Business Development and Partnership Manager
ID: 001347SR
JOB FUNCTION: General Administration
LOCATION: Boston
WORK FORMAT: Hybrid
JOB TYPE: Full-time
BRAND: Harvard Business School
Company Description
About Harvard Business School (HBS) Foundry:
HBS Foundry is a new innovative digital learning platform designed to empower entrepreneurs globally by providing access to world-class resources, tools, and knowledge. Our mission is to democratize entrepreneurship education, enabling founders to launch and scale impactful ventures. Through adaptive learning pathways, AI tools, and a supportive community, HBS Foundry equips entrepreneurs with the skills they need to succeed.
Why Join HBS Foundry?
- Impactful Work: Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global entrepreneurship education. Your contributions will directly empower entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to launch and scale impactful ventures, driving real-world change.
- Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward-thinking team working with cutting-edge technologies such as AI and interactive simulations to design transformative learning experiences that push the boundaries of digital education.
- Professional Growth: Engage in continuous learning, with opportunities for professional development and career advancement in a mission-driven organization committed to innovation and excellence.
- Collaborative Culture: Thrive in a supportive, inclusive team environment where your ideas and creativity are valued and essential in driving our shared vision forward.
Job Description
We are seeking a resourceful and globally minded Business Development & Partnerships Manager to lead and manage strategic partnerships for HBS Foundry. Reporting to the Senior Director, this role will focus on partnership outreach, coordination, and relationship management. The ideal candidate will possess a strategic view of business development, a strong ability to navigate U.S.-based and global environments, identify potential partners, and lead relationships that align with HBS Foundry’s mission to empower entrepreneurs worldwide. This role is pivotal in expanding HBS Foundry’s global network and ensuring long-term, valuable collaborations.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
- Strategic Partnership Leadership: Drive the execution of HBS Foundry’s partnership strategy by owning outreach plans, managing high-level communications, and leading follow-through with prospective and current partners.
- Outreach Strategy & Execution: Spearhead proactive outreach initiatives by identifying and engaging with potential partners across key markets. Collaborate with faculty, alumni, and senior executive stakeholders to shape strategic engagement approaches.
- Executive Relationship Management: Own and nurture senior-level partner relationships, ensuring consistent communication, seamless meeting coordination, and delivery of high-impact partnership outcomes.
- Team Oversight & Process Leadership: Guide and support business development coordinators and relationship managers by leading partnership protocols and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Collaborate with the Senior Director to continuously optimize team workflows and partner engagement practices.
- Event and Stakeholder Alignment: Lead partnership efforts related to event sponsorships, affiliate organizations, and external collaborators. Ensure all external engagements align with HBS Foundry’s brand and strategic objectives.
- Performance Tracking & Strategic Reporting: Oversee partnership performance tracking, ensuring regular reporting on engagement levels and outcomes. Synthesize insights into strategic reports for internal leadership to inform decision-making.
- Market Intelligence & Opportunity Scouting: Lead market research and competitive landscape analyses to uncover emerging partnership opportunities - particularly in high-growth global markets.
- Cross-Functional Integration: Serve as a key liaison across internal teams - including content, product, and marketing - to integrate partnerships into platform strategy, communications, and user experiences.
Time Allocation Breakdown:
- Partnership Leadership and outreach: 40%: Lead outreach efforts and maintain communication with potential and existing partners to drive partnership growth, with a focus on emerging markets.
- Lead, Support and Maintain Partnerships: 30%: Conduct research to identify potential partners across diverse markets, and work with faculty, alumni, and other relationships to define outreach strategies and approaches.
- Support Senior Director in overseeing relationship managers 15%: Ensure processes and protocols are followed to foster win-win collaborations.
- Tracking & Reporting 10%: Oversee the monitoring of partnership activities and track key performance metrics. Assist in preparing detailed reports for internal stakeholders to evaluate partnership effectiveness.
- Market Research: 5% Perform market research and competitor analysis to identify new partnership opportunities, with attention to high-potential global markets.
This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required
- 5-7 years of experience in business development, partnerships, or a similar role is required, ideally within the education, entrepreneurship, or technology sectors.
- Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM tools (e.g., AirTable, Salesforce, HubSpot) for managing partner relationships and tracking activities.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience developing and managing partnerships in emerging markets, particularly in regions such as India or South Africa, is highly desirable.
- Communication & Organizational Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong organizational abilities to manage multiple relationships, projects, and deadlines effectively
- Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product, and content teams, and coordinate tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive and adaptable approach to overcoming challenges and seizing new opportunities in partnership development.
Additional Information
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
- Appointment End Date: This position is approved as a term appointment with an end date of 06/30/27. There is a possibility of renewal/extension.
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
- Other Information:
This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role
A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. In your cover letter, please highlight your experience in business development or partnerships and how it aligns with the mission of HBS Foundry.
Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore more about HBS work culture here https://www.hbs.edu/employment
Work Format Details
This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit? Harvard's Salary Ranges? to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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