Job description
If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
Pay Range: $82,700.00 - $124,000.00
What You’ll Do
- Develop and maintain relationships with employers, community organizations, government entities, and key local leaders
- Grow brand visibility through community engagement, partnerships, networking, and public speaking
- Build and execute a regional strategy leveraging partnerships, market insights, and community needs
- Lead and manage regional operations, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy and performance goals
- Track, maintain, and analyze regional data to support decision-making and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs)
- Develop and implement initiatives that improve operational efficiency and service delivery
- Foster strong collaboration across internal teams and cross-functional stakeholders
What You’ll Bring
- 5+ years of experience in business development
- Bachelor’s degree
- Proven track record of operational success and year-over-year growth within a business or education environment
- Strong enterprise, community, and government networks and partnerships are required
- Demonstrated ability to manage large, complex projects independently
- Strong communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences
- Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working across marketing and communications disciplines, including brand, PR, digital, and field marketing
- High level of adaptability, initiative, and accountability with a results-driven mindset
Bonus Points
- Experience operating in a complex, matrixed or disaggregated organization
- Background in higher education, workforce development, or regional partnerships
- Experience presenting to external stakeholders, partners, or at conferences
Experience in Lieu of Education
An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
What to Expect
At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration.
We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.
We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.
- Introductory call
- Hiring manager virtual interview
- VP virtual interview
- Onsite final interview
Work Location
This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Burr Ridge, IL office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.
Visa Sponsorship
While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Travel Requirement
This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.
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Additional Information
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
- Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.
- Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
- Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.