Summary: 

Build. Innovate. Connect. Lead.

D’Youville University is seeking a bold, visionary, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as Executive Director of Business Programs—a pivotal role for someone energized by building something meaningful, innovative, and deeply connected to the real-world business community.

This is not a caretaker role. It is an opportunity to shape, grow, and elevate Business Programs into a dynamic, future-focused entrepreneurial organization—one that delivers exceptional student outcomes, advances continuous improvement, and creates authentic partnerships with employers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

Responsibilities:

As Executive Director, you will have the opportunity to:

• Design and lead the transformation of Business Programs into a unit with strong identity, market relevance, and national credibility.
• Build bridges between the classroom and the boardroom, ensuring students engage in internships, applied projects, consulting experiences, and employment pipelines.
• Champion innovation in curriculum, delivery models, and experiential learning aligned with workforce needs.
• Serve as the public face of Business Programs, strengthening D’Youville’s presence with employers, alumni, foundations, and community partners.
• Lead accreditation efforts, positioning the unit for long-term distinction and impact.

Strategic Growth & Academic Innovation

• Provide entrepreneurial leadership to grow Business Programs with exceptional impact on the region.
• Develop and execute multi-year strategic and operational plans aligned with university priorities.
• Lead curriculum innovation that integrates real-world learning, employer engagement, and emerging business practices.
• Oversee the launch of new degrees, concentrations, and delivery modalities that respond to market demand.
• Ensure academic quality, continuous improvement, and strong student outcomes.

Community & Industry Engagement

• Act as the primary ambassador for Business Programs with the University and regional business community.
• Cultivate high-impact partnerships with businesses, entrepreneurs, employers, alumni, and community leaders.
• Expand internships, applied learning experiences, mentorships, and workforce pipelines.
• Secure external funding, sponsorships, and advisory board engagement to support growth and innovation.

Accreditation & Assessment

• Serve as the lead architect and champion for business accreditation.
• Design and oversee accreditation-aligned assurance of learning and assessment systems.
• Lead eligibility, self-study, reporting, peer review, and continuous improvement processes.
• Use data strategically to drive decision-making, academic quality, and institutional effectiveness.

Faculty & Student Success: 

• Recruit, develop, and retain a strong, engaged, and highly-qualified faculty.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Support enrollment growth, student retention, timely graduation, and career-readiness.
• Ensure faculty credentials, workloads, and evaluations align with accreditation standards and university goals.

Teaching & Engagement:

• Maintain a teaching role (two courses annually) to stay connected to students and the classroom experience.

The ideal candidate is:

• Self-driven and entrepreneurial, with the confidence to lead change and build momentum.
• Innovative and forward-thinking, with a passion for experiential and applied learning.
• Relationship-oriented, excited to collaborate with business leaders and community partners.
• Strategic and execution-focused, able to move from vision to results.
• Deeply committed to student success, workforce relevance, and community impact.

Qualifications:

Education:

• MBA or equivalent business experience
• Experience overseeing curriculum innovation, assessment systems, and faculty sufficiency in alignment with accreditation standards.
• Proven success in building external partnerships that support enrollment growth, experiential learning, and financial sustainability.
• Experience managing budgets and allocating resources strategically to support expansion and accreditation readiness.

Experience:

• Experience overseeing curriculum innovation, assessment systems, and faculty sufficiency in alignment with accreditation standards.
• Proven success in building external partnerships that support enrollment growth, experiential learning, and financial sustainability.
• Experience managing budgets and allocating resources strategically to support expansion and accreditation readiness.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strategic vision and execution skills necessary to meet university goals of growing a prominent business school
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for representing the school internally and externally.
• Ability to lead complex, multi-year initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Adaptability to the evolving landscape of higher education and business education.
• Commitment to student success, academic quality, and continuous improvement

Work Remotely - No

Work Location: Buffalo, NY

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt

Pay:  $110,000 - $150,000 Annually

Additional Salary Information

The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

About D'Youville University: 

Shaping the Future of Education at D'Youville University

D’Youville University, a nationally ranked private university in Buffalo, New York, is transforming lives through a unique blend of academics and holistic development. Committed to promoting a health mind, body, and spirit, D’Youville empowers individuals to realize their potential, thrive in their careers, and make meaningful contributions to society.

 A Dynamic and Purpose-Driven Community

Located on Buffalo’s vibrant West Side, just blocks from a bustling downtown, D’Youville University is deeply embedded in an energetic, diverse urban landscape. Under the visionary leadership of President Lorrie Clemo, the university is undergoing an exciting evolution, with innovative initiatives designed to meet societal needs, elevate student experiences, expand career readiness, and solidify our role as a leader in 21st-century education.

A Place for Growth and Innovation

D’Youville University offers education across health sciences and business, with a range of degree levels, advanced certificates, accelerated paths, and community-engaged learning experiences. Our dedication to preparing students for successful careers is showcased in our national ranking for social mobility making us the top private university in the City of Buffalo.  

Why Work with Us?

As a D’Youville University Saint, you’ll be joining a collaborative, innovation-driven community committed to academic excellence, social responsibility, and transformative growth. When you join our team, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a university making a real difference—for our students, our community, and our world. Explore the possibilities at dyu.edu.

All job offers are contingent upon legal authorization to work in New York State as determined by the NYS Department of Labor.