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Avaap · 13 hours ago

Senior Director, Higher Education Industry Strategy

United States

Full-time

Remote

Director/Executive

Avaap is a leading firm focused on higher education solutions, and they are seeking a Senior Director to define and evolve their higher education industry strategy. This role involves acting as a primary authority on higher education trends and translating complex institutional challenges into value-driven solutions, while also strengthening Avaap's market presence and client impact.

Information Technology & Services

No H1B

Responsibilities

Define and lead Avaap’s Higher Education industry strategy and go-to-market approach, aligning solutions, messaging, and pursuits to sector trends, institutional buying behaviors, and client needs

Serve as the senior Higher Education industry expert and thought leader for ERP and Student Information Systems (SIS), advising institutions on how to modernize and integrate core administrative and student platforms across HR, finance and student domains to address enrollment management, financial sustainability, workforce and faculty lifecycle transformation, research administration, regulatory compliance, and student success

Drive differentiated pursuit and sales strategies by setting win themes, executive narratives, orals strategy, and solution positioning

Guide the design and evolution of innovative, higher education–aligned solutions, leveraging Workday and other partner ecosystems to enhance Avaap’s competitiveness and value proposition

Act as a trusted advisor on strategic higher education accounts, leading executive discovery, stakeholder engagement, independent reviews, roundtables, and customer panels

Lead higher education RFP and procurement strategy, ensuring compliance with public-sector requirements, governance expectations, and institutional decision-making models

Strengthen and differentiate Avaap’s market presence in higher education, driving market credibility, pipeline quality, and long-term client value through executive forums, conferences, system-level engagements, case studies, and targeted value messaging in partnership with Marketing

Partner with Delivery, Solution Architects, and Partner Solutions to shape solution partnerships, delivery assumptions, estimates, and methodologies aligned with higher education best practices

Embed continuous improvement and industry learning by partnering with the Customer Experience team to capture deployment lessons learned, success stories, and value outcomes and incorporating them into future pursuits, offerings, and delivery approaches

Serve as a cross-functional connector across Sell, Manage, and Deliver teams, ensuring alignment with Avaap’s methodology, RACI expectations, and long-term client and business objectives

Qualification

Higher Education Domain ExpertiseExecutive Stakeholder LeadershipERP & SIS ExperienceInstitutional Transformation LeadershipStrategic Higher Education ExpertiseIndustry Go-to-Market StrategyCommunication & CredibilityPractice & Talent LeadershipLeadership

Required

Bachelor's degree and/or Master's degree (in higher education, business, public policy, information systems, or a related field) or equivalent experience required

Demonstrated leadership experience in the higher education sector, including work with colleges, universities, or system offices

Demonstrated experience with higher education ERP and Student Information Systems (SIS), including strategy, implementation, or institutional transformation initiatives

Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage senior higher education leaders and translate complex system concepts clearly

Willingness to travel as needed based on client and business requirements

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills along with the ability to communicate effectively

Must be able to perform work indoors and remain stationary at a computer

Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment

Passion for exceptional customer service and collaboration

Ability to work remotely or out of one of Avaap's physical office locations

Current permanent U.S. work authorization required

Preferred

Significant experience working within or advising higher education institutions, with strong understanding of institutional missions, shared governance, funding models, and regulatory environments

Proven ability to work effectively with senior academic and administrative leaders and navigate complex, consensus-driven campus environments

Experience supporting or leading ERP and/or SIS initiatives in higher education, with understanding of their role in academic operations, administrative efficiency, and student success

Experience guiding institutions through complex initiatives such as ERP/SIS modernization, digital transformation, or administrative change, balancing risk and long-term value

Ability to align technology and operational solutions to core higher education challenges, including enrollment pressures, financial sustainability, workforce planning, and student services

Strong communication skills, executive presence, and experience mentoring others within higher education or adjacent environments