Partnerships Manager

Today, 67% of students and 82% of low-income students can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade. This is when students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, making it America’s number one education crisis. Ignite Reading addresses this by delivering one-to-one virtual tutoring that teaches foundational reading skills—phonics, phonemic awareness, and sight words—to help students become confident, fluent readers.

Ignite Reading’s program achieves over 2 weeks of reading skills growth per week of instruction, with all students—including those with IEPs, multilingual learners, students of color, and those receiving free or reduced-price lunch—achieving outstanding results.

Ignite Reading is a mission-driven public benefit corporation dedicated to solving one of the nation’s biggest challenges while ensuring success for its team and shareholders. They prioritize diversity and seek candidates with lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Your Role

As a Partnerships Manager, you will connect with small-to-mid-sized K–12 districts, demonstrating how Ignite Reading’s 1:1 virtual literacy program can transform students' lives. This role involves a full-cycle sales journey, guiding districts through discovery and execution to ensure tailored solutions for their unique needs. You will work independently but with support from the senior team for complex contracts or pricing.

Ideal candidates are Science of Reading enthusiasts who love building meaningful relationships and are passionate about helping kids access the instruction they deserve.

Key Responsibilities

Generate Revenue & Acquire New Clients

• Prospect, qualify, and close new district opportunities within defined territory parameters.
• Own the entire sales cycle: Discovery → Demo → Proposal → Contract for assigned accounts.
• Meet quarterly and annual quota targets.

Pipeline Development & Prospecting Discipline

• Build pipeline through outbound prospecting, events, referrals, and SDR-sourced leads.
• Conduct structured discovery using the MEDDPICC methodology.
• Run certified Ignite Reading demos once certified.

Account Scope

• Focus on small-to-mid-sized districts.
• Navigate multi-stakeholder environments with structured buying processes.
• Escalate enterprise-level or state-wide opportunities to the Director/VP.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Customer Success for smooth handoffs post-close.
• Support pilots as pathways to broader adoption.
• Collaborate with Directors on complex or high-value opportunities when required.

Qualifications

K–12 EdTech Sales Foundation

• 2–4 years of experience in K–12 education technology sales with consistent quota attainment.
• Experience selling to principals, curriculum directors, literacy coordinators, and school-level leaders.
• Exposure to district procurement processes.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage small-to-mid-sized district opportunities from prospecting through close.

AI-Enabled Sales Discipline

• Active use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, or similar) to improve research, outreach personalization, and call preparation.
• Strong CRM discipline and comfort using tools such as HubSpot and conversation intelligence platforms.
• A mindset of optimization to improve efficiency, increase conversion rates, and shorten sales cycles.

Core Competencies

• Clear, confident communicator who can educate district stakeholders without overcomplicating the message.
• Coachable and growth-oriented, actively seeking and applying feedback.
• Ownership mentality with disciplined pipeline management and accountability.
• Resilient and persistent, handling rejection professionally and focusing on long-term wins.
• Detail-oriented with strong HubSpot hygiene and reliable follow-through.
• Willingness to travel up to 65-70%.

Mission Alignment

• Genuine passion for literacy equity and closing achievement gaps.
• Energy and optimism even in challenging environments.
• Commitment to serving students and educators, not just hitting numbers.