How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).

What You’ll Do

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) at the University of Michigan invites applications for the inaugural role of Chief Education Solutions Officer (CESO). Reporting to the Founding Executive Director of CAI and Associate Vice Provost and as a member of CAI’s senior leadership team, you will spearhead efforts to address organizational learning and workforce development challenges, leveraging CAI’s cutting-edge capabilities to drive revenue growth, deliver customized programs, and ensure exemplary service and support. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, you will identify opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and deliver tailored educational solutions that empower global learners and meet the evolving needs of industries and organizations. You will forge and nurture strategic partnerships, serve as a trusted advisor to external stakeholders, and work collaboratively with internal teams to align initiatives with CAI’s mission and long-term vision.

Who We Are

About the Center for Academic Innovation

Through curricular innovation, tools for student success and equity, and educational research and analytics, the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation is building the future of education. Our vision is a future in which education connects and empowers learners everywhere to reach their full potential throughout their lives. To realize our vision, we make it our mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong educational opportunities for learners everywhere.

To learn more, visit our website: Center for Academic Innovation

Responsibilities

Driving Strategic Growth and Innovation

• Drive growth by developing and executing strategies to expand CAI’s revenue streams through innovative business development initiatives and strategic partnerships.
• Identify opportunities with enterprise and industry partners to address workforce transformation and talent development needs through tailored education solutions.
• Collaborate with CAI leaders and faculty to design forward-thinking learning experiences that deliver measurable results for learners and partner organizations, ensuring alignment with CAI’s vision and values.
• Partner with other senior leaders within CAI to develop and oversee a framework for evaluating and ensuring the impact and scalability of CAI’s solutions in alignment with partner needs and institutional priorities.
• Achieve measurable outcomes, such as defined annual revenue growth targets, to support CAI’s long-term objectives.
• Champion learner success and workforce development in partnership strategies and program designs.

Business Development and Partnership Management

• Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with enterprise and industry leaders, serving as the primary liaison for identifying and shaping opportunities aligned with partner needs and CAI’s goals.
• Lead consultative discussions with potential and existing partners to address workforce development challenges through high-impact education solutions.
• Expand CAI’s influence through strategic alliances, both domestically and globally, positioning the University of Michigan as a leader in innovative education solutions.
• Leverage customer discovery, data, and market research to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and opportunities for new program development.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Act as a primary liaison between external enterprise partners and CAI’s senior leadership, ensuring seamless translation of partner needs into actionable learning solutions.
• Collaborate with the Chief Learning Officer to design and execute innovative programs aligned with partner objectives, and work closely with the Chief Marketing Officer to amplify CAI’s reach and visibility among key audiences.
• Partner with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer to ensure operational excellence, scalability, and technological innovation in solution delivery. 

Operational Excellence

• Develop operational and economic frameworks and processes to support the scalable, sustainable growth of customized and existing programs.
• Utilize data and analytics to assess program success and align offerings with organizational objectives and partner expectations.
• Lay the groundwork for scaling CAI’s external relationship management and customer support capabilities, ensuring the infrastructure is in place to meet partner needs.
• Serve as a mentor and leader within CAI, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth across teams.
• Seeks appropriate leadership training and participates in University wide initiatives that are offered for leadership teams related to organizational climate and human resource policies that ensure an equitable and respectful environment for team members.

Thought Leadership and Advocacy

• Represent CAI at global industry events, conferences, and forums, showcasing CAI’s thought leadership and innovative solutions.
• Stay ahead of trends in lifelong learning and workforce development, ensuring CAI remains a leader in the evolving educational landscape.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, education, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in business development, corporate learning, executive education, or higher education strategy.
• Proven success in developing and executing revenue growth strategies, with a track record of establishing and managing strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding of talent development, workforce transformation, and the evolving landscape of higher education and lifelong learning.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior executives, faculty, and diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, foster collaboration, and drive complex initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to data-driven decision-making.
• Experience with designing and delivering innovative learning experiences that address real-world challenges.
• Familiarity with emerging trends in education technology, including learning management systems, AI-powered tools, and digital credentialing.
• High emotional intelligence, relational and creativity, and a passion for advancing education’s role in societal transformation.

Modes of Work

The mode of work for this position is Hybrid. The work requirements for this position allow both onsite and offsite work and you will have an expected regular and recurring onsite presence. On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by our center’s policy and domain leadership or by your job requirements.

Must have legal authorization to work in the US.

Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

Additional Information

Salary Information 

Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position and internal equity within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is committed to inclusion in our organizational work, culture, climate, and the products we create. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team as a reflection of our commitment to our work designing equitable and inclusive learning and work environments that are necessary for the university community to make progress on solving societal challenges. CAI draws on each of our team member’s unique backgrounds and experiences to guide our everyday work in the center, and our team collaborates with students, staff, and faculty on projects that center our commitment to DEIJ work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically marginalized by educational privilege, are encouraged to apply.

Organizational Statement on Harassment 

We believe all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and have the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and a safe space for collaboration. Any concerns shared with Individuals with Reporting Obligations in the Center for Academic Innovation will be reported to the Equity, Civil Rights, & Title IX Office to be reviewed and addressed, and the Center for Academic Innovation encourages reporting of any forms of harassment including sexual and gender-based harassment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.