What are the responsibilities and job description for the Graduate Partnership and Initiatives Strategist position at Concordia University Nebraska?
The primary responsibility of this position is to expand the top of the graduate enrollment funnel by helping to generate qualified prospective student leads and developing strategic relationships that support graduate enrollment growth. This is a critically important role accountable for measurable outreach, lead generation, partnership development, and contribution toward institutional enrollment goals.
This position serves as a primary relationship-builder for Graduate Programs, with particular emphasis on understanding and engaging The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) structure, culture, schools, churches, ministries, districts, and affiliated organizations, as well as the primary relationship-builder of other primary audiences. The position will identify and cultivate partnerships, assist in building referral and recruitment pipelines, represent Concordia University, Nebraska in external settings, and connect individuals and organizations with relevant graduate opportunities.
The position will also manage graduate outreach initiatives and special projects, collaborating closely with the Associate Vice President of Graduate Programs & Operations, Marketing, Program Directors, Recruitment, Alumni, Church Engagement, and other University departments. Qualified prospective students generated through outreach and partnership efforts will be connected with the appropriate recruitment and enrollment team members for continued support through the enrollment process.
1. Generate qualified graduate inquiries through strategic outreach, networking, events, presentations, referrals, partnerships, and other lead-generation activities.
2. Assist in establishing individual lead-generation, outreach, partnership, and pipeline goals that contribute to overall graduate enrollment targets.
3. Build and maintain relationships with LCMS schools, churches, districts, ministries, organizations, leaders, and other constituents to increase awareness of and engagement with Concordia's graduate programs.
4. Identify, develop, and maintain strategic partnerships with schools, churches, businesses, organizations, agencies, and community groups that create sustainable pipelines for graduate inquiries and applicants.
5. Develop a strong understanding of Concordia's graduate program portfolio and effectively connect prospective students and organizational partners with programs that align with their needs and goals.
6. Facilitate timely handoff of qualified prospective students to the appropriate recruitment or enrollment team member and maintain accurate outreach, relationship, and lead activity within the University's CRM (customer relationship management) system.
7. Represent Concordia University, Nebraska at conferences, conventions, professional organizations, ministry gatherings, recruitment events, information sessions, and other on- and off-campus opportunities.
8. Develop and deliver presentations and informational sessions for prospective students, organizational leaders, partners, alumni, and other constituents, as well as capture feedback and interest via Survey Monkey initiatives.
9. Manage graduate outreach initiatives and special projects from planning through implementation, coordinating timelines, stakeholders, communication, and deliverables.
10. Collaborate with Marketing, Church Engagement, Alumni, Program Directors, Recruitment, and other University departments to coordinate outreach efforts, identify new audiences, and strengthen graduate recruitment and partnership opportunities.
11. Identify and recommend opportunities for new partnerships, articulation agreements, organizational benefits, events, and other initiatives that support graduate enrollment growth.
12. Utilize outreach, lead-generation, and partnership data to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities, and inform future recruitment and engagement efforts.
13. Maintain knowledge of LCMS structure, culture, ministry context, and priorities to effectively build relationships and identify opportunities to serve LCMS constituents through graduate education.
14. Meet individual performance and team goals and proactively welcome professional development and a curious mindset.
15. Other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree required / Graduate degree preferred.
- Experience in recruitment, outreach, relationship development, sales, or a related field; higher education experience preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships, generate leads, and develop partnerships that contribute to organizational growth.
- Experience coordinating projects, events, surveys, or cross-functional initiatives from planning through implementation.
- Experience working within or alongside LCMS schools, churches, ministries, districts, or affiliated organizations preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work toward measurable goals in a performance-driven environment.
- Knowledge and experience utilizing multimedia, technology, and virtual platforms to promote graduate program interest and engagement.
- Ability to utilize data to inform outreach, recruitment, and partnership strategies and tactics.
- Knowledge of educational systems and processes, particularly those related to schools, administrators, educators, churches, and ministry organizations.
- Proficient in the use of technology and software applications, including CRM systems, Microsoft Office, Survey Monkey, virtual platforms, databases, and related applications.
- Excellent presentation, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage a variety of internal and external audiences.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, relationships, and priorities within established timelines.
- Understanding of relationship-based recruitment, sales disciplines, and customer service principles.
- Ability to communicate, build, and maintain professional relationships with a wide variety of internal and external constituents.
- Commitment to an environment of encouragement, teamwork, and excellence within a Christian university.
- Responsible for creating an environment that is consistent with the values of the University and fosters the development of students, staff, and faculty. This environment is one that is designed to build a positive character and foster Christian faith formation.
- Demonstrate character qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance, and punctuality.
- Able to work within a culture of teamwork with emotional stability and positive words/actions.
- Be professional and courteous in dealing with students, families, faculty and staff, and the general public.
- Values and beliefs aligned with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
- Ability and willingness to travel regionally and nationally, including occasional overnight and weekend travel.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive institutional and constituent information.
- Ability to maintain driver's certification for university-provided vehicles and University-related travel.
- Must follow security policies that correspond to the level of sensitivity of the data they handle.
- Should promptly report any security concerns or incidents to designated personnel.
- Maintain security and patching of personal devices connected to the institutional email.
- Maintain high standards for institutional, staff, faculty, employee, and financial data used for business operations.
Salary : $56,835 - $100,714