We are seeking a Business Developer, Education & Workforce Innovation to be the founding member of our outreach and partnerships team. In this role, you will research, assess, and develop opportunities with high schools/districts nationwide to earn dual college-level credit in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and skilled trades courses via our Dunwoody Immersive initiative.

This position combines strategic market analysis, policy and legal research, and relationship building within secondary and post-secondary school markets. This position will investigate state-by-state laws, regulations, and funding models related to dual-credit and early college programs, identify the most promising regions for growth, and recommend a phased expansion plan.

This position will develop strong partnerships with high schools, targeted community colleges and education agencies, ensuring alignment with state requirements and community needs. While beginning as a solo contributor, the position will lay the groundwork for a national outreach strategy, eventually selecting, training, and leading a high- performing team to execute the vision.

Unlike traditional sales roles, this position is mission-driven within a nonprofit context. You will receive a competitive salary while directly advancing our mission to expand access to high-quality, career-focused education for students across the country.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Analysis

• Conduct detailed reviews of state laws, regulations, and accreditation requirements related to dual-credit and
• CTE programs by State/Region.
• Monitor trends, funding mechanisms, grant opportunities, and political or environmental factors that could impact program adoption.
• Develop comparative market analysis to identify high-opportunity territories.

Strategic Planning and Territory Development

• Recommend priority states and districts based on legal feasibility, funding potential, and alignment with Dunwoody’s mission.
• Create phased expansion roadmaps with measurable milestones for growth.

Partnership Development

• Build and sustain relationships with school administrators, high school leaders, community college partners, and state education agencies.
• Facilitate partnerships between high schools and community college partners by providing comprehensive articulation agreements and transfer guides.
• Represent Dunwoody at education conferences, policy forums, industry meetings and community events. Program Implementation and Support

Program Implementation and Support

• Collaborate with academic, technology, and operations teams to ensure smooth onboarding and support for partner schools.
• Create toolkits, resources, and onboarding processes for partners in compliance with local regulations.

Continuous Product Improvement

• Collaborate cross-functionally with curriculum, instructional design, and support teams by sharing real-time feedback from school districts, contributing to iterative product improvements and training materials.
• Represent the voice of the school district in internal strategy discussions, ensuring our offerings evolve in response to educator challenges and classroom realities. 
• Establish and maintain metrics to track outreach, adoption, and student participation. ·
• Present regular reports and policy updates to leadership.
• Provide feedback to refine course offerings and strengthen engagement strategies.

Team Building and Leadership

• Develop the framework for future staffing needs. 
• Recruit, hire, and manage a team to support regional and national growth.

• 5+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, education outreach, or related roles.
• Demonstrated experience researching/interpreting state/federal education policy, regulations, or accreditation requirements
• Proven ability to analyze market conditions and competitive landscapes to develop strategic recommendations
• Track record of building and sustaining partnerships with multiple stakeholders, internal and external
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to align the priorities of diverse partners
• Highly organized and research-oriented, comfortable with establishing and building resources around territories as well as adhering to various state guidelines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings and proposals to stakeholders and leaders in an engaging compelling manner
• Entrepreneurial mindset—comfortable being the first hire on a new initiative and working independently in an evolving environment
• Passion for increasing access, educational equity, and expanding CTE opportunities.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms, policy research databases, and data visualization tools
• Ability to travel within Minnesota and nationally (up to 40% during expansion phases)

About Dunwoody College of Technology

Founded in 1914, Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, not-for-profit, endowed institution of higher education. It is one of the few institutions of its kind in the nation, and has been a champion of applied education throughout its history. Its mission is to provide students with a high-quality technical education that result in an immediate job and a fulfilling career.Located in the Lowry Hill neighborhood next to downtown Minneapolis, Dunwoody College offers bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in a variety of technical fields. The College maintains strong ties to local business and industry and values a diverse faculty, support staff, and student body and their unique contributions to an inclusive Dunwoody community. As articulated by our founder William Hood Dunwoody, the College's vision is to provide "for all time" a place where people of diverse backgrounds receive learning opportunities that prepare them for "the better performance of life's duties."

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