Director, Commercial

Risepoint is an education technology company that provides world-class support and trusted expertise to more than 100 universities and colleges. We primarily work with regional universities, helping them develop and grow their high-ROI, workforce-focused online degree programs in critical areas such as nursing, teaching, business, and public service. Risepoint is dedicated to increasing access to affordable education so that more students, especially working adults, can improve their careers and meet employer and community needs.

Risepoint assists primarily regional universities in increasing their access and impact by making their academic programs available to students online. Founded in 2007, Risepoint's mission is to expand access to high-quality, affordable, and workforce-relevant education, especially for working and adult students. Risepoint brings single-minded dedication to student success, an integrated set of services, and data-driven performance to our collaboration with university partners.

Reporting to the SVP of Commercial, the Director, Commercial will be an impact-oriented Commercial leader, and a key cross-functional collaborator and thought partner for Risepoint’s senior executives and functional leaders.  They will work with the Heads of Commercial, Strategy, Sales, Marketing, Product and Finance to develop and implement short and long-term strategies to optimize revenue and customer lifetime value in accordance with Risepoint’s strategic plan. Specifically, the Director will lead strategic and business initiatives related to growing priority offerings, as well as revenue stream and deal structure diversification.

The Director of Commercial will inform Risepoint’s growth aspirations by developing a differentiated understanding of key aspects of the market landscape, including competitive intelligence (e.g., tracking OPM peer contracts, pricing, and GTM motions), marketing intelligence (e.g., university and student funding dynamics), and refreshing our view of business development targets.  They will strengthen our GTM capabilities by evolving of our commercial offering to enable growth in new US markets, e.g., targeting new states, community colleges, and growth in high potential program areas.  Further, they will support the development of new GTM models, e.g., regional expansion for universities, and alternative deal structures such as build-operate-transfer, JVs, and consortia.

Additionally, the Director will provide leadership, guidance and coaching to Risepoint colleagues, inspiring a collaborative and collegial culture that is high performing and results focused.

Main Responsibilities:

• Developing differentiating market insight that includes the competitive landscape (key players, pricing, and potential disrupters); university and student funding landscape; and refined business development target framework.
• Developing go-to-market playbook to drive growth in Risepoint’s core US business, unlocking new states, new types of institutions (e.g., community colleges), and new program areas and product offerings (e.g., stackable credentials).
• Developing innovative GTM models to expand Risepoint’s addressable market, including build-operate-transfer, joint ventures, and consortia.

Job Requirements:

The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious, strategically minded, commercially-oriented, and highly collaborative. They will be a well-rounded experienced leader with the ability to lead strategic analyses as well as getting into the weeds of commercial negotiations, pricing, discounting and customer interactions. They will handle high pressure situations in a professional and balanced manner and will serve as a mentor, leader, and partner across the organization in a dynamic environment.

• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in Consulting, Strategy, and Commercial OR PE roles, including leading high-impact teams
• Proven track record of successfully scoping and delivering projects, building and leveraging appropriate processes and tools to drive commercial impact.
• Exceptional and well-rounded analytical skills – able to evaluate opportunities from strategic, commercial and operational perspectives (e.g., negotiation models, financial impact assessments)
• Exceptional leadership, management, and communication skills, with executive presence and demonstrated ability to influence cross functionally across all levels of an organization
• Experience and demonstrated success in the Higher Education and OPM sectors is highly desirable
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in commercial field is strongly preferred Management consulting or comparable experience (e.g., IB / PE) is strongly preferred

Risepoint is an equal-opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.