Director of Strategic Partnerships

Employer: Christopher Newport University

Location: Newport News, Virginia

Salary: Starting at $89,000, Commensurate with Education and Experience.

Date posted: Dec 11, 2025

Position Type: Administrative, Academic Affairs, Institutional Research & Planning, Business & Administrative Affairs, Development & Advancement, Jobs Outside Academe, Government, Economic & Business Development

Employment Level: Senior-Level

Employment Type: Full Time

Institution Type: Public Four-Year Institutions

Job Details

Chief Objective of Position

This position serves as a key partner to the Associate Vice President for External Relations and CNU’s senior leadership in cultivating partnerships that lead to increased University engagement across the Peninsula and the Hampton Roads region. The Director of Strategic Partnerships will conduct research, coordinate follow-up, and maintain comprehensive tracking of partnership opportunities across the University, ensuring timely communication, action, and sustained collaboration. The position will support government relations activities and serve as the University’s primary military affairs coordinator, developing and growing the University’s service to military personnel and their families across the region.

Work Tasks

External Partnerships and Economic Development

• Steward relationships with corporate, nonprofit, education, government and military partners throughout the Peninsula and Hampton Roads region to strengthen partnerships that advance shared economic and educational goals.
• Conduct research, coordinate follow-up, and maintain comprehensive tracking of partnership opportunities across the University ensuring timely communication, action and sustained collaboration.
• Serve as an ambassador for Christopher Newport University at local and regional meetings, conferences, and events to identify opportunities for the University to participate in or lead initiatives that align with its strategic priorities and mission including, but not limited to, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, Hampton Roads Alliance, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council.
• Partner with Academic Affairs, Advancement, and the Center for Career Planning to identify and develop educational programs that support regional and statewide workforce needs, ensuring Christopher Newport University offers responsive professional development opportunities. Collaborate with corporate and nonprofit partners to expand internships, research and grant funding, talent pipelines, and philanthropic support for students, faculty, and staff.

Government Relations and Military Affairs

• In coordination with the Associate Vice President of External Relations, cultivate and maintain relationships between the University and local and state government officials.
• Serve as CNU Military Affairs coordinator to grow CNU’s engagement with military communities across the Peninsula and Hampton Roads regions.
• Represent CNU at all Peninsula and Hampton Roads Chamber Military Affairs Committee meetings and the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance.
• Build and grow university relationships across the array of military bases (including NNS Shipyard) on the Peninsula and throughout the region to enhance student recruitment and
• Support Admission efforts to recruit active-duty and retired military service members and their families to attend CNU. In addition, support University Human Resources efforts to recruit veterans and their families to be employees of CNU. (i.e. DoD Skill bridge)

Other

• Other duties, as assigned.
• Develops a customer service approach to more effectively promote the “students first” initiative ensuring that all constituents are served in a fast, friendly, efficient and effective manner. Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees.
• Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Fully supports CNU Traditions and the “Students First” value at CNU and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service.
• This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
• Follow workplace safety regulations and adhere to applicable standards, processes, and programs established for your position.
• Immediately report unsafe work conditions and work-related incidents to your supervisor and participate in accident investigation requests.
• Report work-related incidents within 24 hours according to the procedures established by the university, state and federal guidelines.
• Promotes a safe and healthy work environment by ensuring the implementation of safety regulations and applicable standards, processes, and programs established for employees under your supervision.
• Ensures employees under supervision are trained in safety standards and procedures for their positions.
• Performs special project work and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) related to position

• Ability to lead, inspire and motivate people; to
• Perform complex tasks with competing deadlines; to
• Prioritize multiple projects and set and achieve goals; to
• Understand complex policies, financial processes, and solve complex problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate institutional goals into actionable strategies.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse constituencies to achieve institutional objectives.

Required Education

Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree and experience that equates to an advanced degree.

Experience Required

• Demonstrated success working with a combination of business and non-profit leaders, elected and appointed officials and government agencies.
• Experienced project manager, skilled at identifying opportunities, assessing situations, assembling multi-party initiatives, finding mutually beneficial areas for collaboration, and communicating to all stakeholders.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.

Additional Consideration - Experience

• Preferred candidates will have experience working in or with higher education institutions in areas such as external relations, government/military affairs or workforce development.
• Experience supporting military and veteran engagement initiatives, collaborating with regional economic development organizations, and securing grants or philanthropic support is highly desirable, along with a strong understanding of workforce needs and how universities can develop responsive programs.

CNU Information

Christopher Newport University is anchored in excellence, and that is reflected in our ranking as the #1 regional public university in Virginia and #3 among regional public universities in the South. We are an inclusive and kind community, founded on our shared values of honor, scholarship, service and leadership. We offer an outstanding liberal arts education provided by dedicated, gifted teacher-scholars who are supported by a compassionate team of faculty and staff. Our 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students pursue more than 90 areas of study, as they live and learn on a largely residential campus. CNU’s on-campus performing and visual arts centers offer Broadway shows, world-class performances, engaging exhibitions, transformative lectures and classes, and more. Our athletics program is the winningest at any level in Virginia.

Christopher Newport University is in the heart of Newport News, a vibrant city with breathtaking scenery and unique experiences. The city and region offer affordable neighborhoods, local and name-brand shops, diverse dining options, local parks and water access, and fun recreational opportunities. Whatever your interests and goals, you belong at CNU! For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit cnu.edu.