Job Summary:
Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer of Alvernia University, the “Commercialization Strategist” serves in an executive leadership capacity responsible for driving strategic growth, commercialization strategy and market acceptance, partnership development, revenue growth and diversification, and geographic expansion for Total Experience Learning® (TExpL®).
This position leads the development and execution of a comprehensive commercialization and expansion strategy, including district site development, corporate and university partnerships, alumni network activation, pricing strategy, sustainability planning, marketing activities, thought architect, and national scaling efforts. The Business Development Strategist works closely with executive leadership to align growth initiatives with the mission, academic integrity, and long-term strategic objectives of Alvernia University.
The role requires entrepreneurial vision, strategic negotiation expertise, financial modeling capability, and the ability to operationalize scalable systems that position TExpL for sustained regional and national growth.
Essential Functions:
Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the University as demonstrated by the University Ideal Characteristics. As we are an equal opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values, all employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the performance of their roles while demonstrating service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountability.
Strategic Commercialization Leadership
• Develop and implement a comprehensive business development and commercialization strategy for TExpL.
• Identify and prioritize regional and national expansion opportunities.
• Design a replicable site expansion model aligned with academic and operational excellence.
• Align commercialization initiatives with institutional and executive leadership priorities.
• Build / lead sales organization commensurate with growth
Geographic Expansion & Site Development
• Lead development of new TExpL sites in priority markets, including expansion strategies such as the Denver model.
• Cultivate relationships with superintendents, school administrators, intermediate units, and
community partners.
• Structure and negotiate contracts for graduate certificate cohorts, professional development
programs, and related offerings.
• Identify ideal site characteristics and long-term funding strategies.
• Coordinate enrollment planning, assessment development, and operational readiness for new sites.
Corporate & Strategic Partnership Development
• Expand corporate-funded site models and manage second-site development initiatives
• Identify and cultivate new corporate and industry partners aligned with TExpL’s mission.
• Evaluate and negotiate partnerships related to curriculum providers, education technology companies,
and AI-enabled collaboration platforms.
• Assess opportunities that strengthen program value without diluting core mission focus.
• Evaluate the feasibility of additional markets for the TExpL model (e.g., corporate training)
Alumni Network Growth Strategy
• Develop and implement a commercialization strategy leveraging TExpL alumni networks, including
identifying the network, developing an annual communication strategy, and working with the
Executive Director of Communications and External Relations to implement. The overall goal is to
utilize the alumni network to expand sales and commercialization opportunities.
• Create communication pipelines and partnership pathways to expand into new geographic regions.
• Replicate successful expansion models across multiple markets.
Revenue & Financial Strategy
• Develop pricing models and revenue projections for site expansion and partnership agreements.
• Diversify revenue streams across districts, corporate sponsors, and collaborative university
partnerships.
• Negotiate agreements and ensure revenue targets are met or exceeded.
• Contribute to long-term sustainability and scale planning.
Marketing, Positioning & Messaging
• Refine commercialization, messaging and growth positioning strategy.
• Collaborate on website and marketing campaign strategies aligned with expansion priorities.
• Partner with enrollment and outreach leadership to align growth with recruitment strategy.
Infrastructure, Systems & Sustainability
• Document business development processes to create scalable systems.
• Develop long-term sustainability plans for profitability, continuity, and replication.
• Identify staffing needs and scale infrastructure accordingly.
• Provide mentorship and leadership within the business development function.
Data, Assessment & Quality Assurance
• Collaborate with TExpL and ConvergEd, LLC academic and assessment leadership to establish
evaluation frameworks and data-sharing agreements for expansion sites.
• Ensure fidelity to the TExpL model and alignment with academic standards.
• Utilize data to inform growth decisions and strategic investments.
• Work with TExPL leadership to develop annual KPI metrics that measure critical indicators of progress
Additional Responsibilities:
• Represent TExpL and Alvernia University at national conferences, corporate meetings, and partnership
negotiations.
• Explore and evaluate university partnerships beyond Alvernia that support strategic accreditation or
academic integration goals
• Provide regular strategic growth updates to the Chief Innovation Officer.
• Collaborate across TExpL and university divisions to ensure cohesive growth execution.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Innovation Officer.
Qualifications/Education:
• Education
o Bachelors or Masters, Business Administration preferred
• Experience
o 10+ years’ experience successfully building / leading commercial organizations with
demonstrated growth of over $50M in sales over several years
o 5+ years' experience in a start-up environment, with demonstrated experience in scaling an
organization from a start-up to growth business mode
• Skills and Competencies
o Excellent written and verbal communication skills
o Proficiency in Microsoft business suite of software
o Proficiency in Sales Force or other CRM
Physical Requirements:
- Attendance is required in order to perform the duties of this job.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Some weekend and evening hours are necessary.
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Employee Benefits:
Join a team that values your well-being! We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family:
- Robust Health Coverage: Choose from three offered medical plans, plus dental and vision.
- Financial Security: Enjoy University-paid life/AD&D insurance and long-term disability, with options for short-term disability and supplemental coverage for you and your family (including accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans). Flexible spending accounts are also available.
- Exceptional Retirement: Start saving immediately with our 403(b) Retirement Plan. You'll get 100% immediate vesting, a University gift contribution, and a generous match up to 5% of your deferrals.
- Time Off & Flexibility: Take advantage of 18 paid holidays each year and the possibility of flexible or hybrid work options for many roles.
- Invest in Your Future: Enjoy tuition remission benefits for yourself and your dependents.
- On-Campus Wellness: Benefit-eligible employees on our main campus receive free access to our Medical & Counseling Center.
- Employee Meal Plan: This plan provides convenient, flexible dining options on campus at a reduced cost.