Director of Partnerships

Ignite Reading

8d•$115,000•Remote

About The Position

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 the following territories: MO/KS/CO/UT/NE/SD/ND and/or TX/OK

Requirements

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
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
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%
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

Responsibilities

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 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
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
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