Director of Partnerships

Today, 67% of students and 82% of low-income students can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade. That’s when students are supposed to go from learning to read to reading to learn. It’s America’s number one education crisis and we know how to fix it.

Ignite Reading delivers one-to-one virtual tutoring that teaches every student the foundational skills they need to become a confident, fluent reader. We pair students who need extra support with expert reading tutors who provide daily, 15-minute, Science of Reading-based instruction that rapidly closes their decoding gaps. We focus on the foundational reading skills—phonics, phonemic awareness, and sight words—kids need to master so they can decode a sentence. Students in Ignite Reading’s program achieve over 2 weeks of reading skills growth per week of instruction, and notably all students achieve the same outstanding results including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, students of color and those receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Ignite Reading is a mission-driven public benefit corporation. We believe we can do well for our team members and shareholders while we solve one of the nation’s biggest challenges. We believe we will be more successful with a diverse team and are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Director of Partnerships reports to the VP of Partnerships and is responsible for developing and implementing a sales strategy within your assigned territory to demonstrate and sell Ignite Reading's proven 1:1 virtual reading instruction program to K-12 school districts. You will generate new business revenue and acquire new district clients by educating prospects about our solution, conducting effective discovery, and closing deals that expand literacy access for students.

This exciting position on a high-growth, mission-driven team offers a base salary plus commission for quality sales performance. We are seeking Science of Reading enthusiasts with proven sales ability and exceptional relationship management skills who are ready to help kids access the highest quality reading instruction.

This person must have experience with territories in the Midwest: MN/WI/IL/IN/MO/MI/KS/CO/NE/SD/ND and/or Texas/OK

Key Responsibilities

Generate Revenue & Acquire New Clients

• Develop and execute a sales strategy for your assigned territory to achieve quarterly and annual sales quotas

• Generate new business revenue by identifying, qualifying, and closing opportunities with school districts

• Effectively prospect through cold calling, emailing, and social media outreach to build rapport and uncover sales opportunities

• Meet and exceed assigned sales targets through disciplined pipeline management and execution

Educate & Influence Decision-Makers

• Educate prospects and the market on Ignite Reading's solution, Science of Reading approach, and value proposition

• Conduct virtual and face-to-face meetings, delivering compelling presentations to district leaders

• Identify needs, explain program capabilities, overcome objections, and demonstrate how our solution addresses literacy challenges

• Build trust and credibility with superintendents, curriculum directors, literacy coordinators, and other key decision-makers

• Attend conferences and events throughout your territory to share Ignite Reading's impact and expand your network

Manage Sales Process & Pipeline

• Execute full sales cycle from initial outreach through contract signature

• Conduct thorough discovery using MEDDPICC methodology to understand district pain points, decision criteria, and buying processes

• Navigate complex procurement processes and multi-stakeholder environments typical in education sales

• Leverage HubSpot to maintain visibility into pipeline health, sales activity, forecasting, and key performance indicators

• Provide regular updates to the VP of Partnerships on account progress, territory performance, and forecast accuracy

• Utilize AI tools for account research, personalized messaging, and sales optimization

Support Pilots & Implementation Success

• Manage district pilots as pathways to full implementations, expansions, and renewals

• Collaborate with Customer Success Managers and Literacy Specialists to ensure smooth transitions and program success

• Build long-term partnerships that support student literacy outcomes and drive renewals

Qualifications

You'll thrive in this role if you have:

Proven K-12 EdTech Sales Success

• 5+ years consistently meeting or exceeding quota in K-12 education technology sales

• Established relationships with district decision-makers (Superintendents, CAOs, Curriculum Directors, Literacy Coordinators)

• Experience with consultative sales methodologies (MEDDPICC, Challenger, SPIN, or similar)

• Track record managing complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles from prospecting through close

AI-Powered Sales Capabilities

• Active user of AI tools to enhance sales effectiveness: using ChatGPT/Claude for account research, email personalization, call preparation, and content creation

• Experience with AI-enhanced CRM platforms and conversation intelligence tools (Gong, Chorus, or similar)

• Mindset of continuous optimization: you look for ways to work smarter, not just harder

• Comfort testing and adopting new technologies that improve win rates and shorten sales cycles

Core Competencies

• Outstanding communication skills: you educate and influence without overwhelming; you listen more than you talk

• Executive presence and authenticity: district leaders trust your judgment and see you as an advisor, not just a vendor

• Self-directed and resilient: you thrive in ambiguity, handle rejection well, and manage your territory like a business owner

• Detail-oriented: meticulous HubSpot hygiene, accurate forecasting, and follow-through on commitments

• Willingness to travel up to 50%

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

Salary: $115,000 base / $230,000+ OTE (this role is full-time, exempt)

We ensure you have the tools you need to thrive both in and out of work:

• Employee Stock Options

• Medical, Dental, and Vision (80% employee coverage, 70% dependent coverage)

• Short-term Disability (100% employer paid)

• Technology Stipend

• Unlimited PTO + 12 paid holidays

• Professional Development Stipend

• Wellness Reimbursement

• Internet Stipend

• 12 Weeks of Parental Leave

• Voluntary Life Insurance

We believe in building and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all applicants are considered for employment without attention to color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't meet all the criteria – unlike majority candidates meeting significantly fewer requirements. We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested!

We are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a virtual organization with headquarters in the California Bay Area.