Higher Education Jobs
Director of Outreach & Partnerships
Tampa, FL
Reports To: Vice President of Growth & Strategy
Position Type: Full Time, Salary
Travel Required: Moderate travel, up to 40%
Company Summary
Swim Digital Group is a higher education consulting firm that partners with
colleges and universities to improve how they attract, enroll, and retain students.
We believe higher education transforms lives—and we’re committed to helping
institutions serve students more effectively, especially those from historically
marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds.
As Swim continues to grow, we’re seeking a Director of Outreach & Partnerships
to expand our network of institutional partners. This is a mid-career opportunity
for a motivated and mission-aligned relationship builder who thrives on
connecting strategy with outcomes. You’ll work closely with prospective college
clients, learn about their needs, and design partnership solutions that support
real student success.
Position Summary
The Director of Outreach & Partnerships leads the relationship development and
sales process for new institutional partners. This role is responsible for
identifying strong-fit prospects, conducting discovery, shaping customized
proposals, and closing deals that support both institutional goals and Swim’s
mission.
You’ll represent Swim at conferences, trade shows, and industry events—building
trust with campus leaders and surfacing ways our work can support
transformation. You’ll also follow up on marketing-generated leads and
collaborate closely with internal teammates to scope and deliver clear, aligned
proposals.
Once a partnership is confirmed, you’ll hand off the engagement to the Director
of Research & Productivity, who leads onboarding and environmental analysis.
Your role ensures that every partnership begins with clarity, enthusiasm, and
strong strategic fit.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Business Development & Outreach
● Identify and qualify new partnership opportunities through conferences,
trade shows, and industry engagement
● Conduct thoughtful, strategic follow-up on inbound leads and campaign
responses
● Maintain up-to-date records of outreach, engagement, and pipeline status
● Prioritize outreach to institutions aligned with Swim’s mission—especially
community and technical colleges, HBCUs, and MSIs
● Represent Swim’s brand, values, and impact story across all outreach
efforts
Partnership Discovery & Sales
● Lead discovery calls with institutional leaders to understand goals,
challenges, and transformation readiness
● Facilitate conversations that center on student access, institutional
outcomes, and strategic alignment
● Collaborate with the VP of Growth & Strategy to shape the vision and
scope of partnership opportunities
● Draft compelling, well-aligned proposals based on client needs and Swim’s
service offerings
● Partner with the Chief of Staff on pricing and capacity modeling when
needed
● Own the sales process from qualification through contract execution
Internal Collaboration & Handoff
● Work closely with the Director of Research & Productivity to ensure
smooth transitions into onboarding and environmental analysis
● Maintain clear documentation of client context, expectations, and early
insights
● Collaborate with internal team members to identify trends in institutional
needs and partnership design
● Contribute insights from the field to help shape Swim’s future offerings
and messaging
Sales Operations & Pipeline Management
● Track leads, opportunities, and closed-won deals using internal tools (e.g.,
CRM)
● Monitor deal flow and performance against quarterly goals
● Share regular updates with the VP and executive team on sales activity,
conversations, and upcoming partnerships
● Support continuous improvement in Swim’s sales systems, messages, and
approach
Qualifications & Skills
● 4–6 years of experience in higher education, partnerships, business
development, or mission-driven sales
● Strong relationship-building and communication skills across diverse
stakeholders
● Comfort facilitating strategic conversations and proposing tailored
solutions
● Experience drafting proposals, scopes of work, or partner
communications
● Ability to manage a sales pipeline and deliver results with consistency and
integrity
● Mission-aligned mindset with an understanding of student access,
enrollment strategy, or institutional transformation
● Strong writing, presentation, and organizational skills
Familiarity with Google Suite, CRM tools, and sales tracking platforms
Tone & Culture Fit
You are curious, people-centered, and confident in your ability to connect
institutional needs with solutions that matter. You’re energized by good
conversation and driven by impact—not just metrics. You ask great questions,
follow up with clarity, and close deals with care. You thrive in collaborative
environments where ownership and purpose go hand in hand.
Benefits
● Flexible and primarily remote work environment
● Full benefits offered (medical, 401(k), dental and vision, retirement, etc.)
● Long-term disability, short-term disability, and other supplemental
insurance plans
● Supportive work environment with a strongly mission-based culture
● Generous leave and holiday schedule
813.225.1010 | info@swimdigitalgroup.com
5701 E. Hillsborough Ave, Suite 1160
Tampa, FL 33610
