Overview and Responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The Account Manager supports the execution of strategic initiatives and provides partnership account management support for the Director of Strategic Partnerships. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Partnerships, this position works closely with current and prospective partners, members of the Enrollment Management unit, and other key internal stakeholders. The Account Manager builds and nurtures relationships with partners and serves internal and external teams by coordinating resources, programming, events, projects, meetings, and information with a partner experience consistent with the values and mission of the university.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Programming, Events, and Outreach (40%) 

• Provide outstanding customer service and communications with partners by phone, through email, and face-to-face to ensure all needs are met with a consistent partner experience.
• Represent the university online or at conferences, industry events, and Trusted Partner events and activities.
• Request and manage the need for admission personnel and tabling materials for conferences, industry events, and Trusted Partner events and activities.
• Build strong relationships to retain current partners, acquire new partners, and listen to discover ideas to deepen partnership connections and opportunities. 
• Collaborate and monitor internal departments to ensure all partner requests are fulfilled on time.
• Continuously track and look to improve internal and external processes. 
• Act as the Trusted Partner single point of contact (SPOC) to ensure all agreed upon expectations and deliverables are met with a focus on an improving consistent partner experience.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and provide solutions to maintain and improve partnership activities and partner experience. 

Partnership Program Oversight (35%)

• Maintain and monitor strategic plans, including progress, schedules, budgets, deliverables, contracts, and expenditures.
• Manage the unit’s CRM and Project Management software. 
• Organize, attend, and participate in stakeholder meetings as appropriate.
• Facilitate and manage the workflow of partner onboarding through the Trusted Partner Process.
• Develop and execute a consistent partner communication cadence. 
• Document and follow up on necessary actions and decisions from meetings.
• Prepare necessary itineraries, agendas, and presentation materials for meetings, partnership outreach activities, and events.
• Ensure projects adhere to established frameworks, document storage/retrieval, and reporting requirements.
• Apprise stakeholders as needed to promote engagement and agreement on project progress.

Reporting (10%)

• Create weekly and monthly reporting to document account management progress, outcomes, successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Design and track a reporting method outlining new Trusted Partnership agreements signed, partner contact cadence, partner activities, and the conversion rate of each Trusted Partner from agreement to actual number of student inquiries and enrollments. 
• Design and create a dashboard that houses all performance data.

Research (10%)

• Develop and execute a strategic retention and growth plan for every current and new partner account. 
• Research best practices, models, and collect, analyze data to improve the way we serve our trusted partners. 
• Research outreach opportunities to extend our Trusted Partner Program nationally, internationally, and within identified professions.

Performs other duties as assigned (5%)

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND FUNCTIONS

• Build and nurture relationships to deliver remarkable service within a consistent partner experience.
• Process-oriented account management and project management skills.
• Design appropriate marketing materials in collaboration with our Marketing and Communication team.
• Listen and collaborate with all partner's educational challenges and ideas to discover unique partnership opportunities. 
• Proactively coach partners through outreach activities and strategic marketing offerings.
• Exercise considerable discretion and maintain confidentiality about sensitive matters when carrying out responsibilities.
• High level of judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and professionalism
• Exceptional written, presentation, and verbal communication skills for various audiences.
• Clear, concise, informative writing and speaking skills.
• Comprehensive organizational skills and attention to project details, illustrations, and updates.
• Strong technical competency and working knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Qualtrics
• Develops and maintains good working relationships and communications at all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable working autonomously and with limited direction to a clear objective
• Observe safety guidelines and follow safety procedures established by the university. 
• Self-motivated with the ability to work effectively alone and within a team environment.
• Support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary’s University as a Lasallian Catholic university. 

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor's Degree in an appropriate field of study or equivalent work experience is required; a Master’s Degree is preferred. 
• Experience working in complex, highly matrixed, collaborative work environments is preferred.
• Must have a solid academic background and record of project management using clear work plans and precise communications. 
• Experience building, nurturing, and managing multiple relationships at the same time. 
• May consider other acceptable equivalent combinations of training and experience

Application Requirements

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.