Director, Partnerships

SimpsonScarborough • Alexandria, VA

3d • $105,000 - $120,000 • Remote

About The Position

SimpsonScarborough is a fully remote higher education marketing agency with approximately 70 employees working coast to coast. The Director, Partnerships owns the full business development cycle for new client opportunities, from initial inquiry through scoping, proposal development, contract negotiation, and signed agreement. The role leads pitches and client-facing presentations, develops proposals that communicate the agency’s integrated capabilities, and builds lasting relationships with higher education marketing, communications, and advancement leaders. It also represents the agency at industry conferences and campus meetings, manages the sales pipeline and forecasts, collaborates with internal teams on multi-service engagements, and partners with the AVP, Partnerships on growth opportunities and sales targets.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of experience selling to higher education marketing, communications, or advancement professionals.
• Demonstrated success independently leading consultative sales from initial inquiry through close, including scoping, negotiation, and contract execution.
• At least 3 years leading pitches and client-facing presentations for a professional services or marketing agency.
• Experience at an integrated agency with multiple service lines; multi-service scoping experience is required.
• Strong proposal writing skills; applicants must provide writing samples.
• Comfort with approximately 25% travel for conferences and on-campus client meetings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Nice To Haves

• An existing network in the higher education marketing, enrollment, or advancement community.
• Experience with HubSpot and/or Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

• Own new-client business development from initial inquiry through scoping, proposal development, contract negotiation, and signed agreement.
• Independently lead pitches and client-facing presentations, representing the agency clearly and credibly.
• Write high-quality proposals articulating the agency’s integrated research, brand strategy, creative, digital, and media capabilities.
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective clients in higher education marketing, communications, and advancement.
• Represent SimpsonScarborough at industry conferences and on-campus meetings.
• Manage the sales pipeline, including tracking opportunities, updating CRM systems, reporting forecasts, and moving deals forward.
• Collaborate with internal teams to scope multi-service engagements and develop proposals reflecting the agency’s capabilities.
• Partner with the AVP, Partnerships to identify growth opportunities, refine business development, and meet quarterly and annual sales targets.

Benefits

• Nationwide health, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with employer contribution.
• Employer-paid life insurance and short-term disability.
• Flexible time off (FTO), plus sick, volunteer, and bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Birthday day off.
• Two agency-wide closures in the summer and winter.
• Monthly lifestyle stipend for wellness-related costs such as streaming subscriptions, gym, or phone/internet.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed