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Dir IV, Adm & Managerial

at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, United States

Job Description



Dir IV, Adm & Managerial

Kansas State University

About This Role

K-State Olathe seeks a Director of Strategic Partnerships & Regional Engagement to strengthen the campus's industry partnerships, community collaborations, and regional business engagement that support academic programs, research activities, and professional and continuing education. The director cultivates and manages relationships with industry partners, civic organizations, and community stakeholders to advance the strategic priorities of K-State Olathe and the broader university.

Serving as a key external-facing ambassador, this role aligns internal leaders and partners around shared goals and converts engagement into outcomes such as workforce development initiatives, applied research collaborations, program growth, and new opportunities across the Kansas City metro, the State of Kansas, and the greater surrounding region.

The director identifies and advances strategic opportunities that strengthen K-State Olathe's role as a regional hub for education, research, and industry collaboration. Responsibilities include leading campus-level corporate engagement strategy, supporting business development for revenue-producing initiatives, and representing the Dean/CEO at designated internal and external engagements. This role collaborates and works with the K-State Office of External Engagement and the K-State Foundation to ensure a coordinated university approach to strategic and external partnerships.

Specific Job Responsibilities include:

Corporate Engagement & Business Development
  • Serve as the primary partnership and business development lead for K-State Olathe, driving growth through corporate engagement, public-sector collaboration, professional and continuing education (PCE) development, and conferencing partnerships.
  • In collaboration with the K-State Office of External Engagement, conduct consultative partnership development activities, including prospecting, relationship building, needs assessment, solution development, program alignment, proposal preparation, and negotiation of partnership agreements.
  • Identify, cultivate, and secure partnership commitments for custom training, professional development programs, microcredentials, workforce development initiatives, applied research collaborations, conferences, and event partnerships.
  • Develop and sustain industry relationships that create direct recruitment pipelines for credit-bearing undergraduate and graduate programs, including cohort-based enrollments, employer-sponsored students, and upskilling pathways.
  • Act as the key account manager for major industry, government, and community partners, ensuring strong relationships, ongoing engagement, and multi-year strategic value.
  • Collaborate with PCE leadership and program managers to translate employer and industry needs into relevant offerings and tailored workforce solutions.
  • Maintain a comprehensive pipeline of prospective partners using CRM systems, providing regular forecasting, pipeline metrics, and strategic insights.
  • In partnership with the K-State Foundation, support the cultivation of philanthropic relationships with industry, government, and community organizations that align with campus priorities and expand learner access.
  • Monitor market and workforce trends to identify new partnership opportunities and inform program development.

    Strategic Partnerships & Executive Representation
  • Represent the Dean/CEO at meetings, committees, public events, and other engagements as assigned.
  • Serve as a liaison between K-State Olathe and Manhattan/Salina units to ensure coordinated partnership strategies and communication.
  • Develop partnership agreements, business plans, MOUs, and related documents, collaborating with legal and risk management as needed.
  • Coordinate with the university Office of External Engagement to ensure consistent, aligned, and compliant engagement with policymakers.
  • Monitor legislative developments, state and federal funding opportunities, and policy trends that influence K-State Olathe's priorities.
  • Represent K-State Olathe in regional stakeholder convenings (e.g., chambers, economic development groups, councils).
  • Supervision of unit personnel in future unit growth

    Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives
  • Support execution of the K-State Olathe Strategic Plan, including tracking and reporting progress toward engagement- and partnership-related goals.
  • Lead or assist with feasibility studies, pilot programs, emerging initiatives, and strategic opportunities identified by the Dean/CEO.
    About Us

    Kansas State University's Olathe campus was launched in April 2011 and is the newest campus in the university's system. The campus is located in Johnson County and the Greater Kansas City metro area. The campus is a strategic partner of the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle, which was created in 2008 when residents invested in the county's future by voting for a one-eighth cent sales tax. The proceeds from this tax generate more than $20 million a year to fund higher education through a unique partnership among Johnson County, the University of Kansas, and Kansas State University.

    K-State Olathe provides a unique work culture that offers a variety of professional development opportunities and a community building committee to organize campus wide activities that have included social gatherings, service opportunities, and team building workshops. Professional development opportunities on campus and in the community that employees regularly participate in, employee tuition assistance for academic programs, on campus lunch and learns, professional development workshops on campus, Leadership Olathe, various regional Chamber activities.
    Worksite Description

    This position is Hybrid eligible. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of three on-site days per week; however, we require the first 90 days to be 100% on-site to allow for training and onboarding. A formal remote work agreement between the employee and supervisor is required for all flexible work arrangements and is subject to periodic review.

    All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.
    What You'll Need to Succeed

    Minimum Qualifications:

  • Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent)
  • Nine years of relevant experience
  • Requirements may be met through a combination of education and experience.
  • Valid driver's license

    Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's or higher
  • Excellent writing and communication skills with a focus on business communications as evidenced by application materials.
  • Demonstrated experience building relationships with industry, government, and community partners.
  • Experience working in a complex organization with multiple stakeholders across both internal and external clients.
  • Experience in higher education, public institutions, or economic development environments.
  • Proven ability to secure partnerships, expand accounts, or support revenue-generating initiatives including financial forecasting and budgeting related to project viability
  • Strong presentation and executive communication skills
  • Experience engaging with elected officials and public-sector organizations
  • CRM proficiency for tracking pipeline and partner engagement
  • Strong administrative or team leadership experience
  • Attention to detail
  • Proven ability to execute multiple projects and meet tight deadlines

    Additional Role Information:

  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
  • This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of three on-site days per week after 90 days.
  • Must be able to work some nights and weekends as needed to support events, conferences, legislative activities, and industry or community engagements.
  • Travel between K-State campuses in Olathe, Manhattan and Salina as well as within the greater Kansas City region as needed. Occasional state and national travel. A valid motor vehicle operator's license with an acceptable driving record required as well as the ability to travel by air.

    Sponsorship eligibility:

  • Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.
    How to Apply

    Please submit the following documents:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Three (3) professional references
    Application Window

    Applications close on: April 10, 2026
    Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

    $100,000- $117,000


    To apply, please visit: https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/dir-iv-adm-managerial-olathe-kansas-united-states







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    Job Posting: 13525784

    Posted On: Mar 20, 2026

    Updated On: Mar 20, 2026