Laila Plair

Highly motivated professional with over 10 years' experience in partnerships, bringing a unique blend of skills and expertise to the field of partner relations. Specializing in relationship management, strategic communication and problem solving within a fast-paced environment. Adept at navigating complex conversations and adapting quickly to change, with a strong focus on fostering collaboration both internally and externally.

Dedicated to providing exceptional support services to partners while passionate about driving positive change. Proven ability to refine sales strategies through data-driven insights, contributing to increased retention and long-term client partnerships

Strategic Account Manager - DeVry University - Remote

(2024-09)

• Proactively identifies opportunities to expand business through a strategic and consultative sales approach using Power BI.
• Managed a portfolio of key accounts, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Engages in a consultative sales process to understand client needs, creates tailored solutions, and presents compelling proposals while negotiating and securing contracts to solidify partnerships.
• Leads development of organizing and executing a business development process aimed at relationship growth and achieving revenue goals.
• Organizes activation events with partners to drive learner interest and engagement, ensuring these events effectively showcase the value of DeVry's educational programs.
• Implements long-term marketing strategies with key client stakeholders to generate events, increase awareness of DeVry's offerings, and boost enrollments.
• Develops value-based partnerships with existing corporate clients while leveraging senior relationships within the employer base to grow accounts and drive cross-selling initiatives.

Senior Partnership Manager - Meritize - Remote

(2022-06 - 2024-08)

Responsible for maintaining strong relationships with clients, coordinating internal resources, and implementing effective strategies to optimize customer retention and revenue generation of SaaS products.

• Established clear performance metrics for each partnership agreement which were monitored regularly ensuring accountability from all parties involved.
• Proven track record of managing a diverse portfolio of 200+ partners, including elite partnerships through B2B SaaS while using consultative approach.
• Initiate the growth of partner school application volume and disbursement levels, managing a portfolio that reached $43.5 million in 2023 and $46.5 million in 2024, across industries including aviation, healthcare, IT, and professional services.
• Developed and implemented analytics management process and industry specific pre-screening process, ensuring successful outcomes for current and future school partnerships.
• Utilizing Salesforce and QuickSight to document communication, track pipeline opportunities, support program and campus expansion and track growth.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, accounting, analytics, operations, compliance, tech and sales team to drive strategic initiatives and improve processes.
• Mentored new hires while facilitating training programs on processes and procedures, improving employee retention.

Senior Business Growth Strategy Manager - Wells Fargo - San Francisco, CA

(2020-12 - 2022-06)

Senior Business Growth Strategy Consultant in Consumer Small & Business Banking responsible for providing consulting, coaching, and influencing across multiple business channels.

• Serves as a relationship manager for key colleges/universities to include decision makers in student and faculty campus events.
• Creates and maintains effective relationships by working consistently with decision-makers and critical internal partners.
• Established onsite events on campuses and staff events with appropriate advocates.
• Provided bankers and partners readiness and effectiveness training.
• Identified and developed opportunities for business and educational partnership expansion.
• Consults with and provides feedback to regional leadership on campus activity in their markets to include performance trends.
• Provides coaching and feedback on market engagements and skills.

Director of Admissions - Chaminade University - Honolulu, HI

(2019-07 - 2020-12)

Supervised the Office of Admissions, including high school and community relations, undergraduate recruitment and services, campus visitation program, and office operations. Fostering positive and collaborative culture that relies on data-driven decision-making and timely communication with other departments.

• Regularly monitor and address performance of admissions team through weekly reports and ongoing performance management.
• Ensure quality hires while managing compensation and performance management programs while staying within salary budgets.
• Supervised in development of coordinated financial aid, recruitment and registration process for new students.
• Head captain for development of Slate software system and implementation of training University wide.
• Plan, create, and facilitate outreach activities while serving as a liaison with other community agencies and institutions, including K12 partners, four-year institutions, and community to promote program enrollment and effectiveness.
• Administer and direct various phases and operations of the onboarding process, matriculation, transfer, and internship process for new students. Developed effective onboarding processes to improve and facilitate procedures.
• Developed and monitored retention program to assess students participating within the educational pathway and partnership. Reports on participating student success, retention, and outcomes.

Assistant Director of Admissions Operations - Hawaii Pacific University - Honolulu, HI

(2018-07 - 2019-07)

Accountable for providing leadership for the multi-faceted operational functions and processes for the Office of Admission; supervises staff; plans and implements technological strategies and processes. Working closely with the broader enrollment team, managing relationships with various constituents across campus to effectively streamline internal and external admissions processes.

• Supervised transfers and evaluations operations department for year-round application cycles.
• Overseen development of TES/Transferology programing and material, while creating and managing transfer webpage and online transfer library. Created and ran university transfer page.
• Developed student services and success programs to ensure student success from initial contact to graduation.
• Responsible for recruitment of pacific islands and western states.
• Planned, developed, and implemented programs and services for targeted student communities.
• Overseen training and development of Counselors, Evaluators, and Student Ambassadors to ensure success in overall responsibilities.

Senior Counselor - Alliant International University - San Diego, CA

(2017-07 - 2018-06)

• Managed applicant pool, utilizing campus administrative software and consistent strategic communication in efforts to encourage applications for admission and enrollment.
• Advised diverse undergraduate and graduate student populations. While managing student success factors such as financial aid, transcripts and enrollment.
• Assisted in development of student success program from first class to graduation.
• Serviced students from initial contact and assisted through education pathway through graduation.
• Proficient daily, monthly and annual reporting through Cognos, Salesforce and Jenzabar for retention and admissions departments.
• Facilitate and lead career fairs and program presentations.
• Supervised new student orientation, preview day, and open house events.

Academic/Admissions Advisor - National University - San Diego, CA

(2015-06 - 2017-07)

• Supported the enrollment efforts of university by providing admissions information to prospective or newly admitted students.
• Generated retention and number building daily, monthly and yearly reports through Oracle, People Soft and SOAR.
• Assisted students with financial aid assistance, transcript evaluation and class schedules including veteran affairs documentation (certificate of eligibility, DD2 14, and JST Transcripts).
• Managed high call volume of leads and prospective students while managing leads and communication through RightNow, CRM, and SOAR.

Master of Science - Counseling - National University (2025)

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology - Oakland University (2015)