, Development, and Legal teams to maintain consistency between proposal commitments and operational delivery.
Manage the department's budget and forecast performance metrics to ensure responsible use of resources.
Provide leadership and structure for Business Development budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
Model inclusive leadership and promote a team culture that values ethics, client stewardship, and internal collaboration.