Specialist - Outreach-Fixed Term

Working/Functional Title

Director for Global Initiatives

Position Summary

The Director for Global Initiatives advances the Michigan State University Broad College of Business’s (Broad) mission, vision, and strategic priorities by fostering a global network of partnerships with universities, corporations, and government agencies. This role focuses on building sustainable, revenue-generating relationships that enhance the Broad’s reputation, visibility, and impact worldwide. The role is responsible for growing two distinct but strategically aligned academic portfolios internationally; one in graduate (Master’s) education, and the other in executive and professional development.

Essential Functions

Revenue Generation and Strategic Growth

• Proactively identifies and develops global partnerships that diversify income streams and drive sustainable financial growth for Broad.
• Establishes collaborations for executive development and graduate programs, international student pipelines, study immersions, short-term residencies, and other innovative engagement models that align with Broad’s mission and strategic goals.

Global Partnership Development

• Cultivates alliances with leading universities, corporations and government entities, for initiatives such as online programs, program extensions, conferences, immersions, and other joint initiatives.
• Develops programs like study immersions to bring students from university partners to MSU for short-term, intensive academic, professional, and cultural experiences, fostering global understanding and collaboration.
• Establishes international leadership workshops tailored for global executives, students, and emerging leaders, focusing on cross-cultural communication, global business strategies, and leadership development.
• Drives the creation of innovative program extensions and specializations in areas of Broad's subject matter expertise, such as leadership, cross-cultural team development, supply chain management, finance, or analytics, to enhance partner graduate programs and strengthen their global competitiveness.
• Supports Broad’s executive development partners to secure, maintain, and grow international training and distribution services partnerships for online and custom programs.  
• Partners with government entities to explore collaborations that deliver Broad’s specialist graduate programs through government sponsored and endorsed initiatives.

Relationship Management

• Builds and manages a strong portfolio of global relationships, ensuring alignment with MSU’s strategic priorities while fostering mutual value.

Market Intelligence and Strategic Alignment

• Maintains a deep understanding of international education market trends, regulations, business needs, and opportunities for collaboration across the corporate, government, and academic sectors in key regions and individual markets.
• Develops comprehensive business case for new unique and innovative opportunities to ensure that stakeholders are fully apprised of objectives, requirements, responsibilities and risks.
• Aligns faculty expertise with external partner needs to enhance MSU’s visibility and global impact.

Partnership Execution and Implementation

• Leads the negotiation and implementation of partnership agreements, ensuring seamless collaboration within Broad and across MSU colleges and departments to achieve partnership objectives.

Faculty Engagement and Coordination

• Works closely with faculty to identify and leverage opportunities for external partnerships that enhance research, teaching, and global engagement.

Communication and Promotion

• Collaborates with Broad and MSU international programs and partnerships teams, marketing teams, administrative teams, and senior leadership to promote partnerships, utilizing various platforms to maximize visibility and impact.

Reporting

• The role reports to the Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs within the Broad College of Business.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters

Minimum Requirements

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

• Master’s degree.
• Minimum of 10 years in roles focused on international business development, higher education partnerships and programs, online learning, international education program strategy, account management, market development, corporate training partnerships and programs.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience working with universities and colleges, including an ability to navigate the complexity of university administration and academic departments.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging, closing and growing new business with university, corporate and government leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships with university faculty that help produce and deliver high quality education programs and experiences. 
• Demonstrated experience in senior leadership positions with a proven track record of successful relationship management and partnership development.
• Extensive experience working in key markets including SE Asia, India, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with a significant network of senior contacts, especially within higher education.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Communications

• Superior ability to articulate ideas and strategies to senior leaders and executives, coupled with strong presentation and public speaking skills.

Strategy

• Deep understanding of business strategies, market dynamics, and the ability to align partnership opportunities with strategic goals.

Interpersonal Skills

• Outstanding skills in building and maintaining relationships, with a professional demeanor and the ability to engage effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

Cross-Cultural Skills

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively across international geographies and cultures, understanding and respecting customs and practices in business and social settings.  

Organizational Skills

• Demonstrates superior organizational skills coupled with a high degree of self-motivation, capacity to work autonomously, and manage tasks with meticulous attention to detail.

Stakeholder Engagement Capabilities

• Employs a collegial and inclusive approach to facilitate productive interactions, driving collective efforts towards achieving desired outcomes.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred Knowledge and Experience

• Solid working knowledge and understanding of key fields of study at Broad, including supply chain management, business analytics, leadership and management, and marketing research.

Required Application Materials

• CV 
• Cover Letter
• 3 Professional References 

Review of Applications Begins On

03/03/2025

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://broad.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.