Cardinal Group Companies · 2 months ago
VP, University Partnerships
Denver, Colorado, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$140K/yr - $160K/yr
10+ years expCardinal Group Companies is seeking a Vice President of University Partnerships and Transitions to lead their strategy for building and sustaining relationships with higher education institutions nationwide. This role involves managing business development, transitions, and proposal teams while ensuring alignment between institutional expectations and company values.
LeasingProperty ManagementReal EstateReal Estate Investment
Responsibilities
Build and nurture relationships with university decision-makers, auxiliary services, housing departments, and procurement officers to strengthen the company’s reputation as the most capable and collaborative housing partner
Serve as the external face of the management company to institutional clients — translating complex university needs into actionable partnership solutions
Develop and execute strategies that position the company to win and maintain university housing management and consulting assignments through credibility, transparency, and performance
Act as an advisor to the President and executive team on trends, risks, and opportunities within the higher-education housing market
Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all interactions with institutional partners, ensuring compliance with public procurement and higher-education contracting practices
Identify and mitigate reputational or relationship risks proactively; escalate potential issues through proper governance channels
Build and nurture relationships with potential campus adjacent and off campus clients that fit the Capstone criteria for new business opportunities
Lead all aspects of business development, including market research, opportunity identification, lead generation, and proposal development
Oversee preparation and delivery of RFP, RFI, and proposal responses — including narrative content, visuals, and financial modeling — ensuring submissions reflect accuracy, compliance, and respect for institutional tone
Manage and maintain the business development pipeline, tracking all pursuits, conversions, and revenue projections within the company’s CRM system
Analyze economic and demographic data to inform pursuit strategies, fee structures, and partnership models
Oversee economic, competitive, and demographic analyses to inform go/no-go decisions and strategic positioning
Implement and refine pricing and fee structures using financial modeling tools (e.g., Fee Calculator) to align profitability with competitive advantage
Coordinate closely with Legal on contract reviews, term sheets, and master service agreements to ensure risk management and compliance
Partner with HR, Legal, and Marketing to ensure RFP responses accurately represent company commitments related to diversity, workforce practices, and community impact
Participate in quarterly business reviews to evaluate pipeline performance, forecast accuracy, and potential exposure points
Review and coordinate legal documentation (PMA, MSA, Term Sheets, etc.) in collaboration with company counsel to safeguard the company’s interests
Maintain transparent and auditable records of all pursuits, proposals, and client interactions to support institutional accountability and compliance audits
Establish, monitor, and continuously improve processes for RFP workflow, data management, and reporting efficiency
Champion the company’s DEI and ethical-partnership commitments within all business development and client engagement efforts
Lead, mentor, and develop the Business Development and Transitions teams, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
Oversee transition planning for new clients, ensuring a seamless handoff from proposal to operations
Partner with Marketing to shape proposal design, collateral development, and thought leadership that communicates the company’s institutional expertise and adaptability
Coordinate with Operations and Transition Specialists to ensure seamless handoff of new business from development to management teams
Drive collaboration across Operations, Development, and Legal teams to maintain consistency between proposal commitments and operational delivery
Manage the department’s budget and forecast performance metrics to ensure responsible use of resources
Provide leadership and structure for Business Development budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required
10+ years of experience in higher-education partnerships, real estate development, or property management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
Demonstrated experience navigating university governance and procurement processes with understanding of institutional ethics requirements
Proven record of leading business development initiatives that balance profitability, compliance, and client trust
Strong command of market analysis, financial modeling, and proposal strategy
Excellent written, visual, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to represent the company with professionalism and authenticity
Experience implementing or managing CRM systems, proposal workflows, and governance frameworks
Ability to travel regularly for partner engagement, conferences, and team leadership
Preferred
Advanced degree in business, real estate, higher education administration, or related field preferred
Familiarity with FERPA, Title IX, and data-protection requirements within higher-education environments preferred
Integration and national network with multiple Universities preferred
Company
Cardinal Group Companies
The strength of Cardinal is rooted in our identity.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Gabriella Azmoudeh, PHR
Associate HR Business Partner
John O'Brien
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
Recent News
2026-01-06
Company data provided by crunchbase