Trinity seeks a Director of Business and Non-Profit Partnerships to lead the institution in a vital phase of a transformational strategy to reshape the vocational formation and economic well-being experienced by undergraduate and graduate students across all academic departments.

As part of a comprehensive strategy to re-work the economic foundations of higher education, to create time and space for earlier vocational engagement for students, and to build an ecosystem of mutual benefit between partners and the institution, Trinity is seeking a driven leader who can step into a context of change and opportunity. The Director of Business and Non-Profit partnerships will guide institutional strategy and practice in service of building out a network of paid internship and co-op learning opportunities that (1) offer meaningful vocational access for students, (2) serve to solve stubborn challenges around student debt and the cost of higher education, and (3) that serve the needs of employers who are seeking earlier access to talent and potential employees.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to network and create partnerships, along with the ability to create the operational and logistical supports for partner onboarding and relationship maintenance. The Director will work with a small team that is tasked with guiding student formation and institutional vision around vocation and will be the institutional leader for innovative internship and co-op opportunities. The Director should have capacity to envision their work as part of a Christian institution that sees the connection to the wider business and non-profit community as an act of service and mutuality that is of benefit to students, businesses, the college, and our region.

The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to the following:

Key Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the senior leadership team of the college, set strategy and direction for strategic partnerships and Trinity’s new model for high-impact paid internships.
• Cultivate a wide and deep network of business and non-profit partners who are motivated to participate in a transformed approach to the relationship between colleges and employers.
• Build systems for easy on-boarding of new partners.
• Create and execute relationship management opportunities for partners.
• Creatively work to offer partnership packages that include internship and co-op placement, employee access to Trinity adult undergraduate and graduate programs, and other opportunities that seek the good of partners.
• Work with faculty and staff to leverage existing partnerships and alumni networks as a pathway toward pipeline development.
• Work with academic departments to tailor access points and systems to accelerate student engagement in paid and credit-bearing internships and co-op opportunities.
• Partner, as needed, with philanthropic endeavors within the college.

Success in this role:

• List number 1A successful Director of Business and Non-Profit partnerships will have established Trinity as the most meaningfully networked educational institution in the Greater Chicago area.
• A successful Director of Business and Non-Profit partnerships will have transformed the economic equation for students by creating pathways for paid internship that help solve the problem of college debt.
• A successful Director of Business and Non-Profit partnerships will extend Trinity’s brand awareness within the ecosystem of organizations in the Greater Chicago area and beyond.

Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred, 5 years of relevant experience. Strong computer skills and contact database management preferred. High level of complexity while establishing effective relationships with both external and internal contacts and furthering the mission and current initiatives of Trinity Christian College. This role requires focused work with existing external contacts, building new relationships through networking, and the ability to create partnerships of mutual benefit.

Trinity Christian College seeks candidates that have a personal faith and commitment to Jesus Christ, and a sincere allegiance to the mission of the college.

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following during the online application process:

Trinity welcomes a response from diverse candidates. EOE

Required

Preferred