EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR PARTNERSHIPS, SCHOOL OF POLITICS, ECONOMICS & GLOBAL AFFAIRS IN MADRID | CAREERS AT MADRID

Overview Are you interested in joining a dynamic and international team of professionals to transform education? IE University's School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs is looking for an Executive Director for Partnerships to join its team!  IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs (SPEGA) is a globally engaged institution committed to shaping the next generation of leaders in public policy, global governance, economics, and international affairs.
As part of IE University's entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary ecosystem, SPEGA advances innovative teaching, applied research, and global engagement to address today's most pressing challenges.
Strategic partnerships are a cornerstone of SPEGA's mission.
Through close collaboration with international organizations, governments, corporations, academic institutions, and civil society actors, the school amplifies its global visibility, deepens its academic excellence, and broadens its societal impact.
These alliances support the co-creation of thought leadership initiatives, joint programming, executive learning, and institutional collaborations that extend SPEGA's reach and relevance on the world stage.
To lead this critical area, SPEGA is recruiting an Executive Director for Partnerships.
Reporting to and working closely with the Vice Dean, the Executive Director will oversee the development, coordination, and expansion of the School's broad portfolio of external partnerships, both academic and non-academic.
These include institutional collaborations with universities and research centers, as well as strategic engagements with multilateral organizations, governments, corporations, and civil society actors.
The Executive Director also supports the development of the School's Executive Education portfolio, working closely with the Vice Dean and the Lifelong Learning Department.
From academic alliances and executive education ventures to public-private initiatives and global programs, the Executive Director plays a central role in shaping and executing SPEGA's engagement strategy, while also guiding flagship initiatives that enhance the School's global presence and institutional growth.
Purpose of the Role   The Executive Director for Partnerships is a senior leadership position responsible for designing and executing SPEGA's institutional partnership strategy with a focus on innovation, global positioning, and strategic impact.
The role encompasses both academic and non-academic alliances, ensuring that the school builds meaningful, mission-aligned relationships that enhance its academic excellence, international visibility, and societal relevance.
Working in close coordination with the Vice Dean, the Executive Director leads SPEGA's efforts to establish, manage, and expand strategic relationships across a broad ecosystem of partners, including universities, research institutions, multilateral organizations, governments, corporations, NGOs, and other civil society actors.
These alliances enable the development of joint programming, knowledge exchange, policy engagement, and executive learning opportunities, among other initiatives.
In addition to driving the partnership strategy, the Executive Director plays a key leadership role in the School's executive education activities, overseeing the design and delivery of high-impact programs for mid- to senior-level professionals navigating complex global challenges.
The Executive Director could also coordinate and supports flagship initiatives such as the Raisina-IE Global Student Challenge and other ley partnership initiatives, ensuring their alignment with SPEGA's broader outreach and institutional engagement objectives.
Why IE University? With 50 years of experience and founded by and for entrepreneurs, IE University has turned business education on its head through disruptive teaching.
We count on high-level faculty who bring real-world experience into the classroom and foster a hands-on approach to learning.
Our Purpose At IE University, we foster positive change through education, research, and innovation.
s a transformative educational institution, we empower students to make their mark on the world.
We provide them with the skills, knowledge and environment needed to make a difference, and they join a supportive and international community that lasts a lifetime.
ur spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship has allowed us to drive change and constantly stay at the cutting edge of higher education.
And through diversity, we have harnessed the power of people while also understanding and embracing the importance of humanities.
Our People At IE we are.
People-driven Change Builders Autonomy Enthusiasts Communication Enthusiasts Knowledge Champions We are looking for a person to join a full-time position in Madrid - IE Tower.
Responsibilities Your role as Executive Director will involve.
Institutional Partnerships & Strategic Alliances Lead the development, coordination, and management of institutional partnerships across academic, governmental, multilateral, corporate, and civil society sectors, in alignment with SPEGA's mission and strategic priorities.
Build and steward academic alliances with leading universities, research institutions, and think tanks to support joint programming, student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, dual and joint degree opportunities, and knowledge development.
Develop and manage non-academic partnerships with international organizations, multilateral bodies, government agencies, corporations, and NGOs to enable executive learning, policy engagement, applied research, and strategic positioning.
Identify and pursue new collaboration opportunities that contribute to pedagogical innovation, global visibility, and the internationalization of SPEGA's offerings.
Represent SPEGA in institutional meetings, high-level dialogues, and partnership negotiations to cultivate long-term, mission-aligned relationships.
Draft, review, and coordinate the execution and follow-up of formal agreements, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Letters of Intent (LoIs), and related instruments in close collaboration with IE's legal department, academic affairs, and central administrative teams.
Oversee the full partnership lifecycle, from early-stage scoping and engagement to implementation, evaluation, and renewal.
Executive Education Strategy & Oversight Guide the strategic growth, diversification, and positioning of SPEGA's executive education portfolio, ensuring its alignment with the School's academic strengths and global relevance.
Lead the design, development, and delivery of open-enrollment and custom executive programs in close collaboration with the Vice Dean, IE's Lifelong Learning unit, faculty, and institutional partners.
Monitor trends and emerging needs in global affairs, governance, and leadership to ensure the relevance, rigor, and scalability of offerings.
Coordinate with key internal stakeholders, including Lifelong Learning, Corporate Relations, Marketing, Admissions, and Program Management to ensure program excellence and operational coherence.
Ensure alignment with IE's standards for quality assurance and learner impact.
Global Engagement Initiatives Direct the growth and development of flagship initiatives such as the Raisina-IE Global Student Challenge, ensuring their alignment with institutional goals and long-term impact.
Establish and grow partnerships with both academic and non-academic institutions to scale participation in global engagement programs and enhance SPEGA's international reputation.
Represent IE SPEGA at international forums and networks to amplify its institutional visibility, cultivate strategic relationships, and support the school's global engagement objectives.
Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management Coordinate cross-departmental collaboration with key internal stakeholders, including faculty, the communications team, operations, alumni relations, and program management units, to ensure alignment and smooth implementation of partnership and engagement activities.
Liaise proactively with other central units at IE University\"4such as Legal, the Office of the Provost, other schools, Marketing, Communications, and Lifelong Learning\"4to facilitate the development, review, and execution of institutional agreements and strategic initiatives.
Serve as a point of integration between SPEGA and the broader IE ecosystem, ensuring that all partnerships, academic and non-academic, are aligned with institutional values, governance processes, and strategic objectives.
Report to the Vice Dean and IE University leadership on progress toward strategic goals, institutional KPIs, and external engagement outcomes.
Qualifications To thrive in this role, you should possess the following qualifications.
Master's degree in international affairs, public policy, business, education, or a related field.
Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in institutional and academic partnerships, executive education, international development, consulting, or related fields.
Proven track record of leading high-impact initiatives and building strategic partnerships.
Deep understanding of global affairs, policy environments, and executive learning ecosystems.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience working in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
Fluent in English and Spanish.
Entrepreneurial mindset with strong leadership, analytical, and organizational abilities.
Commitment to IE's values of innovation, diversity, and impact.
Unleash your full potential and make an impact.
The next move is yours!    If you want to be part of this educational revolution, we invite you to apply and be part of our dynamic team at IE University.
At IE University, we actively promote equal opportunities in recruitment processes and access to employment, always ensuring the absence of gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ethnic origin, or disability bias throughout the entire selection process.