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Associate Vice President for University Partnerships

Verto is on a mission to provide the best possible start to college for traditional students. We begin by making travel and experiential education a core part of every student’s first year. Our participants start college overseas in one of five Verto locations and take fully accredited, in-person classes from our Academic Provider, the University of New Haven. After completing 1-3 semesters with Verto, participants seamlessly transfer to one of 50+ partner universities in the United States. Along the way, participants become more mature, empathetic global citizens who have a greater sense of purpose and direction for their lives.

At Verto, we’re creating a different model. We’re driving the costs down and acceptance rates up. We connect participants to the world and give them a chance to discover who they are before making them choose a major. We’re out to build a transformational company that makes higher education more accessible and impactful. We are backed by First Round Capital and other top VCs.

Position Description

The Associate Vice President for University Partnerships (AVPUP) provides strategic leadership and sets the vision for the development, significant growth, and execution of university partnerships to advance the organization’s mission and ambitious growth objectives. Accountable for the strategic health, long-term sustainability, and significant expansion of mutually beneficial partner relationships, this role directly drives substantial increases in enrollment, enhances brand awareness, and expands pathways for Verto participants through proactive innovation and the strategic evolution of the Channel and Direct Transfer Programs.

As a key senior leader, the AVPUP empowers and oversees teams in developing sophisticated, data-driven partnership strategies that drive growth in enrollment. This leader will champion strategic, high-impact program and pathway opportunities, both internationally and domestically, orchestrate impactful, multi-channel recruitment marketing initiatives, and establish robust, scalable processes to address complex partner needs and optimize partnership performance. A critical responsibility is the rigorous measurement, in-depth analysis, and strategic optimization of quantifiable partnership outcomes to maximize long-term mutual ROI and ensure alignment with Verto's overarching mission and strategic objectives.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President (SVP) for University Partnerships & Strategy, the AVPUP will be a highly respected and influential higher education leader with a proven track record of exceeding ambitious goals within complex and evolving enrollment landscapes. This leader will possess exceptional strategic acumen, a proven ability to build and scale impactful partnerships, and the executive presence to effectively represent Verto with senior leaders at prospective and partner institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Growth: Define and lead the overarching strategic planning and execution for Channel and Direct Transfer Programs to achieve ambitious and sustainable enrollment growth targets. Proactively identify and address systemic and emerging trends impacting the broader partner ecosystem to inform strategic growth initiatives.
• Talent Development: Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team of directors and managers across Channel and Direct Transfer programs, fostering a culture of innovation, strategic thinking, and accountability aligned with Verto’s mission. Build organizational capacity, mentor and cultivate future leaders within the University Partnerships team.
• Partner Relationship Management: Oversee the cultivation of strong, trusting relationships with Channel and Direct Transfer partners, ensuring their success and ROI. Proactively address partner concerns and ensure organizational alignment to maximize mutual partnership value.
• Partner Enrollment Projections: Collaborate with SVP, Revenue Operations, and Enrollment to accurately forecast enrollment and student matriculation by partner.
• Partner Matriculation Optimization: Work with UP Operations and Student Success to continuously improve post-Verto matriculation processes, both enhancing partner engagement opportunities with students and enrollment outcomes.
• Performance Measurement & Analysis: Proactively measure, analyze, and report on the quantifiable outcomes of each partner pathway. Utilize data to continuously enhance and improve partner relationships and inform product and technical enhancements.
• Partnership Development & Market Expansion: Support the proactive identification, cultivation, and negotiation of strategic, high-impact partnerships that significantly expand Verto’s market reach, enhance brand prestige, and create new opportunities for student pathways.
• Internal Collaboration & Influence: Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships across the organization to ensure seamless alignment and execution of partnership strategies across all relevant functions. Serve as a key strategic advisor and advocate for UP within the organization.
• Operational Excellence & Scalability: Design and implement scalable operational infrastructure and standards across the Channel and Direct Transfer teams to support rapid growth, ensure consistent, high-quality partner experiences, and maximize efficiency.
• Communication & Advocacy: Regularly communicate high-level partner insights, concerns, industry trends, and actionable feedback to the SVP, UP Leadership Team, VP for Enrollment, and the broader Executive Leadership Team members. Advocate for partner needs with key internal stakeholders.
• Training & Resource Development: Provide strategic direction for the development of training resources and programs to ensure the team is equipped to execute on strategic objectives and build long-term partner success.
• External Engagement & Brand Elevation: Engage with Chief Admission and Enrollment Officers and other senior campus leaders (virtually and in person) to strategically elevate Verto’s brand, drive significant enrollment growth, and cultivate strategic, long-term partnerships.
• Extensive Travel: Meet regularly with current and prospective partners. Travel expectations includes but is not limited to: Leading and accompanying UP staff to conduct in-person annual strategic planning meetings with current partners; 2-4 international trips annually to visit program locations hosting current and prospective partners, annual partner summit, and for organization-wide trainings; and attend key enrollment-related conferences (e.g., College Board Forum, NACAC, AACRAO SEM, etc.).

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Strategic Thinker: You can plot the chess moves 18 months ahead of time and develop a credible plan to deliver amazing value to our students and partners.
• Influential communicator: You are a thoughtful communicator who can sell ideas, gather resources, and rally stakeholders.
• Strong Executor: You value getting things done and hitting deadlines. You have a track record of delivering under pressure.
• Humble Collaborator: You bring kindness and empathy to your working relationships and put the team’s success before your own.
• Mission-Driven: You deeply believe that education has the power to transform lives and you want to give more young people a chance to thrive.
  
  

Requirements and Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of leadership experience working in higher education, including direct experience and expertise in admission and enrollment management. An advanced degree is preferred.
• A track record of successfully leading complex initiatives through effective team management, with a strong commitment to coaching and mentoring direct reports to achieve their full potential and contribute to the organizational mission and goals.
• Ability to work 100% remotely; Must be based in the US, and work on a time zone 1 hour +/- those in the continental US. (Example: GMT -8 through GMT -3).
• Demonstrated ability in big-picture strategic thinking with strong execution skills.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams in a remote environment.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.
• A significant and established network across enrollment management and higher education.
• Ability to navigate a fast-growing and complex organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Passion for building and expanding mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Proficiency in productivity and CRM tools, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite, project management software (e.g., Asana), and customer relationship management systems (e.g., Salesforce, Slate) to effectively manage partnerships, track progress, and analyze data.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% annually, with potential for higher travel during peak partner engagement periods, approximately 75% travel during those periods.

At Verto Education we value voices of all backgrounds and experiences. We know that creating a diverse environment takes dedication and intentional hiring practices. Even if you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications, you should still seriously consider applying. Studies show that you can still be considered for a role if you meet just 50% of the role’s requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• 100% remote first organization
• Unlimited vacation and sick time
• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• Fully funded Short and Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Stock Equity for every employee
• 401K