Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships

About CORE Learning 

In 2022, CORE Learning and its parent company, Pivot Learning, merged with UnboundEd to become UnboundEd/CORE Learning. Together, UnboundEd/CORE Learning is now the nation's largest equity-focused professional learning organization. We provide evidence-based, comprehensive instructional and curriculum support to educators and school system leaders in over 40 states nationwide.

CORE Learning (CORE) provides expert digital and in-person professional learning for pre-K-12 literacy and mathematics. Our evidence-based model supports the implementation of rigorous instruction for the language-diverse classroom based on scientific evidence in literacy, second-language acquisition, and mathematics. We work with and support educators and administrators at all grade levels, district personnel, and state education departments to build system-wide capacity for sustained improvement that ends the predictability of student outcomes by race, language, and socioeconomic status.

Role Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, Sales and Marketing at CORE Learning, the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships will play a pivotal role in driving revenue growth and fostering impactful client relationships. This senior director-level leadership position demands expertise in business development with C-suite leaders in school districts, sales, marketing and the ability to forecast and communicate market trends to the overall strategic sales plan of the division. 

The Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships will plan, negotiate, and build on the long-lasting relationships that you bring to the role, along with forging new relationships with government representatives, key accounts, universities, and other potential partners. This position is accountable for relationship management with larger districts, local, state, universities, and national governments and leveraging educational organizations at the senior leader level. The Senior Director will also execute key strategies and action plans to increase sales opportunities. This role will be responsible for reaching revenue targets that are in alignment with the impact goal for CORE. 

UnboundEd/CORE Learning operates as a fully virtual organization, with core business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. This role can be based anywhere in the United States, though the President operates on Pacific Time. Up to 25% travel may be required.

Essential Responsibilities

Essential responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership and Product Development: Develop long-term strategies and seize market opportunities in SEAs and higher education to drive growth

• Lead the development of a comprehensive, multi-year State Education Agency strategy aligned with the organization’s overall vision and growth objectives
• Lead the development of a comprehensive, multi-year University and higher ed strategy aligned with the organization’s overall vision and growth objectives
• Monitor education policies, industry trends, funding opportunities, and customer needs to identify opportunities for product sales  and differentiation
• Collaborate with a team that responds to, and wins, RFPs leveraging opportunities from State Education Agencies and Local Education Agencies

Business Development and Partnerships: Cultivate high-level partnerships and close strategic sales to advance business objectives

• Identify and evaluate strategic partnership at the SEA level to leverage opportunities that align with the organization's program and business objectives
• Develop and maintain relationships with C-suite leaders in key accounts and other strategic alliances
• Present in high stakes sales environments to help close sales opportunities

Market Analysis and Opportunity Identification: Identify new market segments and refine strategies through competitive analysis and customer insights

• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and customer segmentation to identify new market opportunities and target segments
• Evaluate market trends, customer feedback, and industry insights to inform business development strategies

Team Leadership and Shared Services: Lead and mentor cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and maximize impact in the market

Collaborate with and offer insights to the team of RFP responders who  strategically respond to requests from the market to best position CORE offerings

• Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, implementation, customer success and product development, to align program and business development activities with overall company goals

Performance Measurement and Optimization: Utilize data-driven insights to assess and enhance business development effectiveness

• Utilize data analytics and insights to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and optimize strategies for maximum impact
• Present regular updates and reports to senior leadership on the performance and impact of business development efforts

Minimum Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in business, marketing, education or related field from an accredited college or university 
• Minimum of ten (10) years of direct sales leadership experience in the K-12 business space, preferably in EdTech
• An equivalent combination of experience and training will also be considered

The Strongest Candidates Will Have/Be:

• Commitment to UnboundEd/CORE’s vision and core values
• Learning orientation and commitment toward diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Facility with grasping and adding value to the President’s vision
• Expertise in the science of reading, language diversity, including Multilingual Learners, English language variety speakers and dyslexia
• Proven track record of sales and market penetration in K-12 education space
• Evidence of creation and deployment of strategic sales plans for Multilingual Learner, science of reading or cultural responsive products
• Proven experience with successful partnership development, strategic planning, and revenue generation 
• Selling services into K-12 professional learning market with an EdTech focus
• Possess an existing network of leaders within the K-12 SEA and LEA space  
• Ability to analyze data and market trends to identify potential partnership opportunities and their potential impact on the organization
• Proven ability to deliver engaging and impactful keynote presentations to diverse audiences
• Ability to work independently and build strong relationships with colleagues and partners; accurately assess and respond to situational, political, and organizational dynamics
• Strong writing and organizational skills; attention to detail
• Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, Google-based applications, and online collaboration tools such as Slack

Compensation

CORE Learning offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package that includes take-as-you-need vacation time, group medical, dental and vision plans, disability and life insurance plans, and an employer-sponsored 401K retirement plan with a 5% employer contribution with no vesting period or salary cap. This is an exempt, full-time position with an annual salary range of $153,000 with bonus earning potential. A compensation offer is based on relevant years of experience in relation to the position. Because of our strong commitment to equity and growth,  CORE does not negotiate compensation offers.

CORE Learning’s  Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

CORE Learning is an equal opportunity employer that encourages individuals of all ethnicities, racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply for our positions. We are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where all employees are respected, valued, and free from discrimination. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive organization and actively seek to engage those who can contribute to our vision, especially individuals with experience living or working in underserved urban communities.