Operations / Administration Director, Partnership Development
Job Description
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) is expanding the definition of student achievement in diverse communities across the country. We create great public schools where they are needed most, inspiring teachers and students to achieve more than they thought possible.
Originating over 20 years ago through the collaboration of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound, EL Education’s research-based approach inspires teachers and challenges students, transforming education in thousands of schools and districts across the country through a unique combination of rigor and joy in learning. Our impressive results encompass high academic achievement and college readiness as well as pride in the mastery of complex, authentic work, and the passion and capacity to contribute to a better world.
As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, we work with all kinds of schools: district, charter, elementary and secondary, serving populations that reflect the diversity of our country. We create powerful resources–including an open-source literacy curriculum that has already been downloaded by teachers over six million times–and share an award-winning portfolio of educator-developed professional development and instructional resources with our 150+ school partners in 39 states, serving over 50,000 students. For more information, visit www.ELeducation.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Reporting to the Chief Partnerships Officer, the Director, Partnership Development manages and leads a team focused on growing our partners through proactive engagement and relationship development with school, district, and national leaders. In collaboration with the Chief Partnerships Officer, this role will lead the creation and implementation of our partnership and business development strategy, aligned to our established organizational growth goals. This role also works closely with managing directors to ensure mature partner relationships transition smoothly into implementation.
Ideal candidates possess a deep commitment to and knowledge of EL Education and our core offerings (ELA curriculum and school transformation work).
Estimated travel: 40-50% on average (examples of travel may include: in-person meetings with potential school/district partners, delivery of professional development, internal team meetings, internal leadership meetings with colleagues, select industry conferences to promote EL Education’s awareness, etc.)
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):
Business and Partnership Development
- Work across teams to develop and lead a comprehensive, multi-year partner recruitment strategy
- Conduct market analyses to identify growth opportunities for EL Education partnerships
- Collaborate with Business Planning Team and Partnership Team Managing Directors to make data-informed recommendations on improved internal systems, tools for leads, and prioritized partnership opportunities
- Liaise with the Product and Program Design Teams to ensure the most up-to-date product elements and recommendations are represented to prospective partners
- Partner with the Marketing Team to develop high-impact collateral for business and partnership development purposes.
- Develop a plan along with adaptive strategies to meet quarterly and yearly revenue targets
- Cultivate and sustain relationships with prospects through a consultative approach
- Price and negotiate initial contract terms for multiple high stakes partnerships
- Lead team to respond effectively to incoming partnership inquiries, high potential Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Request for Information (RFIs)
- Lead team to respond effectively to incoming partnership inquiries, high potential Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Request for Information (RFIs)
- Liaise with EL Education’s curriculum distribution partners related to partnership opportunities, RFP response, etc.
- Effectively utilize and update information within CRM tool (Salesforce)
- Cultivate and sustain relationships with prospects through a consultative approach
- Lead the launch of Large District engagements (first 3-6 months of partnership) before handoff to portfolio managers
- Lead and implement the organization’s education conference attendance and presentation strategy (aligned to organizational growth goals)
- Present in a variety of national settings in an influential and inspiring manner—generating enthusiasm among potential partners, education leaders, and other stakeholders that lead to action
Talent Development and Performance Management
- Recruit, support, supervise, and retain high-performing staff committed to growing EL Education’s impact through partnership growth
- Lead annual performance management cycle for the team, including goal setting, midyear/end of year reviews, and ongoing feedback
- Provide direct and differentiated coaching/leadership to staff
- Partner with internal teams and peers to identify cross-training and capacity building opportunities
- Ensure ongoing talent management, bench building, and retention of staff
Other Critical Responsibilities
- Ad hoc projects and other responsibilities as organizational needs evolve
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in the following areas:
Strategic Thinking and Systems Development
- Lead projects from concept to implementation by mobilizing multiple stakeholders to execute dynamic strategies, ensuring priorities are met, and implementing contingencies when necessary
- Develop data-informed solutions, navigate complexities, and build effective systems to create sustainable change
- Cultivate a culture of evidence-based continuous learning and lead change management efforts
Leadership and Community-Building
- Lead with truth, compassion, and commitment to proactively seek and implement feedback while handling highly sensitive, confidential information with respect and discretion
- Take ownership of decisions, hold stakeholders accountable, and cultivate spaces where divergent perspectives create effective solutions
- Provide differentiated coaching and development to address unique situational needs
Storytelling and Communications
- Build differentiated content across platforms that engages a wide range of audiences
- Proactively seek disaggregated data and compelling stories that amplify our organizational impact
Please note these considerations when applying for the role:
- Previous school or district experience in K-12 education strongly preferred.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% when safe to do so including some weekends due to planned partnership development opportunities or internal events as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a wide variety of benefits, including paid-time-off, 403b match, maternity/paternity leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, etc.
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply online at www.ELeducation.org in the Careers section. No phone calls please. Thank you.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AND COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
EL Education seeks individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort. EL Education provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and prohibits discrimination with respect to the hiring or promotion of individuals, conditions of employment, disciplinary and discharge practices, or any other aspect of employment on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or citizenship status, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy and parental status, HIV status, gender identity and expression, status with regard to public assistance, status as a veteran, or physical or mental disability or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision. EOE
VEVRAA Federal Contractor
