Higher Education Strategic Partnership Consultant

Start date: ASAP

Location: Miami-Fort Lauderdale; Tampa - St. Petersburg; Orlando - Kissimmee - Sanford

ABOUT BASTA

Since 2016, BASTA has worked with thousands of first-generation college students of color to launch their careers and change the face of leadership in the workforce, resulting in the country's best job placement outcomes. Through personalized AI-powered career planning, best-in-class coaching, and networking with top 100 employers, New York-based job seekers in BASTA’s Fellowship program find great jobs at nearly twice the rate of their peers. Our Powered By BASTA program is scaling this impact through game-changing analytics and online support that supercharges colleges’ career success programs so students nationwide can accelerate their professional journey.

SCOPE AND PROBLEM

American undergrads are facing a job market beset by systemic underemployment. The problem is especially severe for the nearly 5 million first-generation college students: only 44% of first-gen students of color land a job that requires their degree, and only 20% earn a living wage within a year of graduation. These trailblazers have the smarts, skills, and experience to land a job that leverages their degree, pays well, and forges a path to a thriving career. BASTA partners with colleges, nonprofits, and employers to build that bridge of opportunity.

The Person

The Higher Education Strategic Partnership Consultant will play a crucial role in expanding Basta's impact within the university sector in Miami, Tampa, and/or Orlando, FL. Leveraging their extensive network and deep understanding of higher education, this consultant will identify and engage key institutions that align with Basta's mission. They will be instrumental in opening doors, facilitating senior-level introductions, and positioning Basta as a valuable partner in advancing career readiness for first-generation students of color. This consultant will create opportunities for Basta to establish transformative partnerships with universities, ultimately scaling our proven approach to career readiness across diverse academic institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy Development
• Leveraging our existing market analysis; develop a strategic outreach plan for each tier of target institutions, customizing approaches based on institutional priorities and key stakeholders.
• Target Institution Analysis
• Build and maintain a tiered list of potential partner institutions, evaluating factors such as:
• Student demographics (e.g., percentage of first-generation students, diversity metrics)
• Existing career services and student success programs
• Institutional priorities and strategic plans
• Funding allocated for student success initiatives
• Alumni engagement levels and career outcome metrics
• Categorize institutions based on potential impact, readiness for partnership, and alignment with our growth strategy.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leverage your extensive network in higher education to facilitate warm introductions to key decision-makers, including but not limited to:
• University Presidents and Provosts; Deans of Student Affairs; Directors of Career Services; Alumni Relations and Development leaders

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in higher education administration, consulting, or relevant fields.
• Extensive network of contacts at the decision-making level in various universities (paying close attention to MSIs, HBCUs, and HSIs).
• Strong understanding of the challenges and priorities in higher education, particularly related to career services and student success.
• Proven track record of facilitating partnerships or sales in the education sector.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Passion for Basta's mission of supporting first-generation college students of color.