District Partnership Manager, California

Study Smart Tutors•Los Angeles, CA

3h•$85,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Study Smart collaborates with partners to promote educational equity, access, and success by providing a diverse range of tools for students, families, and educators. Our mission is grounded in closing opportunity gaps and empowering communities through high-quality, culturally responsive academic support. Our vision is a world where every student—regardless of background, zip code, or life circumstance—has the opportunity to succeed academically, thrive personally, and realize their full potential. We envision an educational landscape transformed by equitable access, where historically underserved students are empowered through high-quality academic support, strong community partnerships, and inclusive learning environments. Study Smart seeks to be a national leader in educational equity by bridging opportunity gaps and supporting students holistically. We aim to expand the definition of academic success to include resilience, self-confidence, and community engagement. By fostering collaborative relationships with families, educators, and institutions, we strive to create a future where learning is a shared responsibility and success is within reach for all. To learn more about Study Smart visit us at http://www.studysmarttutors.com/www.studysmarttutors.com [http://www.studysmarttutors.com]

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
Minimum 3–5 years of successful K–12 education sales, business development, or district partnership experience.
Demonstrated experience independently leading complex district-level sales opportunities, engaging senior education decision-makers, coordinating internal stakeholders, and negotiating and closing high-value partnerships.
Demonstrated experience selling education services, EdTech, curriculum, tutoring, intervention, expanded learning, SaaS, instructional solutions, or other K–12 products/services directly to school districts with contract closing amounts of over $60,000 in annual contract value.
Established network of California K–12 district-level contacts and decision-makers, with demonstrated ability to leverage existing relationships to develop new business opportunities.
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales and revenue goals.
Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder K–12 sales cycles.
Strong understanding of California public school district structures, decision-making processes, purchasing cycles, and procurement requirements.
Experience with district RFPs, RFQs, vendor approvals, contracts, proposals, and other procurement processes.
Ability to conduct consultative, needs-based conversations with senior education leaders and translate district priorities into tailored solutions.
Strong understanding of the relationship between district priorities, student outcomes, program design, and education funding.
Ability to quickly establish credibility and develop trusted relationships with senior district stakeholders.
Exceptional and persuasive communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Strong pipeline management and forecasting capabilities.
Proficiency in Google Workspace, Google Drive, Salesforce, and other sales productivity tools.
Ability to independently manage a large geographic territory and prioritize high-value opportunities.
Ability to visit district partners throughout California on an as-needed basis.
Willingness and ability to travel approximately 30% of the time.
Self-motivated with the ability to take direction, develop strategy, and execute independently.

Nice To Haves

Existing relationships with California Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Cabinet members, Curriculum & Instruction leaders, Expanded Learning leaders, Student Services administrators, and other senior district decision-makers.
Experience selling high-dosage tutoring, academic intervention, expanded learning/after-school programming, curriculum, instructional technology, or other student-support services.
Knowledge of California education funding, including ELO-P, LCAP, Community Schools, Title I, and other state and federal funding streams.
Experience developing and closing districtwide or multi-site partnerships.
Experience representing an education organization at statewide and regional K–12 conferences and industry events.

Responsibilities

Build strategic relationships with current and prospective California K–12 district partners.
Develop relationships with district-level decision-makers, including Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Cabinet members, Directors, Curriculum & Instruction leaders, Expanded Learning leaders, Student Services teams, and other education administrators.
Leverage an established network of California K–12 contacts to generate introductions, meetings, referrals, and new partnership opportunities.
Develop and maintain a healthy pipeline of district-level opportunities to achieve quarterly and annual revenue goals.
Manage complex district sales cycles from prospecting and discovery through proposal development, procurement, contracting, and close.
Provide outstanding relationship management to internal and external stakeholders.
Conduct consultative discovery conversations to understand district priorities, student needs, funding, implementation requirements, and desired outcomes.
When feasible, travel approximately 30% of the time for district meetings, presentations, conferences, planning meetings, and partnership development.
Attend local, regional, and statewide education conferences and events to develop relationships with current and prospective partners.
Develop additional district-level sales channels and strategic partnerships.
Support renewal and expansion opportunities within existing district partnerships.
Increase Study Smart’s footprint and revenue within existing California K–12 partners.
Conduct strategic outreach through warm introductions, existing relationships, referrals, phone, email, conferences, and in-person meetings.
Leverage an existing network of California district leaders and education decision-makers to create pathways for new partnerships.
Identify and engage key decision-makers and influencers within school districts and county offices of education.
Conduct pre-call research and consultative discovery to understand district priorities, initiatives, funding sources, academic needs, and existing student support programs.
Present Study Smart’s services and develop tailored recommendations based on district needs and desired student outcomes.
Develop customized proposals, scopes of work, presentations, and program recommendations for district partners.
Manage opportunities throughout the full sales cycle, including discovery, program design, proposal development, follow-up, procurement, contracting, and close.
Navigate California K–12 purchasing processes, including RFPs, RFQs, vendor approvals, board approvals, contracts, and other district procurement requirements.
Maintain knowledge of relevant California and federal education funding sources, including Title I, ELO-P, Community Schools, LCAP priorities, grants, and other categorical or supplemental funding.
Proactively develop new district-level business opportunities through outbound sales development activities.
Develop strategic territory and account plans for priority California districts and regions.
Accurately enter, update, and maintain lead, opportunity, pipeline, and partner information in Salesforce.
Maintain accurate sales forecasts and consistently communicate opportunity status, next steps, decision timelines, and potential risks.
Collaborate with marketing to develop campaigns, messaging, events, and initiatives that drive district-level lead generation.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of California K–12 education trends, district priorities, competitor offerings, funding opportunities, and market conditions.
Collaborate with Education and Operations to develop program recommendations and proposals within approved pricing and service parameters, obtaining required internal approvals before committing to pricing exceptions, service delivery requirements, or contract terms.
Serve as a strategic point of contact for assigned district partners during the discovery, planning, and initial partnership phases.
Build and maintain strong relationships with district stakeholders to understand evolving priorities, program needs, and organizational goals.
Conduct regular check-ins and partnership reviews to discuss progress, challenges, outcomes, and opportunities.
Collaborate with internal program, operations, curriculum, implementation, and leadership teams to ensure successful delivery of services.
Identify opportunities for renewals, program expansion, cross-selling, and additional districtwide or multi-site partnerships.
Develop relationships across multiple departments and stakeholder groups within existing district accounts to strengthen long-term partnerships.
Contribute to overall team efforts by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
Collaborate with California Partnership Managers and organizational leadership on regional and statewide growth strategies.
Share market intelligence, district trends, competitive insights, and partnership opportunities with internal teams.