Business Development Manager

Milwaukee School Of Engineering - Milwaukee, WI

Full-time - Mid Level

Milwaukee, WI

Educational Services

About the position

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) invites applications for a full-time Business Development Manager to join our Center for Professional Education team. Under the direction of the Executive Director of Professional Education, the Business Development Manager plays a crucial role in leading and strategically guiding the development and growth of direct-to-employer, contract-based education, and training programs. Following a University-to-Business (U2B) model/approach, the Business Development Manager prospects and cultivates relationships with executive-level employers, identifies workforce development needs, formalizes service agreements, and collaborates with internal and external subject matter experts and Center support staff to design and implement targeted onsite training programs. Programs may address recognized workforce competency gaps, support new technology implementation, and/or advance workplace innovation. The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing program impact, ensuring positive outcomes, and establishing a system for continuous program and service improvement. The Business Development Manager will establish and maintain strong relationships with regional industry-based leaders, develop and lead the needs assessment process at the worksite in collaboration with industry contacts to assess and identify workforce development needs and solutions, and lead the development of ROI-driven service proposals. This role involves proposing, negotiating, closing, and executing training contracts to meet industry partner needs, collaborating with internal and external subject matter experts in the development and delivery of unique and timely solution-based training curriculum, and working with Center staff to coordinate logistics, instructional materials/resources, and other supports for seamless and high-quality program delivery. Additionally, the Business Development Manager will develop and implement assessment tools to measure the impact and effectiveness of training programs, ensure client satisfaction, analyze data and feedback to continually refine and enhance program offerings, and satisfy regular reporting as required. The role also includes monitoring, identifying opportunities, and applying for external grant funding from local, state, and federal sources, as well as assisting in the recruitment of new students in existing CPE public programs through interactions with corporate partners. Engaging with local, state, and regional business and workforce development offices and agencies to promote programs and services and connect clients with resources and technical assistance is also a key responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with regional industry-based leaders.
• Develop and lead the needs assessment process at the worksite in collaboration with industry contacts to assess and identify workforce development needs and solutions.
• Propose, negotiate, close, and execute training contracts to meet industry partner needs.
• Collaborate with internal and external subject matter experts in the development and delivery of unique and timely solution-based training curriculum.
• Work with Center staff to coordinate logistics, instructional materials/resources, and other supports for seamless and high-quality program delivery.
• Develop and implement assessment tools to measure the impact and effectiveness of training programs and ensure client satisfaction.
• Analyze data and feedback to continually refine and enhance program offerings to support continuous program improvement.
• Update and maintain the database of industry contacts, proposals, contracts, and fulfillment status.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and incorporate best practices in the field of contract and customized training.
• Monitor, identify opportunities, and apply for external grant funding from local, state, and federal sources.
• Satisfy established annual revenue goals for sales by growing/retaining existing corporate accounts and supporting and developing new accounts.
• Assist in the recruitment of new students in existing CPE public programs through interactions with corporate partners.
• Engage with local, state, and regional business and workforce development offices and agencies to promote programs and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, computer science, healthcare, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 1-3 years' experience in selling educational solutions within a university or similar setting.
• Strong understanding of workforce development needs across industry sectors.
• Familiarity with assessing training program impact and implementing continuous improvement strategies.

Nice-to-haves

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with executive-level employers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in the use and application of computer systems and software programs including databases, spreadsheets, and word processing software.
• Demonstrated professional presence and maturity in dealing with a variety of audiences, external and internal to the university.
• Demonstrated experience providing excellent customer service to others.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively on a high-performance team.
• Ability to prioritize multiple work tasks, meet deadlines, and exercise adaptability to changing priorities.
• Proven experience in grant writing and administration.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including base pay; PTO; 13 paid staff holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance plans; 403(b) retirement plan.