Program Director, Major Accounts & District Partnerships

ACT Education•Iowa City, IA

12h•Remote

About The Position

Education has power – a power that changes lives forever. It creates opportunities that lift up individuals, their families, and sparks societal change that echoes through generations to come. From our grassroots we have fought the good fight for equity in education, and we remain devoted to helping anyone who struggles to access that power. This is what matters to us and we must do better -- we’ve never been more sure of our purpose. ACT team members are part of an organization dedicated to a mission that has never been more important: Helping people achieve education and workplace success. Advancing that mission within our organization, by helping our team members achieve education and workplace success of their own, is core to our values. ACT values a diverse workplace and is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable environment in which every team member has an opportunity to grow. We want our team members to have the well-being and confidence they need to do their best work, in an environment where both they and ACT thrive. To support this, our total rewards include company paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision, flexible health and dependent spending accounts, 401(k) retirement savings with company match, paid holidays, paid time off, and so much more. We are seeking a Program Director of Major Accounts and District Partnerships to help us fulfill that mission. ACT's largest and most complex district partnerships require a different kind of leader. The Program Director of Major Accounts and District Partnerships owns a focused portfolio of the nation's largest school districts with responsibility for new business capture, growth within existing relationships, and driving measurable impact at scale. This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who knows these districts, has credibility at the leadership table, and can navigate the full complexity of large-district procurement and decision-making.

Requirements

At least 7 years of significant experience selling to or working within large K-12 school districts
Have an established network of senior district leaders, you either have these districts as current or former clients or you’ve held a senior role inside one; ability to influence and engage individuals at the district senior leadership and decision-making level from day one
Deep knowledge of district priorities, budget cycles, funding mechanisms, and procurement processes
Proven track record closing complex, multi-year deals in competitive environments
Command of the K-12 assessment landscape – policy, competitive dynamics, and how districts evaluate and adopt assessment solutions
Elite negotiation, consultative selling, and executive presentation skills
Ability to gather and use competitive intelligence to create strategies that advance and/or protect ACT’s interests
Ability to work effectively and build relationships with individuals within the organization
Strong communication skills including ability to communicate effectively across all levels in the organization
Strong analytical abilities and the ability to determine logical solutions to complicated problems
Ability to set goals and priorities and manage to completion
Access to a central hub airport and ability to travel at least 25% of time
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business or a related area of study; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with college and career readiness programs, assessments, or related solutions
Familiarity with state-level education policy and how it shapes district decision-making
Experience coordinating across internal teams (product, operations, finance) to structure large, customized deals

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive, multi-year account plans for each assigned district, working with account and program management teams for account support
Lead ACT's response to large district RFPs – driving solutioning, costing, and requirements development
Navigate complex procurement processes involving multiple stakeholders, funding sources, and budget cycles
Advise districts on post-adoption data utilization and best practices to drive measurable outcomes
Inform internal product, pricing, and delivery decisions based on the unique needs and scale of major districts
Collaborate with state partnership and field sales teams to align on strategy, share intelligence, and coordinate on shared accounts
Represent ACT at national and regional events, building and maintaining a strong presence among large-district leadership networks