Department Code
11002-4418
Job Title
Director of Academic Partnerships
Commitment to On-Campus Experience
Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range
$97,000 - $110,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Hours
Standard University business hours
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable
Job Description
Syracuse University is building something new. We’re launching SU Global to reimagine how we support and scale accessible online pathways for non-traditional learners, in a dynamic, innovative, and data-driven environment. That means rethinking how we work.
This role requires on-campus presence because the best ideas emerge from real-time collaboration, the mentorship that happens in hallways, and the spontaneous problem-solving that defines startup culture. You’ll work non-traditional hours when needed – evening and weekend coverage, whatever it takes to deliver the best-in-class experience.
We’re looking for team members who thrive in:
- High-energy, in-person environments where innovation happens face-to-face
- Flexible scheduling that follows student needs, not the clock
- Startup intensity within a world-class university structure
We’re not looking for people who want a job. We’re looking for builders who want a mission.
SU Global seeks a Director of Academic Partnerships to lead a dynamic team focused on delivering exceptional, premium-quality educational experiences to academic partners across the university. This role requires a strategic leader with significant experience in educational partnerships, creative content development, and team management. The Director oversees an academic partnership team model of Managers of Academic Partnerships who serve as dedicated account managers for assigned schools and colleges, ensuring seamless collaboration and high-quality, engaging deliverables that reflect Syracuse University’s brand standards.
The Director manages several academic partnership teams, each containing multimedia designers, video producers, instructional designers, and Managers of Academic Partnerships who serve as the primary interface with campus stakeholders. The Director may also directly oversee an academic partnership team of internal staff and/or external consultants working on high-priority or specialized programs, serving in a mentor/coach capacity. Additionally, the Director oversees a Quality Assurance team that ensures consistency and excellence across all academic partnership teams.
Education and Experience
Required:
- Master’s degree in Education, Instructional Design, Business Administration, or related field
- 7+ years of experience in educational partnerships, client relationship management, consulting or similar role in higher education
- Minimum 5 years of supervisory or senior leadership experience, preferably including creative or technical teams
- Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with creative components
- Knowledge of instructional design principles and educational technology
- Understanding of content development principles and quality standards for educational media
Preferred:
- Experience in university administration or academic affairs
- Background in online learning, educational media production, or creative content development
- Experience managing external consultants, creative agencies, or vendor relationships
- Experience with video production, visual storytelling, or multimedia content creation
- Project management certification (PMP, Agile, etc.)
- Experience with budget management and resource allocation
Skills and Knowledge
- Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage complex reporting relationships. Proven ability to lead diverse teams including creative, technical, and relationship management professionals
- Creative Vision: Understanding of visual storytelling, content quality standards, and premium educational media production
- Relationship Management: Excellence in building and maintaining partnerships with senior academic leaders
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long-term strategies and align initiatives with institutional goals
- Project Management: Strong organizational skills with ability to oversee multiple concurrent projects
- Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences, including creative direction and feedback
- Problem Solving: Ability to navigate complex challenges and find creative solutions
- Change Management: Experience leading organizational change and process improvement in creative environments
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Partnership Management – Develop and execute strategic plans for academic partnerships across the university, emphasizing innovative and engaging educational content delivery. Lead relationship building with deans, department heads, and senior academic leaders, positioning SU Global as a premium content partner. Establish creative vision and content standards across all partnerships. Oversee Managers of Academic Partnership teams in their role as dedicated account managers for assigned schools/colleges. Foster long-term partnerships that align with university goals and drive educational innovation through compelling visual storytelling and premium production values. Monitor partnership satisfaction and implement continuous improvement strategies for both relationship health and content quality.
- Team Leadership & Creative Direction – Hire, supervise, train, and mentor team comprised of various roles. Establish and maintain creative standards and visual storytelling approaches across all pods. Provide creative leadership and direction for premium educational content development. Guide faculty coaching strategies and on-camera presentation approaches. Collaborate with direct reports to set performance objectives focused on both relationship outcomes and creative excellence. Identify staffing needs and resource requirements for both technical and creative capabilities. Lead leadership team meetings and strategic planning sessions with emphasis on innovation and content quality. Support professional development in both relationship management and creative skills. Foster an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and creative risk-taking.
- Project & Quality Oversight – Oversee multiple complex creative and educational projects across all academic partnership teams simultaneously. May directly manage specialized internal staff and/or external consultant teams in mentor/coach capacity for high-priority programs. Ensure quality standards, brand consistency, and creative excellence across all partnership initiatives. Work with QA team to implement and maintain quality assurance processes that include both technical and creative standards. Monitor academic partnership team performance, creative output quality, and resource allocation. Coordinate cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing on best practices in visual storytelling and faculty engagement. Establish and maintain project management standards, creative workflows, and production best practices.
- Stakeholder Relations & Communication – Serve as primary liaison between SU Global and academic leadership. Present partnership updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership. Facilitate communication between teams and university stakeholders. Represent SU Global at university committees and strategic planning sessions. Manage escalated issues and complex partnership challenges.
- Innovation & Creative Excellence – Stay current with andragogical trends in higher education, digital learning, and creative content production. Identify opportunities for new services, innovative content approaches, and partnership models. Lead initiatives to improve both efficiency and creative quality. Research and implement best practices in visual storytelling, faculty coaching, and premium educational content development. Support university-wide strategic initiatives and special projects requiring creative expertise. Drive innovation in educational content delivery and production methodologies.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
