Client Relations & Business Development Manager, Department of Professional & Continuing Education

Fort Hays State University is a public regional comprehensive university committed to its mission to provide accessible quality education to Kansas, the nation, and the world through an innovative community of teacher-scholars and professionals to develop engaged global citizen-leaders. Candidates for this position must believe in affordable and accessible lifelong learning opportunities and seek to work in an environment with others committed wholly to this end.

The Client Services & Business Development Manager for Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) leads business development and client relationship management for the PCE unit at Fort Hays State University (FHSU). This position is responsible for business-to business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sales, client acquisition and retention, and representing PCE through active community and business engagement.

The Client Services & Business Development Manager identifies and pursues new client partnerships, conducts discovery calls to assess training needs, develops customized proposals, negotiates contracts, and manages the full client lifecycle from onboarding through retention and growth. This position requires strong sales acumen, relationship building skills, community engagement, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent client projects. The role is essential to achieving PCE's strategic goal of providing tailored training and consulting services to partner employers while ensuring financial sustainability and growth for the unit.

B2B Sales & Business Development

• Prospect and generate leads for clients through networking, referrals, and outreach

• Manage B2B sales pipeline and track opportunities through CRM system

• Conduct discovery calls with potential clients to assess customized training needs

• Develop proposals and negotiate contracts for custom training services

• Lead operational-level partnership development and implementation with economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and institutional partners

• Apply custom training pricing using established frameworks

• Execute sales conversion strategies and achieve revenue targets

• Maintain comprehensive client database and sales activity records

B2C Sales & Individual Learner Recruitment

• Recruit individual learners and provide enrollment services for open/public programs

• Coordinate public program promotion with the marketing team

• Conduct prospective learner consultation and intake meetings

• Execute B2C sales conversion strategies to meet enrollment goals

Client Relationship Management

• Manage client accounts and serve as the primary point of contact for all client communications

• Develop and implement client retention, growth, and upselling strategies

• Create client communication plans and maintain regular engagement

• Coordinate client invoicing and payment coordination

• Manage client onboarding processes and ensure smooth program launches

• Monitor client satisfaction and conduct ongoing needs assessment to identify additional opportunities

Client Project Management

• Manage multiple concurrent client projects and custom training engagements

• Work in concert with Senior Program Development Manager to coordinate project timelines, deliverables, and client expectations

• Track project budgets and ensure profitability of client engagements

• Manage client project communications and provide regular stakeholder updates

• Facilitate coordination between clients, facilitators, and internal PCE team members

• Develop and deliver client programming as needed for unit success

Community Engagement & Visibility

• Serve as the public face of PCE in the community through active visibility and relationship building

• Attend and participate in chamber events, community organizations, and professional networking groups

• Build and maintain relationships with local business leaders and community stakeholders

• Represent PCE at community and economic development events

Marketing Support

• Provide marketing strategy input from a sales and client perspective

• Support marketing collateral development and event promotion efforts

• Share client insights and market feedback to inform marketing campaigns

Professional Development & Association Engagement

• Participate in professional associations and serve on boards as appropriate

• Attend conferences for business development and networking opportunities

• Maintain professional development in sales, client services, and workforce development trends

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in leadership, management, marketing, workforce development, or related field; or 9 years of experience in professional or higher education

• Experience with managing multiple projects and using project management software

• Experience with public relations, sales, marketing, and recruitment strategies, both B2B and B2C

• Experience working with organizations of all sizes and types on projects to increase organizational performance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in leadership, management, marketing, workforce development, or related field

• Experience managing higher education and business/industry partnerships

• Experience with learning management systems and learning experience platforms, as well as various higher education technology tools and integrations across platforms

• Knowledge of customer relationship management software (CRM)

• Proven track record of facilitation in varied modalities (online, blended, face-toface), topics related to human literacy skills (i.e., “soft skills”), and learner types

• Leadership development training/certifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of State of Kansas workforce and economic development agencies and goals or the ability to quickly learn and incorporate strategies for growth of FHSU learning opportunities

• Superior communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills

• Ability to articulate and present information to various and diverse audiences is required

• Strong customer service and sales experience

• Ability to work in a team but also independently with little direction; Self-starter; Highly motivated

• Proven ability to handle multiple complex assignments/projects at one time

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365

• Must have experience with or ability to quickly learn productivity tools (e.g. Smartsheet, Monday, etc.)

• Understanding of marketing/promotion; LinkedIn and other networking platforms

Salary and Benefits: Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications;

To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits.

Appointment Date: Start date to be determined after acceptance of an offer and completion of a criminal background check.

Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Priority Deadline: Screening of applications will begin on May 27, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. 

Required Application Documents: Applicants must submit a (1) cover letter addressing interest in the position and how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate, (2) resume, and (3) names and contact information for three professional references, and (4) evidence of quality professional development facilitation (via reference letter or program evaluations). All documents should be submitted in a single PDF.

If you have questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dr. Kaley Klaus

krklaus@fhsu.edu

785-628-4384

About Professional and Continuing Education at Fort Hays State University:

In 2024, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) approved the creation of a centralized Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) unit. The unit supports operations of microcredential programs at the University and works collaboratively with internal and external entities to develop programs for learners in the surrounding community, state of Kansas, and nation, based on employer and workforce/industry needs. Programs are offered online, live in-person or on Zoom, and/or in a blended format.

Community of Hays:

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination: FHSU is committed to providing equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, employment, services, and activities in compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. FHSU prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its programs, activities, admissions, or employment.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.